Signatories from TAR University College and DKU with the signed MOA (from left to right): Ms Kho Sok Kee, Vice President, TAR University College, Datuk Dr Tan Chik Heok, Mr Yoon Chang Yul and Dr Jaedong Lee.
TAR University College, via the Centre for Continuing and Professional Education ('CPE') had successfully launched the Korean Language Centre on 8 December 2015 at Auditorium, Bangunan Tun Tan Siew Sin in Kuala Lumpur Main Campus. The establishment of the Korean Language Centre is part of the collaboration between TAR University College and Dankook University, Korea ('DKU'). The launching ceremony was graced by Mr Yoon Chang Yul, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea, in the presence of Datuk Dr Tan Chik Heok, President of TAR University College and Dr Jaedong Lee, Associate Vice President for International Affairs, DKU.
The event is significant on two fronts. Firstly, the Korean Language Centre is the first language centre set up in TAR University College. Secondly, DKU is the first Korean university that TAR University College collaborates with in its more than 45 years of history.
The setting up of the Korean Language Centre is to provide an avenue to TAR University College students and SPM school leavers to learn Korean language and prepare themselves for the Test of Proficiency in Korean ('TOPIK'), an assessment used to gauge students' proficiency in Korean language and the results are commonly used by Korean universities for admission into their undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.
In his welcome address, Datuk Dr Tan Chik Heok, President of TAR University College, explained the extent of the collaboration between TAR University College and DKU in establishing the Korean Language Centre. "Via this collaboration, Dankook University will provide TAR University College customised and exclusive curriculum of the Korean language courses. In addition, Dankook University will also send one instructor every year to conduct the Korean language courses in TAR University College. At this centre, the Korean Language course will be taught by Korean lecturers and students will be exposed to Korean culture through the close working relationship with the Korean Embassy here in Kuala Lumpur", Datuk Dr Tan elaborated.
In addition, Datuk Dr Tan also highlighted the collaboration with DKU would also pave the way for TAR University College Diploma graduates to pursue Bachelor's Degree programmes at DKU. He said: "TAR University College Diploma graduates would be able to articulate into the 3rd year of a 4-year Bachelor degree programme of corresponding discipline at Dankook University".
Dr Jaedong Lee, Associate Vice President for International Affairs, DKU, expressed his appreciation and how DKU is privileged to collaborate with TAR University College in setting up this Korean Language Centre. He added:" This language course is a great starting point and opportunity for Malaysian students to study the Korean language and experience its rich culture. Through this collaboration, I hope students will play the important role for the development of education exchange between Malaysia and Korea".
Meanwhile, Mr Yoon Chang Yul in his speech congratulated both institutions for this strategic partnership. “Many Malaysians especially the younger generations are very familiar with the Korean culture and I believe the Korean language courses will surely benefit students who are planning to go to Korea. The Korean Embassy will constantly try our best to provide a favourable environment for students to learn the Korean language as well as to understand better about the culture of Korea," he said.
A Memorandum of Agreement ('MOA') was signed and exchanged between TAR University College and DKU to signify the formalisation of the collaboration.
