UI: Development of Korean Language & Culture Study Programme is a Long-term Investment
The Korean Language and Culture Study Programme, under the Faculty of Humanities (FIB) at the University of Indonesia (UI), is an initiative designed to meet the demand for learning and research that connects language and culture with technology, diplomacy, international relations, and the professional world.
Speaking at the UI Depok campus on Wednesday, the Dean of FIB UI, Untung Yuxtono, stated that the development of the Korean programme at UI since 2006 was an academic decision aligned with the changing global landscape.
“At that time, South Korea was strengthening its position as an economic and industrial power. The nation subsequently evolved into a global cultural powerhouse,” said Untung Yuwono.
He continued that the decision made by FIB UI two decades ago to develop the Korean programme has proven to be an appropriate long-term academic investment. “We are not merely anticipating the Korean Wave, but also building critical and contextual academic capacity,” he added.
While the programme initially faced limitations regarding local teaching staff, it now boasts nine permanent lecturers—eight of whom hold doctoral degrees—alongside four part-time lecturers. This expansion aims to produce graduates capable of bridging linguistic and cultural differences, particularly within work environments involving Korean companies operating in Indonesia.
According to Lee Kang Hyun, President of the Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Indonesia (KOCHAM Indonesia), proficiency in the Korean language and an understanding of its culture can strengthen the relationship between universities and the industrial sector.
Meanwhile, Lee Sang Hoon, Director of the Korea Foundation Jakarta Office, described students and alumni of the Korean programme as ‘living bridges’ who play a role in fostering understanding and friendship between the people of Indonesia and South Korea. As the relationship between Indonesia and South Korea continues to expand, the Korean programme is expected to increasingly respond to contemporary issues.