Dankook University Establishes Material Science and Processing Department in Yantai University
Dankook Establishes Its Name Globally with Opening of Relevant Majors and Korean Classes
“Although Korea has a higher cost of living than China, I will definitely come back to study in Korea because of its advanced studies, good learning environment, and, most of all, because of it offers a promising future for employment after returning to China.”
“I will come to study at Dankook University,’ answered Mr. Wang-Chun-Ja (王天佐, freshman, Yantai University Material Science Processing Major) even before we had finished asking his impression of Korea and the Korean cultural experience program. Mr. Wang is a freshman in Yantai University of China majoring in Material Science and Processing who recently participated in the DKU IKLCP (Intensive Korean Language Culture Program) conducted by Dankook University from last August 1st to 23rd. A total of 9 students of Yantai University’s Material Science and Processing Department, including Mr. Wang, participated in IKLCP. They visited Dankook University not only to participate in the training program for Korean language and culture, but also to check out the school before deciding whether to study abroad here.
Ms. Wang-Suh-Heum (freshman, Yantai University Material Science and Processing Major) said, “I will definitely share stories of what I’ve learned and felt at Dankook University to help my friends’ preparation for overseas study once I return to my school.” She also said many students of Yantai University are hoping to study abroad in Dankook University.
To be Employed by Korean Companies in China, Students Study in Both Universities
At Yantai University, located in Shandong Province, the Korean wave extends to education. About 3,000 Korean companies, including large corporations such as LG, as well as medium size corporations, have branches in regions in Shandong Province surrounding Yantai. For this reason, the number of Chinese university students seeking employment in Korean companies that have entered China increases every year. This means that they will enforce their competitiveness for employment to be hired in Korean corporations by not only becoming proficient in the Korean language proficiency speaking skills but also by obtaining advanced knowledge in major subjects.
Korean companies located in major eastern Chinese cities of Shandong Province like Qingdao, Weihai, Yantai, etc., are very popular among local residents. Because of the high quality working conditions and high wages, many Chinese residents are hoping to enter these companies. There is a growing population of Chinese university students hoping to be hired by these firms as technicians, researchers or office workers rather than as laborers. In such an environment, the collaborative education program between Yantai University and Dankook University is gaining in popularity among Chinese students.
There are two types of Material Science and Processing programs at Yantai University. The first one is a 4-year education program in Yantai University, and the second one is a 2+2 Program which allows students to spend their first 2 years in Yantai University and the second 2 years in Dankook University. In the traditional program, students can take Korean language classes, and over 1/3 of their major classes are taught by exchange professors. In the 2+2 Program, students take classes at both Yantai University and Dankook University, respectively, for 2 years each.
Dankook University is planning to teach Polymer Engineering, Fiber System Engineering, and Chemical Engineering to Material Science and Processing Department students of Yantai University. These courses represent promising majors in Dankook University because of their high competitiveness factor in employment and high future industrial quality. In addition, industries related to such majors are continuously growing in China. Especially, since many companies of related industry fields are located in the Yantai area, these majors are popular in Yantai University. Moreover, when the program was established, majors in these fields received support from the Chinese government and Shandong Province.
