Broader Outlook Grows Potential to Be Global Leader: Study Abroad Program of CITE
Broader Outlook Grows Potential to Be Global Leader: Study Abroad Program of CITE
  • Reporter Park Seo-kyung
  • 승인 2012.10.17 17:24
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The Department of Creative IT Excellence Engineering (CITE) was established in 2011 as part of the project “IT Consilience Creative Program” by the Ministry of Knowledge Economy and funded by the government and enterprises. In its first semester, CITE accepted 20 undergraduate students and 18 graduate students. The concept of CITE revolves around education that students choose for themselves; the object is to create new value, which others have not imagined, through convergence without any boundary between disciplines. Since CITE is established by government project, the support per student in CITE is estimated over one hundred million won.  

The characteristics of CITE
Since CITE aims to educate students to lead IT business in the 21C, selecting students who have a business-oriented mind and vision consistent with CITE is important. Accordingly, additional examinations that evaluate students’ creativity are adopted, like developing and presenting innovative items such as smart phones. As the benefits, there are three key characteristics of CITE. First, the degree course is shorter than other departments. It enables CITE students to get a Ph.D. in only six or seven years. Second, CITE provides project-centered curriculums instead of  subject-centered curriculums. Finally, the study abroad program is fully funded by the department for all CITE freshmen.

Purpose of the Study Abroad Program
Since the goal of CITE is to create a new value, proposing a creative and new paradigm is indispensable. This is impossible for those who have sunk too deeply into one field. The ability to embrace and think across various fields is required. To nurture this ability CITE provides the chance to study abroad. Seeing more of the world, experiencing other cultures, learning how to interact and live surrounded by completely different customs, and penetrating the world market through these differences, CITE students will become creative thinkers. Of course, learning English is also an important goal. “After taking the IEC (Intensive English Course) to enhance English skill during 16 weeks from July, students are taking 20 credits in the fall semester. The 20 credits will include two basic required courses of six credits, the Intermediate English Reading Course of two credits, and elective courses of 12 credits to get knowledge of HASS (Humanities, Arts and Social Science),” said professor Soo-ok Kweon. Now, the 18 CITE undergraduate students are on the six-month study abroad program.

What CITE students are learning
SUNY (State of University New York) Stony Book is where CITE students are currently taking courses. In the summer term, students attended IEC every day from 9 A.M. to 4 P.M. In fall semester, students are taking basic required subjects (General Physics Ⅱ, Applied Linear Algebra), general electives (SUNY HASS), and English courses. Students can choose the general elective course. Since SUNY ranked 2nd among USA universities in educating undergraduates, the various courses offered are high-quality. The general courses in SUNY range from “Intro to Cinema” and “Psychology” to courses such as “Islamic Culture,” “Harmonics,” “European History,” and even “Rock Music.?In addition, from Fencing Club to Quidditch Club, various clubs are available for students to join. Also, about 10 students performed ‘African dance’ as volunteer work to provide cultural experience to people through IYF (International Youth Fellowship).

What else is tried in the department
Related to studying abroad, besides SUNY Stony Brook, department of CITE is continuously contacting other universities that could be advantageous to students. The key point is the project-centered curriculum, which students design. Students must research the project that they want to accomplish beginning in undergraduate major courses. If a successful result of a project is achieved, students present the result and may receive funding. This also helps students develop a good mind for business. To realize project-centered curriculum, both undergraduate and graduate courses are planned to be a “studiotic class.” A studiotic class has professors and students teaching and learning jointly in one huge space, instead of in individual labs. If student A is working on a project and thinks understanding of subject B is required, then student A goes to the professor of subject B and starts learning. This is a perfectly new attempt, and an innovative method to realize the founding spirit of POSTECH.