KHU signs a high school credit system agreement with Dongdaemun-gu and the University of Seoul

photo: KHU (khu.ac.kr)

On March 21, Kyung Hee University (KHU) signed an agreement with Dongdaemun-gu Office to support the full implementation of the 2025 High School Credit System. It aims to provide local high school students with diverse opportunities for career exploration and help them set clearer goals from an early stage. Through this initiative, students will be able to identify career paths that match their interests and gain more autonomy in making informed decisions about their futures.

Background of the Career Experience Program

KHU provides career experience programs for Dongdaemun-gu students, focusing on the College of Korean Medicine, and expands career exploration opportunities through the High School Credit System. The University has been running a “High School Camp" for students in Seoul through government-funded projects, offering career experience programs related to Korean medicine. However, student participation from Dongdaemun-gu has been relatively low. For this reason, the district has asked KHU to offer more opportunities for students to experience a wider variety of programs. In response, KHU has planned for more opportunities for Dongdaemun-gu students by conducting career experience programs focused on the College of Korean Medicine. 

A representative from the Dongdaemun-gu Office's Education Policy Division emphasized the importance of the agreement. He said, "Dongdaemun-gu has unique regional characteristics, such as being home to Seoul K-Medi Center and the district of traditional Korean medicine, Yangnyeong-si. This makes collaboration with KHU’s College of Korean Medicine a natural fit." Furthermore, Professor Lee Kyung-jin, head of the College of Korean Medicine, stated, "For the High School Credit System to be successfully implemented, collaboration between universities and local communities is essential."

Also, Lee mentioned that this agreement serves as the first step toward such cooperation. The high school credit system allows students to choose their own subjects and earn credits based on their choices. This provides them with the opportunity to take a more proactive role in designing their career paths. Through this agreement, KHU and Dongdaemun-gu aim to help students further develop their career design. The goal is for students to align their paths with their strengths and interests starting at the high school level. KHU and Dongdaemun-gu also seek to support career decisions through practical experiences. A representative from the district’s education Policy Division expressed excitement, stating, "We are very pleased to provide students with career exploration opportunities through this agreement. It will greatly assist students in their career choices and future academic pursuits."

Structure and Operation of the Korean Medicine Experience Program

KHU’s College of Korean Medicine will offer a range of hands-on programs that go beyond theoretical learning. Prof. Lee explained, “Many students have only a vague idea about Korean medicine. That’s why our program begins with an introduction to the curriculum and career paths after graduation, followed by practical activities where students can directly experience the field.” Through these experiences, students can gain a broader perspective on the journey to becoming a Korean medicine doctor and the diverse career options available, including clinical practice, research, and public health.

The program focuses on practical experiences with acupuncture and herbal medicine preparation. In the acupuncture session, students learn the basic theories and principles, then participate in interactive practice using safely prepared acupuncture tools. For the herbal medicine activity, participants make Gongjindan, a traditional Korean herbal pill, by kneading and shaping the ingredients themselves with safe materials provided for the session. Prof. Lee shared his prior experience: “At last year’s high school camp, some students proudly took the Gongjindan they made home to show their parents, which made me realize the program’s positive impact.” Regarding safety, he added that “in the past, we included ointment-making workshops, but due to safety concerns with using heat, we have since reorganized the program to focus on activities that do not require open flames.”

The program for students in Dongdaemun-gu will be held as a one-day event during this summer vacation, as a separate session from the existing government-funded “High School Camp”. To maintain the quality of the program, the number of participants will be limited to around 90, and applications will be managed through the Dongdaemun-gu office or local education offices.

This agreement has paved the way for expanding experiential programs not only in the College of Korean Medicine but also across various departments. KHU plans to broaden interdepartmental cooperation and strengthen ties with local governments to provide students with more diverse career exploration opportunities. Prof. Lee said, “This program will help students explore their career paths and find the direction that suits them best,” adding, “I hope they gain new motivation through a variety of experiences.” An official from the Dongdaemun-gu Education Policy Division commented, “We hope this university experience program will help students broaden their perspectives and reflect on their futures.”