Oct. 25th, 2019, Korea's Dongseo University President and MRU Honorary Degree recepient Prof. Dr. Jekuk Chang visited Mykolas Romeris University He agreed to an interview about the state of higher education.

I think that every university should foster a person’s imagination and hope. Institutions of higher education shouldn’t just become career centers. Their role is precisely to create grand theories, which sometimes can sound unreal,” said South Korea’s Dongseo University President Prof. Dr. Jekuk Chang. He was in Vilnius recently to attend an international conference on relations with Asia and to present a paper.

Prof. Dr. Jekuk Chang has been President of Korea’s Dongseo University since 2013. This University maintains close ties with Lithuania and actively cooperates with Mykolas Romeris University. The two universities have implemented a joint Bachelor’s Degree studies programme and also have established the first King Sejong Institute in the Baltic countries, where it is possible to study Korean and to become more closely acquainted with Korea’s culture and traditions. Aside from academics and research activities, he actively participates in South Korea’s Foreign Affairs and Commerce Ministries research activities and consults on issues related to Japan. In 2010, Prof. Chang was recognized by the Japan-Korean Cultural Fund and in 2012 by China’s Confucius Institute with awards. “Institutions of higher education have a huge potential to influence our society. However, they have to have the ability to change and be motivated. Today, when we have so many long-distance workshops and various career platforms, universities that are not able to offer the younger generation new ideas will shrink or become extinct,” said Prof. Chang, who was awarded an honorary MRU Degree in 2013. Dongseo’s President agreed to share some of his thoughts on the mission of higher education and the meaning of choosing a profession.

-The world is changing, but does the mission of universities change?

-I think that the specific mission of a university must represent the aims of its founders and its spirit. Let’s say that the mission of those universities, which implement science and humanities research is to prepare research publications, attract the smartest, highest-level researchers from all over the world. Of course, it is true that not all institutions of higher education can or must undertake research. Those universities which specialize in applied science, it is important to direct resources to teaching and fostering of outh. Their mission – to be on target in their line of activities and to continuously update teaching methods and its contents. I want to note that during the last decade colleges and new types of higher education institutions are being established whose mission is to prepare specialists, who will work in the global world. One of those is the Minerva School established in San Francisco. Despite the fact that its students live in residences in this city, however studies are implemented in an interactive lecture platform. However, that is not all. Minerva students, in the early courses are sent to six different world cities, where cooperating with local companies they prepare individual “Capstone” projects according to a theme they have selected themselves. Admission to such a school is very competitive. A large part of its graduates are employed in well-known global companies such as “Google,” “Apple” or “Amazon.”

-It is said that the Z generation wants everything “here and now.” However, having graduated, a large number of these youth still do not know what to study. Times change,

but some beliefs remain the same, such as that it’s necessary to choose a good profession. How to best understand what is needed for the future?

– Not only in Lithuania, but also in South Korea, parents put pressure on their children to choose a solid, good profession – to be doctors or lawyers. That is why a large number of smart graduates choose this direction. This tendency is apparent in many world countries. However, today, in the era of the 4th industrial revolution, youth need to select that professional direction, which would best allow their talents to unfold. That is called talent. Every person’s talent is different. Most important is to be aware of who you are and in that professional area to deepen your knowledge and foster your talents. Many of those who choose to be doctors or lawyers but not according to their talent, find themselves unhappy. I think today, when the quality of life allows us to reach 100 or more years old, it is necessary to search for your own path and not to listen to the opinions of others.

– How does one find one’s talent?

-Sometimes you have to search for that path (laughs). Many high schools still teach, according to traditional principles. Pupils are busy preparing for entrance exams and they need to memorize an endless amount of various facts. So there is little time left to find time for searching for your talent. So, it is not surprising when they enter an institution of higher education, they don’t know what to do. So, considering this problem in our university from the coming spring we plan to offer a virtual talent college, “Q Collage.” This platform will give the opportunity to find your talent trying out various subjects in different areas. Together with an academic adviser, students will be able to set up an individual studies programme. Time in a university is set aside for this – so that during a 4-year period many different subjects would be tried. And, in the upper c