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School of Architecture Acquires 5-Year Architectural Accreditation


Kookmin University's School of Architecture received the highest level of "5-year Accreditation" from the Korea Architectural Accrediting Board (KAAB). The architectural accrediting system is not confined to Korea but has an international effect as it gives a mutual acknowledgement effect between eight countries joining the Canberra Accord. These countries include the U.S., Canada, Australia, and the UK. By acquiring this accreditation KMU School of Architect made it clear that the school surpasses the highest standard of the country and is an internationally recognized world-class level architectural education institute.

Korea's architectural accrediting system, whose first due diligence for accreditation conducted in late 2006, holds public confidence with almost all of the approximately 70 5-year architectural school/departments in Korea planning to participate. Compared to other education accrediting systems, the architectural accrediting system is strongly effective as graduates from schools without this accreditation will be limited on becoming a certified architect with exclusive rights according to the reformed Certified Architects Act which is scheduled to go into effect on Jan. 24, 2011. Thus, acquirement of this accreditation is important for the career of Kookmin University School of Architect graduates who are recording the highest level of employment rate of almost 90% each year. The school's acquirement is especially more meaningful as it acquired the 5-year accreditation, which is the longest term among validity terms differentiated according to the quantitative/qualitative excellence of each program subject to accreditation.

In order to acquire the architectural accreditation, the KMU School of Architect has tightened its identity as a more specialized architectural education program centered on design; the school has also exerted constant efforts to increase human resources and facilities. The School of Architect is expected to raise its prestige based on this accreditation acquirement.