Ascendancy of the "Minerva Effect" in South Korean Higher Education and Beyond

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 the "Minerva Effect" in South Korea can be discussed through various lenses, notably through media coverage over the past decade. Analysis reveals a significant spike in media mentions related to Minerva starting in 2016, peaking at around 140 articles in 2019. Although there was a brief decline, interest surged again from 2021 to 2023, with approximately 180 mentions. This trend is likely influenced by the public attention garnered by Taejae University, often dubbed the "Korean Minerva." A keyword analysis indicates a high correlation between mentions of Minerva and Taejae University. Notably, media exposure soared to around 250 instances last year as Taejae University prepared to open, reigniting interest in Minerva. Considering both the documented media coverage and the undetected word-of-mouth effects, it is evident that the "Minerva Effect" has deeply penetrated South Korean educational discourse.

Minerva Project's client base extends beyond the United States (including institutions like UC Berkeley School of Law, University of Miami, and Bentley University) to countries such as Japan, Mexico, Peru, Ecuador, Spain, Switzerland, and the UAE. Prior to its contract with Handong, Minerva had two Asian partners: the University of Tokyo and Korea Institute of Energy Technology (KENTECH). In June 2023, the Minerva Project released a white paper showcasing KENTECH's successful integration of Minerva's methodologies. Celebrating this achievement, KENTECH was recognized as a prime example of educational innovation, further cementing the "Minerva Effect."

Minerva's Unique Innovations

It is crucial to distinguish between the "Minerva Project" and "Minerva University." The former, leveraging advanced ed-tech, offers optimized educational solutions as a software-as-a-service provider. Established in collaboration with Keck Graduate Institute (part of the Claremont Colleges) in 2013, Minerva Schools at KGI began offering accredited educational programs. After years of preparation, Minerva University gained official recognition from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges in 2021. The Minerva Project continues to thrive as a commercial enterprise, expanding its influence by selling its proprietary online learning platform and pedagogical methods to numerous universities and institutions globally.

A common misconception about Minerva is that it is merely a "campus-less" or "digital university." This is only partially accurate, as experiential learning in seven global cities is as integral to Minerva's educational model as its online courses. Minerva aims to cultivate practical knowledge through a virtuous cycle of curricular digital instruction and co/extracurricular learning. The residential college model, where students live and learn together in designated city residences, is also pivotal. Each city has dedicated staff under the supervision of the Dean of Students based in San Francisco, ensuring effective integration of offline experiences with digital infrastructure. Furthermore, Minerva commercializes its research on incorporating experiential learning into curricula, offering these insights as intellectual property to its clients.

Minerva's innovations include a digital learning platform, a global city rotation model that transcends traditional international or transnational education frameworks, private sector collaboration for revenue generation, and lean management through flexible employment policies. However, beneath these visible innovations lies a distinct American philosophical and theoretical foundation. Founders Ben Nelson and Stephen Kosslyn, in their book "Building the Intentional University," emphasize Minerva's roots in the American belief that education is an equalizer, offering opportunities to all. Their concept of practical knowledge is deeply rooted in the functionalist tradition of late 19th-century American education, as epitomized by John Dewey.

Reflection on Increasing Impact

Minerva's global influence is recently underscored again by significant investment of the $50 million from the Nippon Foundation, enabling Tokyo's inclusion in the city rotation. This expansion should be analyzed from the perspectives of global higher education hegemony and international relations. South Korea, having frequently cited Minerva and even creating a clone named Taejae University, must reflect on whether it has merely chased Minerva's reputation as the "most innovative university in the world" without fully engaging with the profound impact of Minerva's transglobal hybrid higher learning model. Only through this deeper engagement can one truly claim to holistically understand the "Minerva Univerity Effect."

*This is an English translation of the Korean article published in the University News Network in June 2024. For the original article, please visit https://news.unn.net/news/articleView.html?idxno=564387.