Special Lecture by JEON Yootaek (Pyongyang University of Science & Tecnology)
North Korean Higher Education and Education at PUST

2018.02.23 16:00 - 18:00

On Feb. 23, President Jeon Yootaek of Pyongyang University of Science and Technology (PUST) held a special lecture on higher education of North Korea and education at PUST. With over 150 people attending, President Jeon shared with the audience PUST’s foundational background, student life, professor student engagement, university management system, and future vision.

As the only international university co-founded by the two Korea’s, PUST was established in 2010 as a natural science and engineering centered university. Its objective is to realize North Korea’s internationalization and economic independence through the education of scientific technologies and business management. Currently, there are approximately 520 PUST graduates. President Jeon explained that all courses are conducted in English by professors from various parts of the world. He also emphasized how the university affiliated ‘Knowledge Industry Research Center’ is engaged in active research and presenting notable progress in the area of natural sciences.

On another note, President Jeon also shared how North Korean sanctions are presenting difficulties for PUST. The university endeavors to provide students with many opportunities, including encouraging students to study abroad. However, with the September sanctions, restrictions on bank transactions and US travel bans are complicating university management. For example, PUST opened a medical college last year in an attempt to improve North Korea’s medical system. However, North Korean sanctions have made it difficult for the university to construct buildings and procure faculty.

President Jeon further explained the university’s ‘dual-ladder system’, in which the university divides different tasks such as student selection, professor and lecture management, and university management between two separate managerial systems.

President Jeon also commented on the argument that PUST is a training facility for hackers. President Jeon cited former North Korean minister Tae Young-ho’s National Assembly testimony in which he says that “There is a sperate hacker training facility. It is excessive to see PUST as a training facility for hackers.”

Wrapping up, President Jeon shared his frustration, mentioning limitations in student funding despite their high competence. He highlighted how more infrastructure and active support can expand the potential of PUST and improve the quality of North Korea’s higher education. President Jeon shared his future vision for PUST to not only become a place for students to see the world, but become a model of unification.

JEON Yootaek , YEE Jaeyeol, SHIN Changhwan

Lectures and Topics

  • Speaker: JEON Yootaek , Pyongyang University of Science and Technology

     

  • Panelist: YEE Jaeyeol, Seoul National University

     

  • Panelist: SHIN Changhwan, Sungkyunkwan University

     

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