Korea Studies @ UM

Korea Studies program was first established in 1996 followed by the establishment of the Department of East Asian Studies, together with the Japan Studies and China Studies, all three programs were placed under the Department of East Asian Studies with the degree of the Bachelor of Arts (East Asian Studies) and later changed to Bachelor of East Asian Studies. Students are given the option to specialize in any program throughout the three and half years of study.

The rationale behind the program offer is because of the important role of the three countries at the international level and to Malaysia in particular. China, Korea and Japan are Malaysia's strategic partners in trade and investment as well as political and cultural allies. The graduates of these studies are expected to have an in-depth knowledge in their subject to meet the demands of the job market. Students who specialise in Korea Studies for example, are expected to know political, economic and social issues related to Korea as well as its international relations. Students in the programme are also equipped with knowledge on East Asian region, particularly China, Japan and East Asian Regional, offered as elective subjects. University of Malaya is the only public university that is offering a comprehensive programme in East Asian country studies.

Program Pengajian Korea mula ditubuhkan pada tahun 1996 serentak dengan penubuhan Jabatan Pengajian Asia Timur. Selain Pengajian Korea, Pengajian Jepun dan Pengajian China juga ditawarkan dengan ketiga-tiga program diletakkan di bawah Jabatan Pengajian Asia Timur. Ijazah yang dianugerahkan adalah Ijazah Sarjana Muda Sastera ( Pengajian Asia Timur) dan kemudiannya ditukar kepada Sarjana Muda Pengajian Asia Timur. Pelajar diberi pilihan untuk mengkhusus dalam mana-mana program sepanjang tiga setengah tahun pengajian.

Rasional di sebalik penawaran program tersebut adalah kerana peranan penting ketiga-tiga negara di peringkat antarabangsa dan Malaysia khususnya. China, Korea dan Jepun adalah rakan kongsi strategik Malaysia dalam perdagangan dan pelaburan serta politik dan budaya. Lulusan pengajian ini diharapkan mempunyai pengetahuan yang mendalam dalam negara yang dikhususkan bagi memenuhi permintaan pasaran kerja. Pelajar yang pakar dalam pengajian Korea misalnya, diharapkan mengetahui isu politik, ekonomi dan sosial berkaitan Korea serta hubungan antarabangsanya. Pelajar dalam program ini juga dilengkapi dengan pengetahuan mengenai rantau Asia Timur, khususnya China, Jepun dan Wilayah Asia Timur, yang ditawarkan sebagai mata pelajaran elektif. Universiti Malaya adalah satu-satunya universiti awam yang menawarkan program komprehensif dalam pengajian negara Asia Timur.