Ewha and Sungkyunkwan University Agree to Scholarly Exchange
On June 14, President Shin In-ryung and President Seo Jeong-don of Sungkyunkwan University held an agreement ceremony on scholarly exchange. Based on the agreement, both universities will increase their interaction in areas such as student and faculty exchange, transfers of credit, joint use of research and resources, international projects, and education networks. President Shin announced, "Let both universities create a synergy effect in educating highly-skilled, creative people who will lead the 21st century, and in becoming world-class universities."
Ewha's Specialization Plan to be Supported by MOE
Ewha's plan to specialize in science and engineering field was rated "outstanding" by the Ministry of Education & Human Resources Development (MOE), and will be given 2.8 billion won in support over the next four years. It is the third time since 2003 that Ewha has been selected for the MOE's support project. The selection was made by evaluating the achievements of each university's specialization plan from last year.
Ewha Hosts WW05, First for Asia
Women's Worlds 2005: the 9th International Interdisciplinary Congress on Women (WW05) was held at Ewha from June 19 to 24 under the theme "Embracing the Earth: East-West, South-North." WW05 was the first International Interdisciplinary Congress on Women staged in Asia. It was also the largest congress ever of its kind, and brought together 2,058 people from all around the world. During WW05, Gertrude Mongella, the President of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), was given an honorary doctorate degree by Ewha for her contributions to the betterment of human rights issues and development and justice for women.
College of Medicine Building B Constructed
The College of Medicine Building B was completed on June 28, and had a dedication ceremony on Aug. 16 at the Ewha Mokdong Hospital to celebrate the construction. The College of Medicine Building B was built to prepare for the Graduate School of Medicine, which will start accepting new students in 2007. In the building, there will be high-tech medical, research, and educational institutions incorporating PBL (Problem Based Learning; a room for learning through discussion; and an Objective Structured Clinical Examination room for evaluating students' medical skills through one-on-one interviews with a supervisor. Ewha Medical Center will be using the building from the first to fourth floor, and the fifth to tenth floor will consist of facilities for education and research for the Graduate School of Medicine.
Building a Cosmic Ray Network at Schools Nationwide
Professors Park Il-Hung (Physics) and Yang Jong-mann (Physics) of Ewha, with professors Bhang Hyoung-chan (Physics) and Lee Hyung-mok (Astronomy) of Seoul National University established the Cosmic Ray Research and Education Array (COREA). Starting last year, they have been constructing high-energy cosmic ray detecting telescopes at middle schools, high schools, and universities in Korea. The constructed telescopes will capture minute particles coming to the earth from outer space, and will be connected via the Internet to make a network. The COREA is planning to establish detectors in 2,000 schools nationwide within the next nine years.
Prof. Nam Won-woo Named Scientist of the Month
Prof. Nam Won-woo (Nano Science) was awarded July's Scientist and Engineer of the Month Award, funded by the Korea Science and Engineering Foundation and the Ministry of Science & Technology. He received recognition for examining the mechanism of the oxygen enzyme, which enables oxygen function in chemical reactions within the human body. Through further research, scientists expect to develop an artificial biosystem which can imitate human organic reactions. The oxygen enzyme is important because it responds directly to oxygen, which has an important relation to vital process such as changing internal wastes into sweat or urine, fighting disease, and creating energy. Moreover, the oxygen enzyme can take part in removing active oxygen which causes aging.
World-famous Translators and Interpreters Gather at Ewha
The Graduate School of Translation and Interpretation and the Korean Literature Translation Institute co-hosted an international academic congress along with the fourth annual Korean literature translation and publishing workshop under the title of "Assessment in Translation and Interpretation" on June 24. The congress featured speakers well-known in the field of translation and interpretation. Among them were John Balcom, the Vice-president of the Board of Directors of the American Literary Translators Association and also an authority in translating Chinese literature; Fortunato Israel, the Dean of the Paris III University; and Marianne Lederer, a founder of interpretive theory.
Hwang Makes Breakthrough in Adult Stem Cell Research
Prof. Hwang Eun-sook (Molecular Life Sciences) and her husband, Prof. Hong Jeong-ho (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) discovered how the TAZ, protein, which they had previously identified, controls the way adult stem cells branch into or develop into particular cells. Their finding was featured in the Aug. 12 issue of the U.S.-based weekly science magazine "Science." Their findings are expected to speed progress towards the development of drugs made from adult stem cells.
Possible Loss of College of Human Ecology Alarms Students
On Aug. 21, many wall posters were seen around campus which criticized Ewha's decision to close the College of Human Ecology and move its department to other colleges. Signed by the 37th Student Council of the College of Human Ecology and the representatives of the departments within the College, the posters strongly asked for an explanation of this decision and urged that the departments of the College of Human Ecology stay where they are. Prof. Park Tong-hee (Public Administration), the Dean of University Planning & Coordination, said, "Structural reform is a project aimed at making a more competitive and future-oriented university. As one of the reforms, the departments within the College of Human Ecology may be moving into colleges where they fit in more appropriately. However, nothing is final yet, and it is still under discussion."