Keimyung University

History

Keimyung University originated from Keimyung Christian College, which was founded in 1899, by Reverend Edward Adams, an American missionary of the Northern Presbyterian Church of the U.S., and by Reverends Choi Jaehwa and Kang Ingu, two local Presbyterian Church leaders. The founding principle guiding their concerted efforts was to provide Koreans with higher education firmly anchored in Christianity. 1978, the year of Keimyung's elevation to the status of a university, marked the beginning of a new period of rapid development. In October 1980, the university merged with the Dongsan Presbyterian Hospital, a prestigious local hospital with 81-year history of service, and re-opened it as Keimyung University Medical Center. The development of Keimyung acquired a new dimension in the early 1980s when it added a new campus built on 550,000 pyeong (181,500 sq. meters) at Seongseo in Sindang-dong, Dalseo-gu, to its existing Daemyeong and Dongsan campuses. As of March 2003, Keimyung comprised over 27,000 students and over 2,400 faculty members and employees in 25 majors, 68 departments in 11 faculties and 20 colleges, 13 graduate schools, 34 attached and affiliated institutes including Dongsan Medical Center and 17 affiliated research centers.

Dongsan Library

The Dongsan Library, originally known as the Library of Keimyung Christian College, was established in July 1958. It was moved to its current site at the Seongseo Campus in March 1993 to facilitate expansion into a much larger facility that meets the needs of the information age. The Dongsan Library comprises three separate libraries: the main Dongsan Library at Seongseo Campus (seven stories above and two below ground level, with a total floor space of 6,538 pyeong), the second Dongsan Library at the Daemyung Dong Campus (seven stories above and two below ground level, with a total floor space of 5,392 pyeong) and the Medical Library at Dongsan Medical Center. Equipped with sophisticated multi-media functions and an advanced information retrieval network, the Dongsan Library is now the focal point for research activities of faculty members as well as students. At present, the Dongsan Library houses around one and a half- million books, including specialized reference books, scientific journals, theses, ancient documents, micro-data, CD-ROMs and multi-media materials. The information or data owned by the Dongsan Library is made available for users around the world through the Keimyung University Library Integrated Information Management System (KIMS).

Dongsan Medical Center

Keimyung University Medical Center consists of a medical school, Dongsan hospital, and Gyeongju Dongsan hospital. The History of Dongsan Medical Center dates back to 1899 when Dr. Woodbridge O. Johnson, an American Missionary dispatched by the Korean Mission of the Northern Presbyterian Church of the United States, started the Salvation Hospital and became the founder of the medical center. It was the beginning of the first medical activity in Daegu. Dongsan Medical Center merged with Keimyung University in 1978 to establish a Medical School and at present it has 1,000 bed capacity with 1,700 employees. Entering upon the 21st century, Dongsan Medical Center will spare no effort to move Medical School, Nursing College, Second Dongsan Hospital and Medical Science and Research Building to Keimyung University Sungsuh Campus.

Museum

Since it was established on May 20, 1978, the Museum has devoted its efforts to studying the historical and cultural heritage of the local region with a special focus on Kaya, an ancient civilization that once flourished in Korea, but which left few records. Since then, the museum has accomplished much, including the excavation of the royal tombs of the Kaya Dynasty.Many Kaya artifacts uncovered through those efforts are on display in the Museum. Currently, a plan is under way to construct a new museum on a 9,900 square-meter site with a total floor space of 5,940 square meters. The opening is scheduled for May 2004, which will also mark the 50th anniversary of the university. The new museum building will feature a university history gallery, Korean history gallery, curatorial department, a conservation science laboratory, and other accommodations including a museum shop and a cafe.

Edward Adams Hall of Worship and Praise (Adams Chapel)

Located high on the flank of Kungsan Hill above the Seongseo Campus of Keimyung University, the Edward Adams Hall of Worship and Praise (known as the Adams Chapel) was built to honor the achievements of missionary Edward Adams, one of the founders of Keimyung University. The Adams Hall of Worship and Praise has three towers on the facade and a central domed tower. Those three towers in front (the two to the right of the center and one to the left) represent Keimyung University's educational precept, "truth", "justice", and "love", and the central dome represents "the Kingdom of God". The seven round columns in the main chapel represent the 7 early churches in Asia referred to in the Book of Revelation in the New Testament. In the main chapel there is a beautiful pipe organ built by Karl Schuke company of Germany. On the front of the organ are three crowns, underneath each of which are arranged seven pipes. These represent the Holy Trinity, as well as the seven angels with seven trumpets as recorded in the Book of Revelation. In addition, the Adams Chapel has over 160 stained glass windows of various sizes. The stained glass window depict the twelve disciples of Christ, the three Wise Men, the Ten Commandments, the judgement of Solomon and other stories from the Bible. The pipe organ, the stained glass, the chapel chairs, and the marble of the columns of the Adams Chapel were all made through the generous donation from the friendly Keimyung University.

Keimyung Adams College

Keimyung Adams College is an honors college within Keimyung University. All of its courses are taught in English according to North American and European standards and norms. Most of Keimyung Adams' professors come from North America and Europe as well. Its student enrollment includes both Korean national students and international students. It offers three bachelor's degrees in International Business, International Relations. Because Keimyung Adams' curriculum is based on North American and European norms, it is a popular school for exchange students. Keimyung Adams also supports international students seeking a dual-degree from abroad; this program requires a four semester residency. Requirements for graduation from each of Keimyung Adams' degree programs require a senior thesis, an international internship, and accomplishment in Korean, English, and either Japanese or Mandarin languages.

Keimyung-Chopin Music Academy

Access to courses taught by Polish professors from the F. Chopin Academy of Music, Keimyung has established itself as a music education institute in Korea. In order to improve the quality of music education offered to its students, the university opened the Keimyung-Chopin Music Academy in close collaboration with the F. Chopin Academy of Music in Poland, a music education institute with a well-established international reputation. As a Korean replication of the aforementioned institute, the Keimyung-Chopin Music Academy provides musical education ensured by the fact that twelve resident Polish professors select 30 students every year from among the entering class of the College of Music of Keimyung through a process of highly competitive auditions and in-depth interviews.

Courses in English

Korean Language Program

Keimyung University Korean Language Institute of The Center for International Education at KMU offers international students a Korean language course. Each class has a small group of students - 12 students on average. The institute has a very systematic program such as cultural experiences, regular field trips and festivals for international students, providing a chance to learn the language and the culture.

CCAP (Cross Cultural Awareness Programme)

KMU has been exclusively designated as the CCAP partner institute of Daegu and Gyeongbuk area by Korean National Commission of UNESCO since 2005. CCAP invites international students in Korea to present the culture of their homelands to Korean youth.

Partner Schools