Korean Language Class debuts at UMak IAD
The Institute of Arts and Design (IAD) held the first Korean language class at UMak on Friday, Aug. 16,2024 as the first week of the academic school year began.
Native Korean Instructor Lee Byeong Cheol was all smiles as he introduced Hangul, the Korean alphabet, and engaged students with interactive activities designed for enjoyable and effective learning.
UMak formalized the partnership with Fortune Star Education and Scholarship Foundation, Inc. to integrate free Korean language courses into the IAD curriculum, through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed last Aug. 8 by UMak President Elyxzur Ramos and Fortune Star Founder and Chairman Lee Charles. The signing was witnessed by UMak University Secretary Juvy Hemosura and Fortune Star Founder and Chief Executive Officer Joshua Shim.
Others present from UMak during the MOA signing were IAD Department Chair Rosa Wanda Motomal, Center for Linkages and Placement Director Cynthia Margaretta Jose with Diana Marie Bolo, and Center for International and Global Affairs (CIGA) Director Camille Navarro with April Cercado and Alex Lean Andrion. Daniel Lee from Fortune Star was also present.
For the initial run this semester, a beginner course is being offered to IAD students of Communication. The succeeding classes will include intermediate and advanced scholarship courses. Other possible areas of collaboration involve cultural and language exchange seminars and activities, academic conferences, other language instruction programs, and sharing of teaching and technology materials.
With no let-up in the Korean wave global phenomena, more and more young Filipinos are showing curiosity and interest in the Korean language. Fortune Star is more than willing to offer these training lectures and courses free of charge, allowing UMak students to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the Korean language and culture beyond K-pop.
Fortune Star is a South Korean company that facilitates and strengthens the cooperation between Philippine and Korean universities through its Bokseong Education Scholarship Association in the Philippines. By promoting academic and cultural exchanges between students and faculty, it seeks to improve the education systems of both countries and contribute significantly to the growth of global citizenship (Source: https://www.fortunestaredu.com/).
Early this year, Fortune Star paved the way for the rekindling of the academe-to-academe partnership between UMak and Dong-Eui University (DEU), a Busan-based university touted as “a hub of global leader education beyond the region.” UMak, through the College of Continuing, Advanced and Professional Studies, and DEU will jointly develop an Academic Management Program for business executives and professionals. Fortune Star served as the authorized agent of DEU in the Philippines.
Other partnerships in the works between Fortune Star and UMak include a comprehensive culture and the arts collaboration on artistic endeavors, cultural initiatives, and educational content with the Center for Culture and the Arts, and more academe-to-academe cooperation between Korean higher education institutions and the other UMak colleges and CIGA.
Written by: Cynthia Margaretta R. Jose
