The University has been invited by the South Korean government to open a campus in South Korea’s Incheon Free Economic Zone, Larry Nielsen, provost and executive vice-chancellor, said.
The Incheon Free Economic Zone is a $200 billion dollar project the South Korean government has created to build a business, residential, and educational city that is “basically Research Triangle Park on steroids,” according to Nielsen.
The South Koreans have also invited Stony Brook University, the University of Southern California, the University of Missouri and Georgia Tech University to open campuses in Incheon along with South Korean universities Seoul National, Yonsei, Inha and Hanyang.
“We think this is a really interesting possibility,” Nielsen said.
The South Korean government is agreeing to pay for all the universities to take part in feasibility studies to explore the options of opening campuses there.
So far only Stony Brook University has signed the agreement, according to a presentation Chancellor James Oblinger made to the UNC Board of Governors.
However, the University is looking into becoming the second to sign on to this program. On Jan. 8 Oblinger, Nielsen, and Vice Chancellor Charles Leffler proposed to the Board of Governors a request for the University to take part in the feasibility study of a campus in South Korea.
“We hope to get started in the next month, we are just waiting for the papers to be signed by the South Korean government and NCSU,” Nielsen said.
Bailian Li, the vice provost for international affairs, said the plan is for students to study abroad in South Korea beginning in the fall of 2010, and then in 2011 or 2012 to begin admitting local students.
But while that remains the goal, he said the 2012 date is more realistic to begin admitting local students.
Nielsen said the University will not be interested in creating the campus if it cannot be self suffient.
“[The South Korean campus] will come at no cost to the citizens of North Carolina, the campus will be supported by tuition money paid by students taking classes there,” Nielsen said.
Li said the idea behind that is to not put another burden on students.
Li is also in charge of deciding what degrees will be offered at the proposed South Korea Campus. He said degrees in biotechnology, engineering, managment and science are being considered.
“Since it’s off campus, we may develop something new,” he said.
Li said he feels it is important for students to study abroad, saying it may become mandatory.
“A few years ago, a laptop was suggested, but not required. Today it is required by most majors, and we’re moving that way with study abroad,” Li said.
Li said companies are looking for students who can work anywhere and studying abroad makes you more marketable.
“This semester, we began what is called the Global Perspective Certificate that goes on your diploma,” Li said.
The Global Perspectives Certificate Web page said for students to be eligible for the certificate, students must have international experience, complete the acedemic coursework, participate in service activities, and complete a final project.
“Our students need to be exposed to different cultures,” Li said.
Student Body President Jay Dawkins said he is fully behind the idea.
“After I found out that the cost to the University was going to be nothing, I asked ‘What are we waiting for?’,” Dawkins, a junior in civil engineering, said.
Li said 70 percent of students that study abroad go to Europe.
He continued to say while there is nothing wrong with Europe, there is more economic growth in Asia.
“South Korea has a 19 percent growth rate, and Europe has a two precent growth rate,” Li said.
Nielsen said the University already has a strong relationship with the South Koreans.
“South Korea is the third largest supplier of international students to NCSU, and we have about 2,000 alumni there,” he said.
Nielsen also said students have been able to do reasearch at Seoul National Unviersity for a long time. This would continue to facilitate that.
Li said there is a total of 20 global centers proposed for the future.
“If this model is successful, it will pave the way for more centers like it,” Dawkins said.