Korean Language Programme opens at Jamia Millia Islamia
New Delhi: Jamia Millia Islamia today opened Korean language Certificate Course to 30 students from this academic year with the university’s Vice Chancellor saying that this course will go a long way in providing employment to students in leading Korean companies besides being pivotal in developing Korean Language education in India and furthering cultural exchange.
In addition to the certificate course, the Korean Language will also be available under the CBCS (Choice-Based Credit System) for students pursuing professional courses in Engineering and Management.
Inaugurating the programme, Prof Ahmad talked about the rapidly deepening ties between India and South Korea and said that the programme would not only equip students with proficiency in the Korean language but also help them in finding jobs in Korean companies.
Prof Ahmad said that the leadership of both countries have made extra efforts to put in place a robust and sustainable partnership in the fields of culture and economy and JMI aspired to be an active partner for further consolidation of this relationship. The huge response to the Korean Language can be gauged from the fact that nearly 400 students applied for 30 seats in the Certificate Course, Prof Ahmad added.
Mr. Hai Kwang Lee, Chargé d’affaires of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea, said that the programme was a significant step in promoting Korean language studies in India. He said that South Korea-India relations are gearing for a major transformation and that his country hopes to “play a leading role in accelerating India’s economic development as its long standing developmental partner”. Furthermore, he expressed his desire to see graduates of the Korean Language Programme not only maximize their employment potential but also play an important role as cultural ambassadors to strengthen the bilateral ties.
Prof. Do Young Kim, Director of Korean Studies, JMI, who is credited to have initiated Korean language programmes in Jawaharlal Nehru University and University of Delhi, said his endeavour would be to make JMI a hub of Indo-Korea relations through the Korean Language Programme.
Those who attended the inaugural function included JMI Pro Vice-Chancellor, Prof ShahidAshraf, OSD to VC-JMI, Prof Sharfuddin Ahmad, Dean of Faculty of Languages and Humanities, Prof. Wahajuddin Alvi, Professor Anita Sharma, Head of the Department ofEast Asian Studies, University of Delhi; Mr. Kim Ki-wan, MD of LG Electronics, South Asia; Mr. Hong Hyun-chil, MD of Samsung Electronics, South Asia; Mr. Ahn Young-jin, ED of Hyundai Motors, India; Dr. Ravikesh, Director of MOOC, Jawaharlal Nehru University; Professor Yoon Yeotak, Professor of Korean Language Education, Seoul National University; as well as the MD of POSCO, MD of Woori Bank, Director of Korean Airlines, and MD of Hyosung.
An International Seminar of ‘All India Korean Language Educators’ was also organised on the occasion on the theme — “Korean Language Education in India and Korean Culture”. Jamia Millia Islamia and the Korea Foundation had earlier signed a MOU for starting a certificate course in Korean language. Prof. Kim Do-young, Director of the Korean Studies at JMI has been sent by the Korea Foundation and will be teaching Korean language at Faculty of Humanities and Languages.