Abu Dhabi, 18th Oct. 2010 (WAM) -- Dr. Sulaiman Al Jassim, Vice President of Zayed University, announced the official launch of the 'King Sejong Institute' which will be hosted for the first time in Abu Dhabi by Zayed University's International College, in collaboration with Chungnam National University in South Korea.

The institute will offer the university's students an opportunity to learn the Korean Language, and introduce them to the different aspects of Korean culture, and traditions.

The announcement was made today during an opening ceremony held at Zayed University's Abu Dhabi campus in the presence of Kwon Tae Kyun, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, and Dr. Lee Sangcheol Lee, Chief of Language Education Center at Chungnam National University, and Dr. Kim Kihyoung Kim, Overseas Business Accountant of the Department of Planning & Research of LEC at Chungnam National University, and Dr. Dan Johnson, Provost of Zayed University and several officials.

During the launching ceremony, Dr. Sulaiman Al Jassim Vice President of Zayed University, conveyed the greetings of Sheikh Nahyan Mabarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education & Scientific Research, and President of Zayed University, to the distinguished guests and students. He explained that this initiative translates Sheikh Nahyan's directives as he has always emphasized the importance of strengthening and developing bilingual language proficiencies in all ZU students, and the significance of advancing economic, cultural and social relations with diverse cultures around the world.

He added, "This partnership with Chungnam National University allows us to participate in the enrichment of the UAE- South Korean bilateral relations."Dr. Al Jassim explained that the "King Sejong Institute" will have the primary role of teaching Korean language to whoever is interested from ZU's students in Abu Dhabi as a second or foreign language, and in time, the institute will also have an outreach mission to the UAE community, through offering Korean Language courses to businesses and organizations that have current partnerships with other businesses and companies in Korea, or that are planning on establishing future partnerships in accordance with the thriving diplomatic, political, economic, and commercial UAE-Korean relations.

"In addition to being a center for cultural exchange, 'King Sejong Institute' will also give UAE citizens a unique opportunity to experience and learn about the history, culture and traditions of South Korea through organizing and hosting several social and cultural events and public lectures," said Dr. Al Jassim.

Commenting on the work of the International College, Dr. Al Jassim pointed out that the establishment of the 'King Sejong Institute' at Zayed University is one example of the many initiatives of the International College, such as the Korean Language Community School which is hosted on campus every Friday, and the Confucius Institute which is currently under development.

He added, "Zayed University's International College has been designed to enhance and promote the University's international reputation, academic offerings, and academic research and facilitate engagement with cultures and institutions around the world. And we are honored that the South Korean Government chose the International College at ZU to work closely with the prestigious and renowned Chungnam National University, in introducing the Korean Language and culture to Abu Dhabi through "King Sejong Institute."For his part, Kwon Tae Kyun, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, said, "In January this year, Chungnam National University suggested the idea of offering Korean classes for the first time in the UAE at a university. Zayed University took great interest in the idea, and today, after just 10 months, we are witnessing the idea bearing tangible fruit. The College of International and Advanced Studies at Zayed University has been stressing the importance of promoting exchanges with diverse cultures around the world. It is already home to the Confucius Institute and the Center for Islamic World Studies. Its newest member is the King Sejong Institute, which specializes in teaching the Korean language and culture. I believe the Institute's opening is very timely, given the heightened bilateral relations that so happily exist between Korea and the UAE." He added, "As you know, our relations are seeing astonishing growth this year, which marks three decades of diplomatic ties between the two countries. Examples of the stronger bilateral relations abound: Lee Myung-bak, President of the Republic of Korea. visited the UAE late last year, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, paid a return visit to Korea five months ago. Moreover, a Korean-led consortium won the historic contract to build the first nuclear power plants in the Middle East in the UAE."Ambassador Kwon Tae Kyun added, "Building on the strong diplomatic and economic relations, it is also crucial to broaden cultural and personal exchanges and promote mutual understanding between the people of Korea and the UAE. To achieve this goal, what can be a more effective tool than the languages? Although Korea boasts a splendid history and culture of some 5,000 years, little was known about Hangeul, or the Korean alphabet until very recently. Koreans had been speaking their own language all along, but they did not have a writing system of their own until 1446. King Sejong, one of the greatest Kings throughout the Korean history, felt sorry for the people and instructed scholars to create letters that were easy to learn and use.""The Institute, which opens today, was named after 'King Sejong,' to commemorate the great king's noble intentions of creating a written language for the people. In recent years, Hangeul has earned global recognition for its scientific, convenient and beautiful characteristics, and was even exported to a number of tribes in Asia and Africa to be used as their written language," Ambassador Kwon added.

He concluded, "It is my sincere wish that the opening of the King Sejong Institute at Zayed University today will mark a significant first step towards spreading Hangeul's excellence across the entire Gulf region. I also hope that the Institute will grow day by day with vigorous efforts by Ms. Kim Mi-young, the Institute's resident Korean instructor. Ms. Kim brings with her over 5 years of experience in teaching Korean in Korea as well as in Thailand." Commending the initiative, Dr. Lee Sangcheol Lee, Chief of Language Education Center at Chungnam National University, said, "Zayed University was named after the founder of the United Arab Emirates, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahayan. He guarded his people's culture and traditions. He loved his people's life. And just as importantly he was also an advocate for their education. Likewise, the King Sejong Institute is named after the creator of Hangul, King Sejong the Great."Dr. Lee added, "King Sejong created the highly scientific Korean alphabetical system Hangul so that his people could learn to read and write more easily. He also improved Korean culture and made technological advances during his reign. I find it fitting that we have dedicated the names of our institutions to our greatest leaders of education. Our shared respect for education and our priority for educating the people made the establishment of the King Sejong Institute at Zayed University inevitable. The King Sejong Institute will teach Korean language to the UAE citizens and also give opportunities for them to experience traditional and modern Korean cultures. And through the King Sejong Institute in Abu Dhabi, Koreans will gain understanding and knowledge of Arabic languages and cultures including those of the UAE." On his part, Dr. Christopher Brown, Director of the International College, said, "Given the increasingly important commercial and political ties between the UAE and the Republic of Korea, Zayed University is proud to align its offerings to support connections between these two nations. Providing ZU students a chance to learn of the Korean language and culture will help to strengthen these bonds and facilitate opportunities for UAE-Korean partnerships, and as interest in Korean language and culture increases, the Institute will grow to become a significant resource to the United Arab Emirates.""The International College at ZU is enhancing opportunities for students and scholars to engage internationalism. The King Sejong Institute is one example of the University's desire to produce students who are truly globalized in their skills and perspectives," added Dr. Brown.

Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2010.