▲CWNU and Mongolian National University signed an international student exchange agreement (Source: CWNU Waggle)

CWNU and Changwon City are steadily making efforts to attract excellent foreign students. Universities located in Gyeongsangnam- do continue to make efforts to attract foreign students to overcome the declining school- age population crisis every year. In particular, CWNU was selected as an International Education Quality Assurance System (IEQAS) in 2016 in recognition of its ability to attract and manage foreign students. In October, Changwon held a, "Foreign Student Recruitment Fair," in cooperation with universities in the city. This is intended to provide practical help to attract foreign students and aid them in finding employment in Changwon. As such, CWNU and Changwon City are promoting regional development by continuing efforts to attract foreign students under mutual cooperation.

In October, the National University of Mongolia and CWNU, signed an academic exchange agreement. Through academic exchange agreements, the two universities will expand mutual student exchanges and joint research. The agreement was signed this year after a Mongolian international student who graduated from the graduate school of CWNU, was appointed as a full- time professor at the National University of Mongolia. Accordingly, CWNU predicts that the influx of Mongolian international students and academic exchanges will be further strengthened. Moreover, In July, China's, ‘Ha In- saeng,’ an alumni of the Department of New Materials Engineering, was appointed as a professor of Material Engineering at Beijing University of Science and Technology, a prestigious Chinese school. Professor Shin Ki-sam said, "Professor Ha In- saeng is an excellent talent and is expected to play an important role in enhancing CWNU's international status, through active research and exchanges between China and CWNU." After graduating from CWNU, foreign students contribute to academic exchanges and the inflow of outstanding international students.

CWNU provides various support for foreign students to adapt well to school life. International students get priority assignment rights to dormitories of CWNU. CWNU's Korean Language Institute, which provides Korean language education for foreigners, offers a 400,000 won discount on tuition fees to foreign students attending CWNU. In addition, in order to help with adapting to Korean life and employment competency, the Korean Legal Education and the Korean Language Proficiency Test(TOPIK) preparation class are being implemented. CWNU’s International Affairs and Education conducts a Global Buddy program, a One-to-One program, a Global Expo, and International Students’ Night, in order to help foreign students strengthen their major capabilities and establish relationships with Korean students at CWNU.

Indian student Ansika, a graduate student in the Department of Clothing at CWNU, said, "Going to a Univ. in Seoul is virtually meaningless for international students. Private universities do not have programs for foreign students to apply to, but national universities provide many scholarships and support programs to foreign students.” Ansika said, "I was able to find a scholarship program called BK21 at CWNU Graduate School, and I was able to get a full scholarship through BK21. I was able to meet people in various industries at the fair where I had to participate in receiving the BK21 scholarship, and I was able to gain experience in the industry as a whole." BK21 is a project to support graduate schools to foster high-quality research personnel in Korea and to foster creative and innovative talents, following the Fourth Industrial Revolution and technological progress. "We have already recommended CWNU to students in India," adding, "The full scholarship program and solid research activities provided by CWNU are quite attractive to Indian students."

International exchanges at CWNU are expected to be further strengthened in the future, as cases of professor appointment and research achievements of foreign students, who graduated from CWNU, are emerging. The strengthening of international exchanges at CWNU will lead to academic exchanges and training of talented students, contributing to regional development through the recruitment of excellent human resources in Changwon, and the connection between companies.

News-gathering:

Ki Dam-soo, Nam Chae-young, Kim Min-seong, Shin Min-joo, cub-reporters

By Kim Sugyung,editor-in-cheif  tnrud2824@naver.com

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