TAR University College launches its Korean Language Centre

8 December 2015, KUALA LUMPUR – Tunku Abdul Rahman University College (‘TAR University College’), via its Centre for Continuing and Professional Education (‘CPE’), collaborates with Dankook University, Korea (‘DKU’) to establish a Korean Language Centre which was launched on 8 December 2015 at TAR University College, Kuala Lumpur Main Campus. The collaboration was formalised with the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement between the two institutions. The launching ceremony was witnessed by the Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea, Mr Yoon Chang Yul and attended by Datuk Dr Tan Chik Heok, President of TAR University College and Dr Jaedong Lee, Associate Vice President for International Affairs, DKU.

The setting up of the Korean Language Centre marks the first language centre established in TAR University College which aims to provide Korean language courses with the support from DKU to TAR University College students as well as SPM school leavers. In addition, the collaboration with DKU is also a historic first as DKU is the first Korean university that TAR University College collaborates with in its more than 45 years of history.

Datuk Dr Tan Chik Heok, President of TAR University College, in his welcome address, highlighted the innovative arrangement and the benefits of this collaboration with DKU in providing the Korean language courses to the students. He added: “Via this collaboration, DKU will provide TAR University College customised and exclusive curriculum of the Korean language courses. Besides this, DKU will also send one instructor every year to conduct the Korean language courses in TAR University College”.

“Furthermore, TAR University College Diploma graduates would be able to articulate into the 3^rd year of DKU’s 4-year Bachelor degree programme of corresponding discipline. The Study Abroad Unit at the Centre for Continuing and Professional Education in TAR University College would be on hand to assist students in any progression of studies to DKU,” Datuk Dr Tan added.

Dr Jaedong Lee in his speech shared his aspiration of this Korean Language Centre as he explained: “The Dankook Korean Language Course is a great starting point and opportunity for Malaysian students to learn and experience the language and culture of Korea. As such, it is hoped that students will be able to play an important role for the development of education exchange between Malaysia and Korea”.

Mr Yoon Chang Yul congratulated both institutions for establishing this strategic collaboration. “More Malaysians especially the younger generations are very familiar with the Korean culture and I believe that the courses provided by this centre will be very helpful and beneficial for those who are planning to go to Korea. The Korean Embassy will try its best to provide a favorable environment for Malaysians to learn the Korean language and understand the Korean culture better,” he further explained.

The Korean language courses comprise 3 levels – Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced, catering for students at different levels of proficiency in Korean language. The Korean language courses will eventually prepare the students to sit for the Test of Proficiency in Korean (‘TOPIK’) at various levels. TOPIK is used by universities in Korea to assess applicants’ level of proficiency in Korean language for admission purposes.

The Korean Language Centre is located at the CPE office in TAR University College Kuala Lumpur Main Campus. Classes will commence in 2016 and Malaysian students with high school qualification and above are eligible to apply.