KS's Global Insights into Higher Education

In the arena of transnational higher education, South Korea has historically been more of an importer than an exporter. This is exemplified by the array of international branch campuses at the Incheon Global Campus in Songdo International City. However, South Korea's foray into establishing a global presence for its higher education institutions has been relatively recent, commencing in earnest only after 1995, when the concept of ‘education as a service’ was formalised following the General Agreement on Trade in Services. Since 2006, the South Korean government has pursued policies to elevate the global standing of its higher education sector. Initial efforts were centred around exporting higher education services and supporting the establishment of overseas branch campuses, coupled with regulatory adjustments to aid these expansions. These policies have evolved over the years, embodying a more dynamic and versatile approach to global education, and South Korean universities have ...

In an interconnected world suffused with digital media, the framework of governance has shifted, morphing into what is termed as "Infocracy." This concept has not only redefined the shape and form of democratic governance but also extended its reach to the sphere of international higher education.  In his book “Infokratie”, Byung-Chul Han, a well-known South Korean-born philosopher, argues that Infocracy represents a new form of governance in the context of modern informational capitalism. Unlike industrial capitalism, which exerts control through force and oppression, Infocracy manipulates freedom for control. While we perceive ourselves to be free in this world, awash with accessible information, the reality is that our lives are being meticulously documented, making us susceptible to institutional control. It is an insightful paradox that, under a neoliberal information system, power mechanisms operate not because people are aware of constant surveillance, but because they...

In December of the previous year, the Korean Educational Administration Society's conference showcased a fascinating presentation titled "What Attracts Students from Other Regions to Enroll in C University in a Provincial Area?" This topic sparked considerable interest. At first glance, the overarching trend of students crossing regional boundaries within our nation appears straightforward. Firstly, there's a clear trend of students flocking to universities in the metropolitan area, particularly those in Seoul. Secondly, there's the pattern of provincial students attending local universities. For instance, students eligible for prestigious universities in Seoul might choose local institutions like P University, K University, or J University instead, drawn by the advantages of living at home to save on expenses or the appeal of lower tuition fees. This pattern, more noticeable before the current extreme disparities in higher education across regions, remains an imp...

The university tuition policy is a critical issue from the perspective of "Who should bear the cost of higher education services?" It's a significant higher education policy intertwined with many societal interests and a political agenda, drawing substantial attention from educational policy authorities and the political realm. Research on university tuition fees has largely focused on the justification and development direction of tuition policies in terms of educational finance, social and historical interpretations, and analysis of tuition fee determination processes. Some previous studies have used the Multiple Streams Framework for policy formation and change analysis, but they generally rely on the traditional Kingdon model, resulting in a superficial description of policy change phenomena.  Efforts have been made to refine and apply these models in educational policy analysis, both domestically and internationally. This study combines the Modified Multiple Streams ...

The globalization of educational services, spurred by the establishment of the World Trade Organization in 1995 and the General Agreement on Trade in Services, expanded the scope of South Korea's higher education from being predominantly domestic to increasingly international. Post-2000, this shift led to a significant influx of international students into South Korean higher education institutions, marking a reversal from the earlier trend of domestic students studying abroad. This period also saw a steady increase in the number of foreign professors.  Concurrently, South Korea is grappling with demographic challenges due to low birth rates, prompting discussions on attracting more foreigners. The higher education sector is actively seeking to reinvigorate the recruitment of international students in the post-COVID era, with a growing emphasis on lifelong learning and diverse age groups in higher education. University LGBTQ+ clubs' activities have sometimes clashed with tradit...

In a recent exposé by The Hankyoreh, the forced deportation of foreign students from Hanshin University ( reported on December 12, 2023 ) has sent shockwaves through the global higher education community, including many universities in South Korea. This incident glaringly reveals a disturbing tendency to treat international students as mere tools for the university's survival. On November 27, 2023, Hanshin University deceitfully lured Uzbekistani students from its Korean language program onto a bus under the pretense of collecting their Alien Registration Cards, only to transport them to Incheon International Airport for forced repatriation, according to the report.  The response from migrant rights groups has been swift, demanding thorough investigations and lodging complaints with the National Human Rights Commission. Yet, both the immigration office and Hanshin University seem to be caught in a blame-shifting loop, with a glaring absence of institutional accountability and human...

In today's rapidly evolving educational landscape, the integration of educational technology (EdTech) has become a global phenomenon. My part-time role as a special reporter at the Korea Education and Research Information Service since May 2023 has provided me with valuable insights into the far-reaching influence of EdTech. This article aims to delve into key observations, highlighting its impact beyond borders. Transnational Tech Innovation One of the most striking trends is the transcendence of EdTech innovations across national boundaries. Technological advancements originating in specific countries or organizations now possess the power to effect substantial global change. As the saying goes, "Today is correct, but tomorrow may not be," emphasizing the imperative for rapid adaptability in the face of an ultra-fast-shifting EdTech landscape. Furthermore, the increasing interconnectedness of the world has enabled the swift dissemination of EdTech innovations. With the ...