KS's Global Insights into Higher Education

Over the past two decades, South Korea, Japan, and China have primarily been importers of transnational education (TNE), with numerous Western universities, particularly from the United States and the United Kingdom, establishing campuses in these countries. Collectively, these three countries have imported nearly 60 educational enterprises while exporting only about 15 branch campuses. This stands in stark contrast to the US, UK, and Australia, which account for nearly half of the over 330 international branch campuses (IBCs) worldwide while hosting around 20 foreign campuses. Japan was the first to experience this influx, with American universities attempting to establish branches since the 1980s. While many endeavors failed, some, like Temple University Japan, have persisted. China hosts the largest number of branch campuses globally, with nearly 50 since 2004, leveraging strategic locations like Hainan’s Yangpu Economic Development Zone. South Korea has also been active in this are...

Transnational Education (TNE) has been a significant strategy for UK universities aiming to expand their global reach. According to The Cross-Border Education Research Team, the UK has 46 branch campuses in 19 countries as of 2023, with Asia hosting the most significant number, including nine in China, six in Malaysia, and two in Singapore. However, past attempts to establish TNE programs in South Korea, such as those by the University of Aberdeen and Lancaster University, have faced numerous challenges and resulted in high-profile failures. The University of Aberdeen's Hadong project, announced in 2015, aimed to focus on engineering for the offshore oil and gas industry. Despite initial support and funding, financial and logistical issues delayed the opening, and the global downturn in the oil and gas industry further complicated the project, leading to its eventual abandonment in 2018. Similarly, Lancaster University’s attempt to establish a campus in Busan began in 2014 but face...

The "Minerva University Effect," which once stirred considerable discourse in South Korea's higher education, is witnessing a resurgence. This renewed interest follows the recent announcement of a partnership between Handong Global University and Minerva, drawing significant attention to the potential synergies between these two institutions. Handong, renowned for its distinctive undergraduate education, has consistently been recognized as a leading institution in delivering high-quality teaching since the early 2010s. Minerva, a university known for its rigorous focus on education, has revolutionized the learning paradigm with its hybrid model that combines cutting-edge digital technology through its "Active Learning Forum" and experiential learning via its "city rotation" concept. Could the union of Handong and Minerva herald a new era for higher education in South Korea? "Minerva Effect" in South Korean Education and Beyond The impact of ...