On the occasion of the State visit of General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam To Lam to Korea from August 10-13, VNA reporters in Seoul interviewed Professor Lee Jai Hee, Principal of the International Institute for Graduate Studies in Languages (IGSE) - the only institution in Korea that specializes in Korean-Vietnamese Translation and Interpretation.
Assessing the role of language education in the context of the Vietnam-Korea Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, Professor Lee emphasized: “Language and culture are 'soft power' factors that play a deep role in connecting the two peoples. Since 2020, IGSE has pioneered the opening of the Korean-Vietnamese Translation and Interpretation training program, with the goal of developing an elite workforce to bridge language and culture in bilateral cooperation.”
According to Professor Lee, IGSE's training program focuses on developing three competencies equally: language proficiency, socio-cultural understanding, and professional translation ability.
From 2026, IGSE will open an additional Korean-Vietnamese Business Administration major, aiming to train specialized interpreters combined with business administration knowledge, targeting human resources working in Korean corporations.
There are currently about 100 Vietnamese students studying at the postgraduate level at IGSE, including 20 PhD students. IGSE also offers scholarship programs, including special scholarships for outstanding students.
Notably, IGSE has signed Memorandums of Understanding with 8 universities in Vietnam to implement joint training models such as 1+1 programs, dual degrees and training program transfer. The successful cooperation experience with universities in Uzbekistan is creating the premise to replicate this model in Vietnam.
Regarding language education policy in Korea, the Professor said that Vietnamese is currently officially taught in 4 high schools and is also one of 8 second foreign languages chosen in the national university entrance exam.
This is a testament to the rapid growth of the Vietnamese community in the land of kimchi and the need for a deeper understanding of Vietnam in Korean society.
Professor Lee emphasized: “I believe that General Secretary To Lam 's visit will strongly inspire the young generations of the two countries, contributing to building a sustainable foundation for a substantive and long-term strategic partnership.”./.
Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/ngon-ngu-va-van-hoa-dong-vai-tro-ket-noi-sau-sac-giua-viet-nam-va-han-quoc-post1054443.vnp
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