[The Path of Handong Global University that Transforms the World] - Creative Education Beyond Major Boundaries

Since its establishment in 1995, Handong Global University has been conducting the “Unsupervised Conscience Test” every semester. An exam answer sheet with the words of the pledge of honor written on it, ‘I confirm that I have responded to the test without shame in front of God and man.’ - Provided by Handong Global University

“I confirm that I have responded to the test without shame in front of God and man”

Prior to the exams, all students of Handong Global University (President Dosoung Choi) sign the pledge written on the exam papers. Since its establishment in 1995, Handong Global University has upheld the tradition of unsupervised conscience exams. The sight of exam rooms without supervisors is a common scene during exam periods at this university. Instead, students make a commitment to approach the exams honestly before God, themselves, and their fellow students by signing the pledge. This practice is part of the university’s tradition called the 'Handong Honor Code,' where every student pledges to act honorably as a child of God and as a member of the Handong community. This system empowers Handong students to act with integrity according to their conscience, even when no one is watching.

Handong Global University has a system where meals worth 4,000 won can be purchased for 100 won. It is intended for financially disadvantaged students. Although anyone can utilize it, not everyone does. They choose to pay "100 Won" according to their honest conscience.

Education at Handong Global University is centered around spirituality and character development, community-based education that trains students through life experiences, and convergence education that breaks down barriers. Handong Global University's unique curriculum, called the "Team System," is a special program that cannot be found in other universities. In this system, around 30 students with different majors and academic years form a team and undergo one year of community training together. In addition to attending worship services together every Wednesday, they engage in activities such as discussions, games, and sports during community gatherings.

The "Miracle 100,000 Won Project" is a distinctive program at Handong Global University that combines team activities with social service. When students submit volunteer project ideas planned by themselves, the university provides initial funding for the projects. Throughout a semester, students plan and experience all stages of the project, including problem identification and fundraising, in order to extend a helping hand. It becomes an experience where all community members achieve together. Additionally, over 80% of students reside in dormitories. Handong Global University's dormitories, mainly consisting of four-person rooms, are referred to as "residential halls" because they serve as a place where individuals refine their character through communal living.

Handong Global University's educational innovation is not only about breaking down barriers between the fields of humanities and engineering but also represented by the system where all students enter as undeclared majors. Students undergo a one-year exploration process before choosing their major in the second year. They have the freedom to change their major limitlessly if desired. While it encourages convergence within similar fields of study, it also allows for unexpected combinations of entirely different majors, such as life science and computer science, or industrial design and law.

The undeclared major system and the breaking down of barriers between departments, which began with the university's founding in 1995, have gradually been adopted by other universities in Korea. The educational innovation at Handong Global University is demonstrated by the achievements of numerous graduates. Seong Eun Jang, who majored in design without having held a brush before entering the university, is now the CEO of MATCH. Another example is Professor Tae-jin Ahn, who majored in computer science and life science in the 1990s and is currently the CEO of PortelMyHealth Co., Ltd., a company that predicts diseases based on data.

Journalist Bo Hyeok Lim
Original Article: http://news.kmib.co.kr/article/view.asp?arcid=0924300751&code=23111111&sid1=all

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