Virtual classes have made it difficult for universities to operate in-person programs. Though some students might not know it, Kookmin University (KMU) provides customized online programs in two areas — academic excellence and career growth — geared toward helping students in a variety of fields.

Academic Excellence
Not everything in life is learned in a typical class. In addition to more traditionally-academ- ic lectures, KMU students engage in self-study, pursuing certificates and taking externally accredited tests to augment their academic and professional profiles. KMU helps its students by establishing several online programs to reflect on their learning needs. The Career Development Support Group recently created a program titled “Online Lecture at Kookmin University” to provide students with free HD-quality lectures on IT and foreign language certification tests. The IT courses can be divided into seven categories: computer use, word processing, MOS(Micro- soft Office Specialist), computer programming, computer accounting, information processing, and OA(Office Automation). There are also six foreign language courses: TOEIC, TOEIC Speaking, OPIC, English conversation, Chinese conversation, and Japanese conversation. Students can enroll at any time between September and December via the Career Development Support Group website.

The Industry Academic Cooperation Foundation has created the “K*Xolloquium,” a seminar that aims to share the findings of KMU professors who research technologies related to the fourth industrial revolution. Students learn about the revolution’s social trend. In September, Prof. Yang Ji-Hyun’s “Technology and Study of Automobile in terms of a Human Being” lecture and Prof. Choi Hyun-Joo’s “Ultrahigh-strength Lightweight Aluminum-carbon Materials” lecture  were successfully held twice. Four additional lectures are being prepared for October and November. KMU students can watch broadcasts in real time via YouTube channel “K*Industry Academic Cooperation” without applying in advance. The program began on Sept. 7 and runs every other Tuesday during the university’s lunch period, from 12:00p.m. to 12:50p.m.

Career Growth
Since so many students worry about life after graduation, KMU has prepared several online programs that address career and employment concerns. The Career Development Support Group ' s “Lifelong Career Guidance Program” is a useful program that is developed with by KMU’ s internal Career Support Center Future Human Resource Research Institute , an external specialized institution, to help students shape their careers.

As the only patented career education program in Korea, this course provides customized career tracks by dividing students by year, and creating opportunities for students to reflect on their interests through three stages. It offers students a weekly program of career-related activities by email and an app “Future Human Resource Research Institute.” “EIR Online Special Lecture Mentoring,” a program co-created by Leaders in INdustry-uni-versity Cooperation (LINC+) in 2020, aims to prepare students to launch their own business- es. This year, the program will be offered on three separate occasions, each with a different aim. The first session will address government planning projects and will take place on Friday, Sept. 24; the second session will address online startup marketing basics and will take place on Friday, Oct. 29; and the third session will address basic startup accounting and will take place on Friday, Nov. 26. KMU students can enroll in the program via the   website until 3p.m. a day before each session. 

These programs are not only applicable to students’ lives but they’re also held online according to the university’s virtual pedagogy policy, and are designed according to students’ interests. Another useful program is the Career Development Support Group’s “Alumni Mentor Invitation Relay Special Lecture,” which was recently held online to increase ease of access. The course is offered to current students and alumni who are actively working, allowing them to share real stories about the workplace. The program is held on a weekly basis for a total of 20 times throughout a given semester. Students can apply via the Career Development Support Group website by Fridays at 12p.m. just before the lecture.

Additionally, Sungkok Library “The 2nd Online Golden Bell Quiz” is scheduled from 3p.m. to 5p.m. on Nov. 19. The contest features some one thousand people across 11 universities in north-eastern Seoul. The grand prize books are “Guns, Germs, and Steel(Jar- ed Diamond)” and “Pavane for the Dead Queen(Park Min-Gyu).” The deadline to apply was Sept. 24. About 110 KMU students applied for the program in two days, expressing a keen interest. Students can watch the program in real time for free on YouTube on the day of the event.
To develop and establish various online programs, KMU is conducting a survey via the “ONKookmin” app. The survey is being sent to students over a period depending on the program.

Lee Seung-Kyu
Cub-Reporter
9414ss@kookmin.ac.kr