Number of international students entering Korea last year grew by 15 percent
The South Korean government certified 158 universities' ability to manage international student programs, the Ministry of Education announced Monday.
The certified colleges will benefit form eased visa screening, scholarship incentives and priority participation in overseas education fairs.
The certification system, aims to enhance universities' internationalization efforts while addressing concerns over illegal stays by international students.
Reviews are conducted annually, and this year, 158 universities were ceritfied for their degree programs and 103 for language training programs, up 24 and 23 institutions, respectively, from the previous year.
Among the certified institutions, 27 universities have been designated as top-tier institutions for their internationalization efforts, including Hanyang University, Korea University and Sookmyung Women's University.
The announcement included data on the number of international students who entered South Korea last year, which reached approximately 209,000 — an increase of about 27,000 from the previous year.
Meanwhile, 11 institutions failed to meet the government’s international student management standards. These universities will face stricter evaluations when admitting international students, particularly regarding their language proficiency and financial standing.
The government has emphasized that it will continuously monitor universities that admit international students, ensuring better admissions management and preventing potential issues related to violations of student visas.
jychoi@heraldcorp.com
