‘K-Heritage Leadership Program’ for Global Leaders

(October 5-November 30, every Saturday)

 - In the framework of K-HeritageAcademy(non-degree program) by the Korea National University of Heritage…aheritage education initiative for foreign residents in Korea-

The Korea National University of Heritage(hereafter KNUH), led by President Kang Kyung-hwan, is offering the ‘K-Heritage Leadership Program,’ a non-degree heritage education program for foreign residents in Korea. This program is part of the ‘K-Heritage Academy’ curriculum and will be held every Saturday from October 5 to November 30, 2024.

Previously, KNUH (a national university established by the Korea Heritage Service) has worked to raise awareness of Korean heritage among foreign residents through initiatives such as the one-day ‘K-Heritage Day’ program for foreign ambassadors in May and the three-week ‘K-Heritage Summer School’ for international students over the summer. The latest effort, the ‘K-Heritage Leadership Program,’ targets global leaders in various fields who are interested in Korean heritage and education."
*K-Heritage Academy (non-degree program): 1) ‘K-Heritage Day’, one-day cultural event for ambassadors to Korea;2) ‘K-Heritage Summer School’, seasonal program for international studentsaffiliated with educational and research institutions in Korea ; 3) ‘K-Heritage Leadership Program’ (October5 - November 30, 12 sessions hod every Saturday) for global cultural leaders interested in Korean heritage and education.

The program, conducted in English, kicked off on October 5 at UNESCO Hall, a designated national cultural heritage site, with a lecture by Kyung-koo Han, Secretary-General of the Korean National Commission for UNESCO, titled 'An Insider’s Gaze on Korean Heritage: From “Barbarian” Ways of Life to K-Heritage.' In addition to diplomats, scholars, and CEOs, international students and exchange students also attended.

Starting October 12, the program will feature lectures by professors from KNUH at various Korean heritage sites such as Gyeongbokgung Palace's Heungbokjeon Hall. Participants will have the opportunity to explore Korean heritage through immersive experiences, including programs at KNUH’s main campus in Buyeo(which is representative field trip of the K-Heritage Academy), where they will engage in Korean art history, traditional textiles, ceramics, and digital heritage. Other hands-on activities include temple cuisine at Jinkwansa Temple, Korean tea culture in BukchonHanok Village, and traditional archery at Hwanghakjeong, offering participants a comprehensive understanding of tangible and intangible heritage in Korea (inquiries: knuchihec@gmail.com).

This year marks the first time that all three courses of the ‘K-Heritage Academy’ have been offered. Through monitoring and feedback from this pilot run, KNUH aims to offer a key Korean heritage education program for foreign residents in Korea, enhancing their understanding of Korean heritage and fostering international engagement with K-Heritage.