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Sungkyunkwan University
성균관 대학교[1]
Motto:	Pursue Truth and Embody Social Justice 仁義禮智 인의예지
Established	1398 / 1946
President:	Seo Jeongdon
Faculty:	1,077 (2007)[2]
Undergraduates:	26,542 (2006)[2]
Postgraduates:	6,747 (2006)[2]
Location	Seoul, Suwon, South Korea (37°35′13.5″N 126°59′38.5″E / 37°17′36″N 126°58′28.5″E)
Campus:	Urban
Colors:	Green       Blue
Mascot:	Ginkgo
Website:	www.skku.edu

Sungkyunkwan University
Hangul 성균관대학교 Hanja 成均館大學校 Revised Romanization Seonggyungwan Daehakgyo McCune-Reischauer Sŏngkyunkwan Taehakkyo

Sungkyunkwan University is a private university in Seoul (listen (help·info)) and Suwon, South Korea. The university has two campuses: the Humanities and Social Sciences campus in Myeongnyun Dong, Jongno-gu in central Seoul, and the Natural Sciences Campus in Cheoncheon Dong, Jangan Gu, Suwon. The literal meaning of "Sungkyunkwan" is "an institution for building a harmonious society of perfected human beings". Eighteen schools and three colleges offer degrees at the bachelor's level, and twelve graduate schools confer various degrees at both the masters and doctoral levels. It is considered to be one of the foremost universities in the country.^[3]

Contents 1 Location 2 History 2.1 Chronicle 3 Motto 4 University symbol 5 Faculties 6 Campus 6.1 Humanities and Social Sciences Campus 6.2 Natural Sciences Campus 7 Budget and facilities 8 References 9 See also 10 External links

The Humanities and Social Sciences campus in Seoul is uphill from the old Sungkyunkwan Confucian institute, on the same hill as Changdeokgung and Changgyeonggung, two of Seoul's royal palaces, and Jongmyo. It is at the following coordinates: 37°35′13.5″N 126°59′38.5″E / 37.587083, 126.994028. The Natural Sciences campus in Suwon is within walking distance of Sungkyunkwan University Station, in the north west of the city. It is at 37°17′36″N 126°58′28.5″E / 37.29333, 126.974583. The Agricultural Department's fields are at 37°17′21.5″N 126°58′5″E / 37.289306, 126.96806. These are notable for their large prostrate Korean flag and map, which lie 0.56km from the Natural Sciences campus main gate on a bearing of 252°.

See also: Sungkyunkwan

Sungkyunkwan, also known as Seonggyungwan, was established in 1398 to offer prayers and memorials to Confucius and his disciples, and to promote the study of the Confucian canon. It was located in the capital Hanseong, modern-day Seoul. It followed the example of the Goryeo-period Gukjagam, which in its later years was also known by the name "Sungkyunkwan". Sungkyunkwan was Korea's foremost institution of higher learning under the Joseon Dynasty education system.

After the period of Japanese rule, with the emergence of the Republic of Korea, the old Sungkyunkwan was reincorporated as a private institution without the sanction of defunct Joseon Dynasty. As Korea modernized and underwent social and economic reforms, the university grew rapidly to keep up with the diverse demands of the advancing country. In 1946, the entering class numbered 155. The number of graduates now totals approximately 130,000.^{[citation needed]}

Sungkyunkwan now operates two campuses: the Humanities and Social Sciences Campus in Seoul and the Natural Sciences Campus in Suwon.

• 1398: The foundation of Sungkyunkwan

(1400-1418) Taejong initiates a tradition for royal princes to enter Sungkyunkwan.

• 1475: Jongyeonggak, the first library, is established.
• 1519: Planting of the pair of Ginkgo trees (Natural Monument No.59) that became the University's symbol.
• 1592: Munmyo, the Confucian Shrine, is destroyed in a fire.
• 1601: Munmyo is reconstructed.
• 1895: Sungkyunkwan is reformed as a modern three-year university.
• 1911: The University is renamed Kyonghagwon by the Japanese Colonial Government.
• 1946: Sungkyunkwan college reopened on September 25.^[4]
• 1950: Campus buildings, libraries are destroyed in a fire.
• 1953: The University is promoted to a comprehensive university; The Graduate School is established.
• 1954: The Main Building is constructed (5 storeys, 1,333 pyeong).
• 1957: First Science Hall
• 1958: The Central Library is opened (5 storeys, 1,038 pyeong); The Evening College is established.
• 1962: The Administration Building is constructed (4 storeys, 1,271 pyeong).
• 1963: The College of Business Administration is established.

The First Faculty Hall is constructed.

• 1964: The opening of the Museum.
• 1965: The College of Sciences and Engineering is established.
• 1966: The School of Library Service is established.

The Evening Graduate Schools are established.

• 1971: The Graduate School of Foreign Trade is established.
• 1972: The College of Education is established.
• 1978: The Natural Sciences Campus opens in Suwon.
• 1981: The Graduate School of Education is established.
• 1983: The Science Library building is constructed.
• 1986: The Susonggwan Gymnasium Complex and Yanghyongwan Student Quarters are constructed.
• 1988: The Graduate School of Confucian Studies is established.
• 1993: The School of Continuing Education is established.
• 1995: The Graduate School of International Cooperation is established.
• 1996: The Samsung Group reacquires the university foundation; The Graduate School of Mass Communications and Journalism is established.
• 1997: The College of Medicine, the Graduate School of Design, and the Graduate School of Business Administration are established.
• 1998: 600th Anniversary; The School of Art is established.
• 1999: The Medical Building is constructed.
• 2000: The 600th Anniversary Building is constructed; The Business Administration Building is reconstructed.
• 2001: The Research Complex 1 is constructed; The Wisdom Hall(dormitory) is constructed.
• 2002: The Electronic Microscope Complex is constructed.
• 2002: Construction begins on the Law Building.
• 2003: The inauguration of the 18th President: Dr Jung-Don Seo.
• 2004: The Law Building is constructed; Su Seon Hall is renovated; Hoam Hall is renovated; The International House is constructed;

SKK Graduate School of Business is launched in collaboration with the MIT Sloan School of Management.

• 2005: The Research Complex 2 is constructed.
• 2006: The Graduate School of Mobile Systems Engineering, which is sponsored by Samsung Electronics, is established; The PACE(Partners for the Advancement of Collaborative Engineering Education) Center is established; The Semiconductor System Engineering Course, which is sponsored by Samsung Electronics, is established.

The University's motto, "Humanity, Righteousness, Propriety, and Wisdom" (仁, 義, 禮, 知) reflects the basic spirit of Confucianism. These four cardinal virtues express humankind's four inherent elements of spirit, action, conscience, and intellect. Humanity abides in the heart that loves, righteousness abides in the heart that knows right from wrong, propriety abides in the heart that knows forbearance, and wisdom abides in the heart that perceives. Confucian philosophy attests to man's innate goodness, and at the same time recognizes that this quality must nevertheless be awakened and nurtured. These four principles, which comprise the university's philosophy of instruction, are the basis for higher education's goals of the search for truth and the establishment of social justice, which are, in turn, based on humanity.

The university's symbol is two giant ginkgo trees (Natural Monument No.59). Although these trees are not located on the modern campus of the university, they are considered one of the school's key symbols.^[5] Planted in 1519 by Yun Tak, a former president of Sungkyunkwan, they hold symbolic meaning in Confucianism because Confucius is said to have loved reading, pondering, and teaching his disciples under a ginkgo tree. These trees also represent longevity and enlightenment, both held important in Korean culture.

Data from April 2007 ^[6]
- School of Confucian and Oriental Studies: 12
- College of Humanities: 70
- College of Law: 40
- School of Social Sciences: 49
- School of Economics: 35
- School of Business Administration: 53
- School of Human Life Sciences: 14
- College of Education: 19 - School of Art: 26
- University College : 13
- Natural Sciences: 67
- Information and Communication Engineering: 70
- Engineering: 133
- Pharmacy: 41
- Life Science and Natural Resources: 19
- Sport Science: 13
- Medicine: 497
- Sungkyun Language Institute: 32

Full-Time Professors: 1,074; Emeritus Professors: 130; Research Professors: 190; Clinical Professors: 70; Associate Professors: 1,562; Lecturers: 803; Adjunct Professors: 181; Visiting Professors: 91; Exchange Professors: 1; Others: 3; Total: 4,105

The deep roots of the university are so strongly entwined with Seoul that the university cannot be described in isolation from the city. Like the university, Seoul is the center of Korea's remarkable economic growth over the past 40 years with its unique tradition and current modernity. Seoul was the seat of government as early as the Baekje Kingdom for over 1,500 years. However, the city became more important with the establishment of the Joseon Dynasty in 1392, when it became the capital city. The university is located inside Seoul city walls, within the original capital of Joseon.

Located uphill from the original Seonggyungwan site, the Humanities and Social Sciences Campus is spread over a hill looking down on Jongmyo Royal Shrine, which has been designated by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage Site. Just like Seoul, the university grew rapidly, and the expansion called for a new campus.

The original site was preserved as the Humanities and Social Sciences Campus, while the expanding science programs were moved to a new campus in Suwon. Currently, 6 schools, 3 colleges and many graduate schools call the Humanities and Social Sciences Campus their home. To commemorate the founding philosophy of the university, the 600th Anniversary Memorial Hall, which houses the Academy of East Asian Studies, was constructed on this campus. This new facility has a floor space of 31,930 square meters as well as four underground levels and six above-ground storeys.

The university's modern Natural Sciences Campus was established in 1978. This campus is situated 45km away from the south of Seoul, on a 250-acre site. The campus is home to 5 schools, 2 colleges and various graduate schools. The management of the Natural Sciences Campus is considered a paragon of educational administration in Korea.^{[citation needed]}

When the new campus was built, the idea of an equal dual campus system was new to Korean higher education; this system remains unique in Korea. Some comprehensive universities located in large cities have tried to meet the need for expansion by founding separate, usually smaller campuses in rural areas. Besides solving the problem of physical expansion, the separate campus system brought the University many opportunities for growth.

Suwon preserves the traditional beauty of the Joseon era (1392-1910), but it also now flourishes as a center for business, education and economic research, due to its proximity to major industrial complexes.

In an effort to serve society by building a bridge between academia and the industrial sector, another initiative, the Science Technology Park (STP), is being developed at this campus. The university, industries in the surrounding area, and the government have combined forces in this project.

Annual Budget: 2,873 billion won^[7]

Budget from Tuition: 1,294 billion won (45%)

Budget from University Foundation: 6.22 billion won (21.6%)

(Total financial settlement of accounts at the end of the year 2002)

Current Library Holdings: 1,763,000 (bound volumes)

Central Library: 998,000 / Science Library: 658,000 / Library of Medicine: 60,000 / Law Library: 47,000

Experimental Equipment Holdings: 779 billion won (approx. 42,000 in counting)

Humanities and Social Sciences Campus: 45 billion won (approx. 19,000 in counting)

Natural Sciences Campus: 734 billion won (approx. 23,000 in counting)

University Area: 887 acres

Humanities and Social Sciences Campus: 344 acres / Natural Sciences Campus: 543 acres

(including Tobong Varsity Teams Training Center: 3.6 acres / Botanical Gardens: 81 acres /

Samchuk Seaside Retreat: 0.6 acres / Research Area: 319 acres / Other forests and fields: 9.5 acres)

Building Area: 78 acres

Humanities and Social Sciences Campus: 34 acres

Natural Sciences Campus: 44 acres

• List of Korea-related topics
• List of colleges and universities in South Korea
• Education in the Joseon Dynasty
• Seonggyungwan
• Education in South Korea
• Daehangno
• Suwon
• Samsung Global Scholarship Program
• SAINT (Sungkyunkwan Advanced Institute of Nanotechnology)

• (Korean) Official site
• (English) Official site

Coordinates: 37°35′14″N, 126°59′39″E