Kookmin University (President Jeong Seung Ryul) held its 79th anniversary commemoration ceremony and future vision proclamation ceremony at the Academic Conference Hall in the Main Administration Building on the 17th. Approximately 300 attendees, including President Jeong, faculty, staff, students, alumni, and external guests, participated in the day's events.

 

The university unveiled its mid-to-long-term development strategy, “KMU VISION 2035: EDGE”. This embodies Kookmin University's determination to secure a differentiated competitive edge (Edge) within the increasingly fierce higher education environment. “EDGE” represents the values of Entrepreneurship, DX (Digital Transformation), Global (global capabilities), and ESG (sustainable management). To realise this goal ahead of its 80th anniversary next year, Kookmin University has established the vision of “a university setting the standard for higher education” and the slogan “Make the Rule, Break the Rule”.

 

Entrepreneurship represents Kookmin University's unique DNA, embodying creative ideas and efforts to solve societal problems, alongside a spirit of challenge that fears no failure. The university focuses on cultivating students' practical skills through field-centred experiential education, moving beyond traditional lecture-based teaching. Particularly in the fields of design (arts and physical education), automotive, and information security (natural sciences), it is already recognised as among the highest calibre of domestic universities.

● Business Administration major competition ratio 321:1, highest among national humanities departments… Reflecting expectations for learner-centred education

 

Kookmin University's efforts are yielding diverse achievements and positive reputation. Its employment rate has steadily risen, reaching 70.5% in 2023 to rank 9th among major Seoul universities. In the 2026 academic year early admissions, the Business Administration major at the College of Business recorded a competition ratio of 321:1, the highest among humanities departments at universities nationwide. This reflects Kookmin University's educational philosophy of cultivating talent needed by society.

 

DX (Digital Transformation) is a core pillar of the “education system centred on the learner” that Kookmin University strives towards. Starting in the 2025 academic year, Kookmin University introduced autonomous major selection, admitting approximately 30% of freshmen without a declared major. This represents the largest scale among major universities in the Seoul metropolitan area. Students can freely choose from most majors, including those in the humanities, natural sciences, and arts and physical education. This is a distinguishing feature compared to other universities.

 

A proactive transition to digital systems is paramount for smooth operation. Kookmin University has established a “mentor-style guidance system” (K*Smart Mentor) that prevents major concentration issues through pre-emptive data analysis and outlines the learning pathways students need to follow to achieve their desired major. The “Omega (Ω) School System”, which enables students to graduate from their preferred department even if they entered under a different major, is recognised as a distinctive educational programme unique to Kookmin University.

 

● Launch of Globalised Practical Education Programmes

 

In the Global Competence and ESG (Sustainable Management) sectors, to cultivate talent contributing across diverse fields and excelling on the international stage, the university has introduced global programmes (G-PBL, SEA:ME) where students attend classes and undertake internships locally in countries such as the US and Germany.

 

The G-PBL (Global Project Based Learning) programme is Kookmin University's specialised educational initiative, cultivating talent equipped with the specialised skills and competencies demanded by industry through solving problems emerging in industrial settings. Students spend approximately one year residing in the United States, developing into practical professionals with a global mindset through engagement with companies in Southern California and the Silicon Valley region.

 

The SEA:ME (Software Engineering in Automotive and Mobility Ecosystems) programme forms part of Volkswagen Group Korea's corporate social responsibility initiatives. Its curriculum focuses on developing talent equipped with the knowledge and creativity to lead the digital transformation of the automotive industry.

 

Last September saw the opening of the “Asian Olympic Graduate School”, the first in Asia to receive OCA accreditation. Offering two specialisations – “Asian Olympic Governance and Policy (Master of Public Policy, MPP)” and “Global Sports Sustainability and ESG Management (Master of ESG Management, MEM)” – it aims to lead in integrated education combining international sports and ESG.

 

● Eight Key Specialisations Towards Kookmin University's Centenary

 

At the vision proclamation ceremony, President Jeong emphasised via AI video: ‘Kookmin University's 80-year history has always been one of challenge and innovation, and now we stand at another turning point.’ He further urged: ‘KMU VISION 2035:EDGE is not a declaration but a promise of action. Today's innovations will accumulate to create monumental change. Let us all work together to open our university's new future.’

 

The event introduced four major development strategies and eight specialisation areas aimed at achieving KMU's 100th anniversary. President Jeong outlined the four development strategies as: ▲Establishing a demand-driven education system ▲Strengthening research capabilities and expanding industry-academia collaboration ▲Enhancing global capabilities and networks ▲Expanding infrastructure and implementing socially responsible management.

 

President Jeong emphasised, ‘In education, the autonomous major selection system must be firmly established. To achieve this, personalised career support based on AI data and digital convergence curricula reflecting contemporary changes must be strengthened.’ He added, ‘In research, we must expand the scope of our existing strengths in industry-academia collaboration and research, while establishing large-scale start-up funds to secure new growth engines.’

 

He further stressed, ‘To secure long-term competitiveness, we must build the underlying strength to compete with overseas universities beyond domestic rivals in all areas: education, research, and global outreach. The goal of ranking among the world's top 300 and Korea's top 8 by 2035 reflects this vision.’

 

The eight specialised fields identified are: ▲Design & Content ▲Mobility ▲Quantum ▲AI+X ▲Robotics ▲Advanced Materials & Semiconductors ▲Water, Energy & Environment ▲Bio. Kookmin University is achieving significant research outcomes, with government project contracts in AI and bio alone reaching 134.4 billion won this year (2025).

 

A major strength is the notable contribution from the natural sciences and humanities/social sciences faculties, contrasting with the typical dominance of engineering disciplines in professor research achievements. The Department of Information Security and Cryptography secured research contracts worth approximately 10 billion won in the defence technology sector. The Korean Language and Literature Department within the humanities is also making notable contributions. Kookmin University is leading the global growth of Korean language education, providing “Korean Language Education Consulting for Foreign Local Teachers” to foreign educators who did not learn Korean from native speakers. This initiative has educated over 1,500 foreign teachers and learners in Korean language and culture.

 

Meanwhile, the day's event featured the presentation of Merit Awards to professors, staff, students, industry-academic collaboration partners, and alumni who have brought distinction to the university, alongside the unveiling of newly designed academic robes.

 

 

View original text: https://www.donga.com/news/Society/article/all/20251028/132644566/2

 

This content is translated from Korean to English using the AI translation service DeepL and may contain translation errors such as jargon/pronouns. If you find any, please send your feedback to kookminpr@kookmin.ac.kr so we can correct them.   View original article [click]