1. What is ‘Tearing Down the Invisible Walls among Majors’?
The term ‘Tearing Down the Invisible Walls among Majors’ does not mean eliminating existing majors, but rather making it easier to change majors or study another major in addition to a student’s current major. Through ‘Tearing Down the Invisible Walls among Majors,’ students can explore career possibilities through their studies and various activities and experiences. This concept aims to grow students into responsible citizens who contribute to society by continuously developing the future value of their lives.
2. Background of Implementing the ‘Tearing Down the Invisible Walls among Majors’
In the next 20 years, admission resources are expected to decrease by nearly half compared to the present, and the number of universities on the verge of extinction is expected to continue to increase. In addition, with the rapid development of technology and knowledge and the advancement of the industrial complex, the existing university department system feels limited in fostering the human resources needed by society. In order to foster talents suitable for social demands, ‘Tearing Down the Invisible Walls among Majors’ is being implemented as a key initiative for university reform that will create a flexible academic structure that reorganizes the current-centered academic structure and curriculums.
3. KU’s Efforts for ‘Tearing Down the Invisible Walls among Majors’
First, ‘Tearing Down the Invisible Walls among Majors’ creates a flexible university that breaks the boundaries inside and outside the university. It promotes the opening of university governance so that universities can actively respond to changes in local industries and society and quickly reflect external demands. In addition, teaching and learning, such as problem-solving project classes, become diversified so that universities can act as a base for producing and creating innovative knowledge needed by society. Departments are divided into computer science, mechanical engineering, and bioengineering majors, with the aim being to conduct convergence education within them. There are about 40 departments, but classes are freely available regardless of their major, and most of the classes are conducted mainly on practice and team projects.
Furthermore, KU is conducting a Convergence Composite Major, which is divided into three areas: Linked Major, Convergence Major, and Student Design Major. The term ‘Linked Major’ means a major course organized in connection with the curriculum of two or more departments. ‘Convergence Major’ is a new field of curriculum in response to the anticipated needs of society in the future. It can be seen as a major course composed by converging existing curriculum and new fields. ‘Student Design Major’ is a major course designed by a student by combining two or more major courses. These three methods have the advantage of allowing students to learn in-depth about their desired field.
Next, KU is switching to online classes to implement block scheduling and prevent conflicts between courses in other majors. To help students take courses suitable for their desired career paths, the university has adopted a modular education system in all departments. This system allows students to complete the minimum required courses and, after a year of exploring various majors and taking general curriculum, makes it easy for them to choose their majors. Although this approach is not immediately feasible for the entire university, it is expected to be expanded in the future after being implemented in a specific department or faculty as a pilot project.
Finally, KU is expanding the concept of ‘Tearing Down the Invisible Walls among Majors’ to foreign students. It provides foreign exchange students with the same education program and further strengthens educational opportunities for them. KU would like to hold workshops or special lectures on topics related to major subjects to provide opportunities for students to learn in depth. For example, KU is activating customized support for foreign students, such as tutoring and translation services to help them study in a foreign language. As such, KU is making great efforts to help students decide their majors comfortably.
