Kyung Hee University

Kyung Hee University (abbreviated to KHU) (Hangul: 경희대학교; Hanja: 慶熙大學校) is a private research university in South Korea with campuses in Seoul and Suwon. Founded in 1949, it is widely regarded as one of the best universities in South Korea. Kyung Hee University is part of the Kyung Hee University System, which offers comprehensive education from kindergarten through graduate school.
As of 2020, about 33,000 students were enrolled in Kyung Hee University. The university consists of 24 undergraduate colleges, 1 general graduate school, 13 specialty graduate schools, and 49 auxiliary research institutions. The university offers a study abroad program in partnership with 434 sister universities in 69 countries.
Kyung Hee University is known for its College of Korean Medicine, which is considered a leading school in traditional Korean medicine and other traditional Asian medical practices.
History
Kyung Hee University originated in 1949 as Sin Heung Junior College, a 2-year college. Amid the financial crisis of the Korean War, Young Seek Choue bought the struggling school in 1951 and had it accredited as a 4-year undergraduate college in 1952. In 1954, the graduate school was established. The college was renamed to Kyung Hee University in 1960.
The university hosted the 1968 conference of the International Association of University Presidents, first proposed in 1981 the UN International Day of Peace, organized the 1999 Seoul International Conference of NGOs, held the 2009 World Civic Forum, ran the 2011 UNAI-Kyung Hee International Symposium, and has spearheaded the Global Common Society movement.
In 1993 Kyung Hee received the UNESCO Prize for Peace Education. In 2006, Kyung Hee and the University of Pennsylvania initiated the Penn-Kyung Hee Collaborative Summer Program and two years later, a formal Global Collaborative with Peking, Ritsumeikan, and Moscow State universities, with the cooperation of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, and the Conference of NGOs (CoNGO).
Symbols
The university emblem is the Chinese character for "university" (it was changed in 2016 to the symbol of a book) and has a world map in the background. This symbolizes Kyung Hee's vision for globalization as well as an open mind and humanism for the world. The university character mark is visualized through the mane of the Laughing Lion, the torch which sheds light on the truth, and the dove, an international symbol of peace. Sports teams and various university promotional products use the character mark to proliferate Kyung Hee's brand value throughout the world. Magnolia is the official flower of Kyung Hee University and the magnolia logo embodies the qualities that Kyung Hee stands for such as resilience, beauty, generosity, and unity.
Academics
Undergraduate colleges
College of Humanities
College of Law
College of Politics and Economics
College of Management
College of Hotel and Tourism Management
College of Science
College of Human Ecology
College of Medicine
College of Korean Medicine
College of Dentistry
College of Pharmacy
College of Nursing Science
College of Music
College of Fine Arts
School of Dance
Department of Global Eminence (formerly College of Law)
College of Engineering
College of Electronics & Information
College of Software
College of Applied Sciences
College of Life Sciences
College of International Studies
College of Foreign Language and Literature
College of Art & Design
College of Physical Education
The School of East-West Medical Science
Graduate schools
Graduate School (general)
Graduate School of Business
Graduate School of Education
Graduate School of Public Policy and Civic Engagement
Graduate School of Journalism and Communication
Graduate School of Physical Education
Graduate School of Technology Management
Graduate School of International Legal Affairs
Graduate School of Pan-Pacific International Studies
Graduate School of East-West Medical Science
Graduate Institute of Peace Studies
Graduate School of Tourism
Graduate School of Art and Fusion Design
Professional Graduate School of Medicine
Professional Graduate School of Dentistry
Law School
Graduate School of Biotechnology
Notable academic programs
Traditional Korean medicine
Founded in 1948 as Dongyang College and reorganized in 1965 into the Kyung Hee College of Korean Medicine (KHKM), KHKM is one of eleven Korean medical colleges in the country, dedicated to the study of traditional medical practice. In 1972 its researchers demonstrated a drug-free acupunctural anesthesia. In 1998 Kyung Hee established the International Studies of Korean Medicine to broaden its reach to international scholars. The following year it established the Graduate School of East-West Medicine Science (GSM) in order to blend Eastern and Western diagnostic methods. The College of Korean Medicine and the Graduate School of Medicine have integrated the two traditions within the Kyung Hee Medical Center and active collaboration occurs between the college and the biomedical engineering department on acupuncture therapy, chronic medical conditions, palsy, and geriatric diseases.
The medical center is divided into the General Hospital, Dental Hospital, Korean Medicine Hospital, East-West Medical Center, and the Medical Science Research Institute. In a 1999 study, the Kyung Hee Korean medicine curriculum consisted of 60 percent Eastern and 40 percent Western research and practice.
Physical education
The Dept. of Physical Education at KHU was set up as the Dept. of Physical Education in Korea in 1949 and became a stepping stone to play a pivotal role in Korean Physical education. It was promoted to the College of Physical Education upon completing the construction of the largest gym in Asia in 1955. The doctoral program was opened in 1980 for the first time in Korea. Currently, five departments are operated within the College of Physical Education: Physical Edu, Sports medicine, coaching, Golf Management, and Taekwondo.
Campus
Kyung Hee University has three campuses. The university's original campus is Seoul Campus (245 acres), located in the Dongdaemun District of Seoul, and established in 1954. In 1979, the university established its second campus, the Global Campus (510 acres) in Yongin, near Suwon. In 1984, the university established its third campus, Gwangneung Campus (12 acres) in Namyangju, just outside of Seoul. Gwangneung Campus is home to the Graduate Institute of Peace Studies.
Facilities
Central Museum
It was opened in October 1955 and later moved to the fourth floor of the central library building in November 1966 when the central library was completed. In 2001, it was registered as the 1st National Museum of Korea (Ministry of Culture and Tourism Registration No. 193) and then recommissioned and computerized the collections and launched the Internet search service in January 2004.
Natural History Museum
Kyung Hee University's Natural History Museum is a museum established and operated by Kyung Hee University. It opened on June 13, 1978, and houses some 70,000 specimens and natural materials such as rocks, minerals, mammals, birds, insects, fish, and plants. Each category includes 1,200 rock and mineral samples, 5,000 bird and mammal samples, 50,000 insect specimens, and 4,000 plant specimens.
Hye Jung Museum
The Hye Jung Museum is the first high-level museum to be established in Korea. From the 11th century to the 20th century, it has the largest collection of materials produced in Korea, including antique maps, lighting, and related historical materials.
Programs
Global Collaborative
The Global Collaborative is a summer program that allows international students to attend classes led by scholars and engage in discussions about global governance and sustainability. The Global Collaborative is co-run by the University of Pennsylvania, Peking University, Ritsumeikan University, and Moscow State University with the cooperation of the United Nations and the Conference of NGOs (CoNGO). Through research, education and modules on global governance, or sustainability and the environment, international students collaborate on research projects.
World Civic Forum
Run as a join initiative with the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the World Civic Forum (WCF) is a global institution that brings together academic institutions, international organizations, civil society, governments, the business sector and the media to create programs in education, research, and practice related to the challenges of making the world a better place to live. Held concurrently with the World Civic Forum, the World Civic Youth Forum focuses youth on contemporary global issues, civic values, engagement, and action.
Global Service Corps
The Global Service Corps emphasizes peace studies in new forms of public service. Launched in September 2010, the effort is placed on volunteering, social responsibility, social services, and regional and global engagement in areas such as rural farming communities, environment protection, and medical treatment of the disadvantaged. The program aims to seek means to address institutional engagement in global problems through research, education and practice, and media. Collaborations are with the United Nations, international NGOs, corporations, and other organizations.
Global Studio Network
The Global Student Network links by the internet diverse institutes and individuals around the world to overcome communication beyond barriers of language and culture. The network works with both local and international organizations to encourage discussion. Previous strands have included environmental issues and conflict resolution with the United Nations and UNESCO.
Global Academy for Future Civilizations
The Global Academy for Future Civilizations is a set of international research organizations dedicated to creating a more humane civilization in the 21st century. The program works with the United Nations and other organizations.
United Nations Academic Impact
The university and the United Nations Academic Impact program seek to align institutions of higher education with the United Nations in supporting the principles of the UN in the areas of human rights, literacy, sustainability and conflict resolution. The Academic Impact also asks each participating college or university to demonstrate support of at least one of those principles each year.
Research institutes
Seoul campus
International Studies of Korean Medicine
Institute for Human Society
Institute of Korean Archaeology and Ancient History
Research Institute of Social Science
Research Institute of Humanities
Research Institute for Educational Affairs
Institute of Legal Studies
Institute for Industrial Relations
Korea Institute of Ornithology
East-West Medical Research Institute
Research Institute of Oral Biology
Institute of Global Environment
Institute of Korean Medicine
East-West Nursing Research Institute
The Contemporary Art Research Institute
Kohwang Medical Research Institute
Research Institute of Science for Human Life
Center for the Study of Languages
East-West Pharmaceutical Research Institute
Research Institute of Clinical Nutrition
Tourism Industry Information Research Center
Testing and Development Center for Dental Material
Advanced Display Research Center
Center for Arts and Cultural Management
International Center of Speech and Debate
Healthcare Industry Research Institute
Age-Related and Brain Diseases Research Center
Acupuncture and Meridian Science Research Center
Impedance Imaging Research Center (IIRC)
Global campus
Institute of Global Affairs
Center for Cross Culture Studies
Institute of Social Science and Policy
Design Research Institute
Plant Metabolism Research Center
Impedance Imaging Research Center
Hye-Jung Cultural Research Institute
Skin Bio-Technology Center
Industrial Liaison Research Institute
Institute of Natural Science
Institute of Life Science and Resources
Research Institute of Sports Science
Institute of Multimedia Technology
Materials Research Center for Information Display
Regional Innovation Center-Components and Materials for Information Display
Rankings
For 2020, Kyung Hee University was ranked 6th in South Korea, 40th in Asia, and 247th in the world, according to the QS World University Rankings. The university's Hospitality and Leisure Management program was ranked 50th in the world in 2018, the highest of all of the school's program areas.
Notable alumni
Politics, government and public service
Moon Jae-in – 12th President of South Korea
Kim Jung-sook – First Lady of South Korea
Literature and arts
Han Su-san – author
Cho Hae-il – author
Jeong Ho-seung – poet
Kim Jong-ok – author
Won Tae-yeon – poet
Kwak Jae-yong – film director, screenwriter
Sports
Yeo Hong-chul – gymnast, Olympic silver medalist
Yun Mi-jin – archer, Olympic gold medalist
Lee Ho-Suk – short track speedskater, Olympic gold medalist
Kong Young-il – one of the twelve original masters of taekwondo
Dai-won Moon – Mexican martial artist, known as the "Father of Mexican Taekwondo"
Park Jong-hwan – former manager of the South Korea national football team
Kim Jong-kyu – basketball player
Lee Woon-jae – football goalkeeper, former member of the South Korea national football team
Park Kun-ha – former football player, and coach of the South Korea national under-23 football team
Lee Jung-soo – football player
Lee Ho – football player
Yoon Kyung-shin – handball player
Entertainment
Bang Yong-guk (B.A.P)
Byun Baek-hyun (EXO)
Cha Hun (N.Flying)
Cho Hye-ri (Wax)
Cho Kyu-hyun (Super Junior)
Cho Yi-hyun
Choi Whee-sung
Do Kyung-soo (D.O. of EXO)
Go Joon-hee
Gong Yoo
Han Da-min
Han Ga-in
Han Seung-yeon (Kara)
Hwang Hee
Hwang Seung-eon
Hwang Soo-jung
Hwang Yoon-seok (Hwanhee of Fly to the Sky)
Im Chang-kyun (I.M of Monsta X)
Im Hyun-sik
Im Jung-eun
Jang Do-yeon
Jang Seo-hee
Jang Su-won (Sechs Kies)
Jeon Ji-yoon (4Minute)
Jo Kwon (2AM)
Jun Kwang-ryul
Jung Yoon-hak
Jung Ji-hoon (Rain)
Jung Joon-ho
Jung Woo
Kang Dae-sung (Big Bang)
Kang Min-kyung (Davichi)
Kang San-eh
Kang Shin-il
Kim Hae-sook
Kim Hyung-soo (Brother Su)
Kim In-seong (SF9)
Kim Ji-seok
Kim Jong-dae (aka Chen of EXO)
Kim Jong-wook
Kim Jun-myeon (Suho of EXO)
Kim Min-jun (Jun. K of 2PM)
Kim Nam-joo
Kim Ok-vin
Kim Seok-woo (Rowoon of SF9)
Kim Seol-hyun (AOA)
Kim So-hyang
Kim Sun-a
Kim Sung-ryung
Kim Tae-ri
Kim Tae-woo (g.o.d)
Kim Yi-ji (Kim E-Z)
Kim Yeon-ji (SeeYa)
Kim Yoo-ri
Kim Young-woon (Kangin of Super Junior)
Kwon Ji-yong (G-Dragon of Big Bang)
Lee Hae-ri (Davichi)
Lee Hong-gi (F.T. Island)
Lee Hyo-ri
Lee Joo-young
Lee Ki-chan
Lee Kyu-hyung
Lee Ok-joo (Tymee)
Lee Seung-hyung
Lee Tae-sun
Lim Seul-ong (2AM)
Min Kyung-hoon (Buzz)
Na Tae-joo
Ock Joo-hyun
Oh Min-suk
Oh Na-ra
Oh Seung-hoon
Park Chan-yeol (EXO)
Park Hyo-shin
Park Ji-yoon
Park Na-rae (Spica)
Park Soo-ah (Lizzy of After School and Orange Caramel)
Park Soo-jin
Park Ye-eun (Wonder Girls)
Park Yoo-chun (JYJ)
Ryu Hwa-young
Seo Ji-hoon
Shim Chang-min (TVXQ)
Shin Bo-ra
Sung Yu-ri
Yoon Doo-joon (Highlight)
Yoon Eun-hye
Yoon Kye-sang (g.o.d)
See also
Education in South Korea
Kyung Hee Cyber University
List of universities and colleges in South Korea
References
External links
Official website (Korean)
Official website (English)
Universities and colleges in Seoul
Universities and colleges in Suwon
Traditional Korean medicine
Universities and colleges established in 1949
1949 establishments in South Korea
Private universities and colleges in South Korea
Dongdaemun District