The institution traces its origins to the historic Sungkyunkwan founded in 1398 in central Seoul.[6] As the foremost educational institution during the Joseon period, it was governed by the great code of the state administration[7] with royal assent.[8] By a resolution of the Confucian scholars, it was restructured as a comprehensive university in the mid-20th century, and has since greatly expanded its academic offerings.
Sungkyunkwan was established in 1398 and became the most prestigious educational institution in Joseon. Its name means "to make" (성; 成; seong), "harmonious society" (균; 均; gyun), "institute" (관; 館; gwan).[9]
The school focused on in-depth study of the Chinese classics, Confucian canon, and contemporary literature; and on how to apply knowledge to governing the nation and to understanding the nature of humanity. It also served as a shrine (see Munmyo) to Confucian sages, and rituals were held regularly to honor them and their teachings.[citation needed]
The school was located within the city walls of Hanseong (modern-day Seoul), Korea's capital during the Joseon Dynasty. It followed the example of the Goryeo-period Gukjagam, which in its latter years was also known by the name "Sungkyunkwan".[citation needed]
Numerous Korean historical figures, including Yi Hwang and Yi I, studied at and graduated from Sungkyunkwan. A considerable amount of Korean literature and works of Hanja calligraphy were created and archived by Sungkyunkwan scholars over the centuries.[citation needed]
The history of Sungkyunkwan University can be divided into the ancient university, modern university, and contemporary university eras.[citation needed]
Ancient University Era (1398–1894)
During the ancient university era, traditional Confucian education was practiced.
From the establishment of Sungkyunkwan during the reign of King Taejo to the time of King Seongjong, buildings were constructed, systems were established, operating policies were effected, and the school was cemented as the top national educational center.
A long period of recession followed, from 1495 to 1724, that is, from the time of Yeonsangun to that of Gyeongjong. During this period, due to the tyranny of Yeonsangun, Sungkyunkwan was reduced to a place to hold feasts. Though it was restored to its original status under King Jungjong, during the Japanese invasions of Korea (1592–1598), Sungkyunkwan was burnt down and rebuilt.
A period of revival followed, from 1725 to 1894, that is, from the reign of King Yeongjo to the time of Gabo Reform. Education at Sungkyunkwan became lively amid political and academic revival, and reformation of the education system was actively developed by Silhak scholars.
Modern University Era (1895–1945)
A period of enlightenment followed, that is, from Sungkyunkwan's founding as a modern university (1895) to the Japanese annexation of Korea (1910). In 1895, a three-year department of Chinese classics (경학과; 經學科; gyeonghakkwa) was established, and various courses such as history, geography, and mathematics were taught. At the same time, a professor appointment system, admission examination system, and graduation examination system were implemented; a semester system was introduced; and modern institutional reforms such as setting the number of teaching days per year and the number of lecture hours per week were effected. Under Japanese occupation (1910–1945), however, Sungkyunkwan lost its position as the highest school in Joseon.
Contemporary University Era (1945–Present)
On 15 August 1945, the Japanese Empire was defeated. In November of the same year, Kim Chang-sook led a foundation that revived Sungkyunkwan as an educational center.[10] Sungkyunkwan University was thus re-established by collecting some of the property of the hyanggyo and donations from Confucian scholars.
Partnership with Samsung
Samsung partnered with SKKU from 1965 to 1977, and renewed this partnership in 1996. The university claims that this has helped it to pursue globalization and to foster talented graduates.[11] The partnership has boosted research infrastructure and human resource management, and it has helped the university to develop courses in software development, mobile communications engineering, energy engineering, nanotechnology, business, medicine, and law.[12]
In the Financial Times rankings, SKK GSB's MBA ranks 82nd worldwide, 15th in Asia, and first in Korea.[31]
Campuses and transport
Humanities and Social Sciences Campus (Seoul)
The university's Humanities and Social Sciences Campus, also housing arts departments, is in central Seoul on the same hill as Changdeokgung and Changgyeonggung (two of the royal palaces of Joseon). The 1,394,154 m2 campus lies in Myeongnyun-dong, near Daehangno. The nearest subway station is Hyehwa on Line 4, and the university operates shuttle buses between the station and the campus.
Bicheondang and 600th Anniversary HallShuttle buses outside the Student Center
Natural Sciences Campus (Suwon)
The Natural Sciences Campus, housing natural science, engineering, medicine, and sports departments, is within walking distance of Sungkyunkwan University Station in Yuljeon-dong, northwest Suwon. The 101-hectare campus, 45 km south of Seoul, was established in 1978. At 2,199,187 m2, it is more spacious than the campus in Seoul, so sports facilities and a botanical garden are located on this campus.
Natural Sciences Campus entrance
Natural Sciences Campus seen from the Industry Cooperation Centre
SKKU's motto is "Humanity, Righteousness, Propriety, and Wisdom" (인의예지; 仁義禮智), and reflects the basic spirit of Confucianism.[32]
The university's symbol—the ginkgo leaf—is derived from the giant ginkgo trees (Natural Monument No. 59) at Myeongnyundang. Both trees are male, and thus do not bear fruit. They are believed to have been planted circa 1519 by Yun Tak, a former chief scholar of Sungkyunkwan.[33]
An old ginkgo tree at Sungkyunkwan
Student housing and dormitories
The university has several on-campus dormitories. The Humanities and Social Sciences campus in Seoul has ten dormitories and housing facilities, namely C-house, E-house, G-house, I-house, K-house, M-house, Crownville A, Crownville C, LWG House, and Victory House, while the Natural Sciences Campus in Suwon has five dormitories, namely In-Kwan, Ui-Kwan, Ye-Kwan, Shin-Kwan and Ji-Kwan.[34] The entrances are secured with automatic RFID key-tag doors to ensure that only residents can enter.
Rooms
The dormitories house male and female students, separated by floor.[34] There is a variety of room types (single rooms, two-person rooms, four-person suites), with availability depending on need, fee, and academic results. All the rooms are furnished, and have an air-conditioner and free WiFi. Special single rooms are reserved for disabled students in Shin-kwan.
Sungkyunkwan Advanced Institute of Nanotechnology (SAINT) was founded on 1 March 2005 as one of the four core programs of Sungkyunkwan University's VISION2010+ plan to be ranked in the top 100 universities in the world. With financial support from Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology, it aims to become one of the world's top five nanotechnology institutes. The current director of SAINT is Sungjoo Lee.[37]
N-Center
N-center
The N-Center houses the Center for Integrated Nanostructure Physics in the Institute for Basic Science, led by physics Professor Lee Young-hee,[38] and the Center for Neuroscience Imaging Research (CNIR), led by Prof. Seong-Gi Kim.[39]
School of Medicine
Students from the School of Medicine train at Samsung Medical Center's hospitals, and many students on campus are first-year undergraduates and postgraduate students.
School of Medicine
Memorial to body donors
Memorial to body donors: inscription
Memorial to animals
International programs
Over 10% of the university's undergraduates are international students. There were over 2,700 international students enrolled at SKKU in 2013, and each year more than 2,000 Korean students from SKKU go abroad. SKKU maintains partnerships with over 653 universities in over 73 countries, and has agreements with 21 overseas institutions to offer dual-degree programs.[40]
Facilities
Libraries
In 1946, with the re-establishment of the university, Jongyeonggak, Bicheondang and Myeongnyundang were used as libraries until a new library was built. Another library opened on the Natural Sciences Campus in 1979, and a Library of Medicine was established in 1998. In 1999, the Law Library opened, and in 2000, Jongyeonggak was newly established. Samsung Library was built in 2009, and the Central Library was refurbished in 2011.[41] In total, SKKU's libraries hold more than 2.15 million books—the ninth largest collection of books in university libraries in South Korea.
Samsung Library
Built in 2009,[41] this library, alongside typical library functions, houses a digital media room where students can watch movies, and a sleeping arena.[42]
Samsung Library
Lounge
Reading room
Learning Factory
SKKU Learning Factory is a student facility at the Natural Sciences campus where creative ideas can be made physically as prototype products using 3D printers, laser cutters, CNC router, and Arduino. The center was established by the Fusion Based Creative Informatics Human Resources Development Team.[43]
Sports facilities
Operating under the College of Sports Science, there are several student sports clubs including a baseball club, floor ball club, tennis club, basketball club, soccer club, volleyball club, and cricket club.[44] There is a full-size soccer field, basketball court, tennis courts, athletics track, and baseball fields on the Natural Sciences Campus.
Yi I (1536-1584): Entered in 1558. Munmyo Baehyang (Hangul: 문묘배향; Hanja: 文廟配享). Wrote The Essentials of the Studies of the Sages (Hangul: 성학집요, Hanja: 聖學輯要). Philosopher who sophisticated the Joseon Dynasty's neo-Confucianism.
Kim Jang-saeng (1548-1631): Entered in 1623. Sa-eob of Sungkyunkwan (Hangul: 성균관사업; Hanja: 成均館司業), Munmyo Baehyang (Hangul: 문묘배향; Hanja: 文廟配享).
Yun Seon-do (1587-1671): Entered in 1612. Wrote the Gosan seonsaeng yugo (Hangul: 고산선생유고; Hanja: 孤山先生遺稿).
Heo Mok (1565-1682): Entered in 1675. Jeju of Sungkyunkwan (Hangul: 성균관제주; Hanja: 成均館祭酒)
Yun Hyu (1617-1680): Entered in 1675. Sa-eob of Sungkyunkwan (Hangul: 성균관사업; Hanja: 成均館司業), Criticized the doctrine of Zhu Xi.
Gwon Sang-ha (1641-1721): Entered in 1660. Criticized the theory that human and animal nature are the same (Hangul: 인물성동론; Hanja: 人物性同論; RR: Inmulseongdonglon)
King Yeongjo (1694-1776): Entered in 1722. Implemented the Policy of Impartiality (Hangul: 탕평책; Hanja: 蕩平策; RR; tangpyeongchaek), the Equalized Tax Law (Hangul: 균역법; Hanja: 均役法; RR: gyunyeokbeop)
Jeong Yak-yong (1762-1836): Entered in 1783. Famous scholar of the Silhak movement (Hangul: 실학; Hanja: 實學). Wrote over 500 books, including Mongmin Simseo (Hangul: 목민심서; Hanja: 牧民心書), Gyeongse yupyo (Hangul: 경세유표; Hanja: 經世遺表).
Bak Gyusu (1807-1877): Entered in 1827. Pioneer of the enlightenment group.
Choe Ik-hyeon (1833-1906): Entered in 1854. Uijong Cheoksa activities, Righteous Army activities in 1895, 1905.
Sin Chaeho (1880-1936): Ph.D. 1905. Independence activist, historian. Wrote Ancient History of Korea (Hangul: 조선상고사; Hanja: 朝鮮上古史; RR: Joseon Sanggo Sa)
Jo So-ang (1887-1959): Entered in 1902. Wrote the Daehan Independence Declaration (Hangul: 대한독립선언서; Hanja: 大韓獨立宣言書). Advocated the Three Principles of the Equality.
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