Media

HKU launches Korean Programme

02 Oct 2007

 

The University of Hong Kong (HKU) is to introduce Korean Programme starting from September this year. To mark the launch of the new programme, HKU's School of Modern Languages and Cultures is to host a press conference and reception on Thursday (October 4).

With the addition of Korean, the School now offers a total of 10 languages for study (Arabic, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish and Thai).

The offer of the Korean programme reflects the importance and tremendous growth in popularity of the Korean language and culture in Asia over recent years. Strong and growing economic ties between Korea, Hong Kong and the Mainland China have also led to rising demand for learning Korean.  China is now Korea's leading export market and Hong Kong its 4th.  There are over 650 Korean companies operating in Hong Kong and over 30,000 operating in the Mainland.

Members of the media are cordially invited to attend the press conference (to be followed by the launch reception), the details are:

Date:            October 4, 2007 (Thursday)
Venue:         Foundation Chamber, G/F, Eliot Hall, HKU
Time:            5:30pm
Language:    English (with Cantonese translation)

Guests Speakers:

• Dr Marie-Paule O.Y. HA, Associate Dean, Faculty of Arts, HKU
• Dr Dixon H. W. WONG, Acting Head, School of Modern Languages and Cultures, HKU
• Mr Tong-youn SEOK, Consul-General of the Republic of Korea in HK
  

For enquiries, please contact :-

• Ms Lucilla Cheng, School of Modern Languages and Cultures (Tel: 2859 2900 / E-mail: luci@hkucc.hku.hk   ); or
• Ms Denise Wong, Manager (Media), External Relations Office ( Tel: 2859 2600 / E-mail: denise.wong@hku.hk ).
  

The School of Modern Languages and Cultures, HKU

The School currently offers degree options in three area studies: American Studies, European Studies and Japanese Studies. A fourth, Modern China Studies, will be added the 2008-2009 academic year.

The School also offers programmes in 10 languages (Arabic, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish, Thai). HKU remains the only university in the territory where students can major in French, German and Spanish, and minor in Arabic, Italian, Portuguese, Swedish and Thai. A minor in Korean would also be offered in 2008-2009, subject to approval.

With a 50-strong teaching staff from around the globe, the School is a significant contributor to HKU's international outlook, offering diversity to the learning experience of its students. The School's programmes also reinforce its commitment to the development of East/West studies and its position as a centre for teaching, researching and promoting exchanges among various cultures.