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K-State Today

July 15, 2014

South Korean Summer Institute students on Kansas State University campus for five weeks

Submitted by Mary K. Pyle

Twenty-four students, sponsored by the Korean Ministry of Science and Technology, are on the Kansas State University campus for five weeks this summer. They are accompanied by Kyung-Goo Doh, a Kansas State University computing and information sciences alumnus and professor in the department of computer science and engineering at Hanyang University Erica Campus.

The South Korean Summer Institute — a partnership between Kansas State University's College of Engineering, English Language Program and the South Korean government — provides specific classes, such as real-time embedded systems, cyber defense and technical communications. The South Korean part is organized by Doh; the College of Engineering component is organized by Masaaki Mizuno, K-State professor in the computing and information sciences department; and the English language program component is organized by Leena Chakrabarti, assistant director of the English language program.

Students selected for the program already study a specially designed curriculum at the Software Maven School at Hanyang University prior to attending K-State during the summer. Throughout the five weeks, the students will improve their computer programming techniques as well as practice their English language and technical writing skills.

The purpose of the program is to produce software engineers who are proficient not only in computing principles and practices, but also have experience working in global environment.

The Korean government provides grant funding to Korean universities interested in training junior- and senior- level students in computer software development. Doh applied for and received funding on behalf of his university last year and initiated the program with the 2013 Summer Institute. He brought 30 Korean students from the Software Maven School at Hanyang University for a five-week visit to Kansas State University.

In addition to the engineering curriculum, the computing and information sciences department organized several special events for the students to help immerse them in U.S. culture, including a Fourth of July visit to Wamego for the fireworks and a party in an American home, engagement with Brazilian students, a Kansas City day with shopping on the Plaza and Royals baseball game, and the Kaw Valley Rodeo.