A Korean delegation headed by H. E. Shin Boonam, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Korea to Bulgaria, visited the “St. Cyril and St. Methodius” University of Veliko Tarnovo on 27 November 2017 and met with Rector, Prof. Dr. Hristo Bondzholov, and with the lecturers of the Faculty of Modern Languages.
His Excellency was accompanied by Oh Hyun-Deuk, president of Kukkiwon (World Taekwondo Headquarters), Park Soo Nam, honorary president of World Taekwondo Europe, Slavi Binev, chairman of the Bulgarian Taekwondo Federation, and diplomats from the Korean Embassy to Bulgaria.
Prof. Bondzholov welcomed the guests and introduced them to the history, development and success of the University of Veliko Tarnovo. Dr. Oh Hyun-Deuk, who is visiting the University and Veliko Tarnovo for the first time, was impressed by the University’s traditions, achievements and prestige. There was a working meeting to discuss teaching Korean at the University of Veliko Tarnovo and furthering academic, regional and business cooperation.
The discussion focused on creating a joint Master of Arts Taekwondo degree course and opening a Korean educational, cultural and information centre at the University of Veliko Tarnovo.
“Taekwondo found a home at our University. I hope today’s meeting will be a step toward uniting our efforts and successfully creating a sport and research centre to not only practice taekwondo but conduct research as well. I am delighted that you are here with us so we can not only train sportsmen but teach and educate them too. Sport is after all about educating and teaching discipline. I express my sincere hopes that a joint Master of Arts Taekwondo degree course will become reality. Our University has experience in creating Master of Arts degree courses in the field of sports so I am certain that we can succeed if we try,” Prof. Dr. Hristo Bondzholov told the guests.
“This University has great history and teaches Korean. There will be an ideal link to Korea if taekwondo becomes part of the curriculum. Our goal is to unite various countries around the world which is why we are in Veliko Tarnovo, in Bulgaria and specifically at the University of Veliko Tarnovo. I believe that apart from creating a long-term bond, we will become good partners and friends. The Rector of the University of Veliko Tarnovo is a very important part of this. This type of education in Bulgaria, related to Korea, embodies a substantial mission and is very significant for the future,” said Dr. Oh Hyun-Deuk, president of Kikkuwon.
At the end of the meeting, Prof. Dr. Hristo Bondzholov awarded Dr. Oh Hyun-Deuk with the Honorary Sign of the Rector for his merit and contribution to raising and strengthening the University’s prestige.
Korean was first taught optionally at the University of Veliko Tarnovo in the 2012/2013 academic year – 12 students passed the Korean language examination and earned their certificates. The following year, Korean was included as a second foreign language within the “Applied Linguistics” degree course. Currently there are three first-year students studying the “Applied Linguistics – English as a first and Korean as a second foreign language, and Information Technologies” degree course, six first-year students studying the “Applied Linguistics – two foreign languages (one of which Korean)” degree course and seven fourth-year students studying the “Applied Linguistics with Korean as a second foreign language” degree course. A bilateral agreement between the “St. Cyril and St. Methodius” University of Veliko Tarnovo and the Mokwon University in Daejeon was signed in 2012. The agreement stipulates exchanging research, lecturers, students and student groups, as well as organising joint events and projects.