OREANDA-NEWS. Tallinn University of Technology (TUT) opened Korean King Sejong Institute in Tallinn to promote Korean language, culture and business contacts in whole Nordic region. 

Back in January 2015, Tallinn University of Technology (TUT) expressed its willingness to take part in the increasingly popular educational programme run by King Sejong Institute Foundation (Republic of Korea). The latter institution has established a unique global network of academic units – they are called King Sejong Institutes – that are introducing Korean language and culture to thousands of foreigners.

This summer, TUT and King Sejong Institute Foundation signed an Agreement that entrusted the university to operate Tallinn King Sejong Institute (TKSI), under the institutional umbellar of Department of International Relations and its Centre for Asia-Pacific Studies.

TKSI is the first institution of its kind ever established in Estonia, and its work will be dedicated to teaching the Korean language as a foreign or a second language and Korean culture. From the strategic point of view, this development is considered very important in terms of recognition of TUT’s leading role in the process of enhancing a very specific cluster of political science – Asia-Pacific Studies – within  the comprehensive framework of both under- and post-graduate programmes in International Relations. For the designation of a King Sejong Institute in 2015, a total of 70 educational institutions from 31 countries submitted their applications to King Sejong Institute Foundation, and TUT became one of 16 proud winners. This fact was well-noted in Korea and became very significant in the process of promoting Estonia and its business in the vast area of Asia-Pacific.

The TKSI’s Opening Ceremony was held at TUT, on 7 October. A number of high-profile guests attended the event giving their speeches, namely Mr. Chang Dong-hee (Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Finland and Estonia), Ms. Tea Varrak (Vice-Rector for Innovation and Internationalisation, Director for Innovation and Business Center, TUT), Mr. Hannes Hanso (Minister of Defence, Government of Estonia), Ms. Marin M?ttus (Director of Division, Asia, Africa, Australia and Latin America, Political Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia), and Mr. Mihhail K?lvart (Deputy Mayor of Tallinn). During the Ceremony, the Korean Government’s official document on TKSI’s designation was formally handed over to TUT by Ambassador Chang.

The TKSI’s academic activities already commenced from the 2015 Autumn semester with the introduction of “Korean language for beginners” course, with about 40 students enrolled. The Institute and its staff are hoping to attract new waves of studentship who are interested in Korea and its diverse culture.