ANU Leads with Launch of Korea Institute

The ANU Korea Institute brings together Korean studies, research and teaching at ANU ...

23 September 2008

ANU Leads with Launch of Korea Institute

The Australian National University is continuing its' long tradition of leading Australia in education and research on Korea with the launch, 15 August 2008, of the ANU Korea Institute. The Institute, based within the ANU College of Asia and the Pacific, will bring Korean studies, research and teaching at ANU together under one umbrella with the aim of fostering a closer relationship between Australia and Korea and will be headed by Interim Director, Professor Jim Fox.

The launch at University House was attended by Vice-Chancellor Professor Ian Chubb, Korean Ambassador HE Dr Kim Woo-Sang and Head of the Korea Foundation, Mr Yim Sung-Joon.

ANU began its teaching and research program on Korea in the 1960's, and in 1980 became the first University to introduce a Korean language program. The University's research interests on Korea currently range from politics, foreign policy, trade and economic reform to pre-modern history, religion, women's history and literature, civil society movements, film and folklore. The new ANU Korea Institute aims to build on this diverse background by promoting innovative research and intellectual dialogue between Australia and Korea.

At the launch, ANU also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Yonsei University in Seoul that will foster greater cooperation between the Australian and Korean governments to further strengthen education ties. The aim is to provide a framework for the Australian Department of Education Employment and Workplace relations and Korea's Ministry of Education, Science and Technology to exchange information on education challenges and to identify priorities for practical cooperation. Yonsie is the oldest private university in Korea, and its mission is to educate leaders to contribute to humanity in the spirit of truth and freedom.

The ANU is grateful to the Korea Foundation, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Australia, the Australian Embassy in Seoul, BHP Billiton, POSCO, Yonsei University and various Australia-Korea organisations who have supported the establishment of the ANU Korea Institute.

The ANU Korea Institute Endowment Fund, established in 2008, continues to build and welcomes further donations.  Download a donation form.

Related Fund: ANU Korea Institute Endowment

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