Thoughts on Vocational Education(8)

Vocational Education in South Korea and Australia

If my project turns out meaningful and inevitable to enhance the quality of vocational education in Korea, there will be huge media coverage on my project, myself and the AKF.

As a former journalist, I'll make the best use of my network on the media sector. The number of Korean vocational high schools, parents and students, related institutions and even government officials visiting Australia to learn how to efficiently improve vocational education system will be significantly increasing. 

If my project is accepted and valued in an extensive way, movement to adopt parts of the outputs into real governmental policies for better vocational education in Korea is expected.

Thoughts on Vocational Education(7)

Vocational Education in South Korea and Australia

Represented by TAFEs, Australia has been providing well-established vocational education service to students. It is no wonder that Australia is often cited to have one of the best vocational education systems in the world. 

Among the colorful merits, what I want to research most is TAFEs' industry-school collaboration model. One excellent example is Kangan Institute of TAFE's cooperative relationship with nearby automobile industries like GM and Toyota in Melbourne.

This productive and realistic approach to vocational education has been widely known to increase Australia's clout in the global society. Needless to say, it will mean a lot to the Korean vocational education system and related parties.

Thoughts on Vocational Education(6)

Vocational Education in South Korea and Australia

Rather, vocational education schools have been regarded as places for less smart students and thus haven't provided timely and practical training to meet industries' ever-changing need. However, time is shifting rapidly. 

The corporate sector as a whole is strongly asking industry-oriented vocational education. They warn that if the outdated vocational education system in Korea keeps failing to comply with the voices of the real world, national competitiveness will be shrinking as well. 

The reason why my e-book, 'Should Go to a College?' was published last year is in close line with this serious message. Now my eyes are on the advanced vocational training system in Australia.

Thoughts on Vocational Education(5)

Vocational Education in South Korea and Australia

In Korea, as many as 70~80% high school graduates advance to colleges or universities for their higher education. Many of them just sticks to colleges regardless of their dreams or aptitude. 

It is mainly because they have not been welcomed and respected by others without a bachelor's degree. Partly originated from the Confucian culture, a college degree has guaranteed job security and decent income in the Korean society. 

That's why most parents push their kids to go to a college even though their sons and daughters aren't interested in an academic career. As a consequence, vocational training at the high school or higher education level hasn't been properly developed.

Thoughts on Vocational Education(4)

Vocational Education in South Korea and Australia

By introducing the sophisticated vocational education model of TAFE, public awareness of Australia in Korea will be expected to be higher. Then Australian engagement with Korea will become more lively and mutual relationship between the two countries will surely go further. 

In that education is an inevitable element of any society, this project will bridge those Koreans not familiar with the leading vocational education system to Australia even in the social and cultural context. In this regard, I have no doubt that my project will best serve the goals of the AKF.

Thoughts on Vocational Education(3)

Vocational Education in South Korea and Australia

Vocational training at the secondary and higher education level in Korea has stayed less estimated for a long time. It has a long way to go in both hardware and software aspects. 

If my research contributes to awaken the Korean society of the significance of up-to-date vocational education and come up with actual changes, I'll be happily taking any troubles to complete this project. 

Thoughts on Vocational Education(2)

Vocational Education in South Korea and Australia

Then I will catch strengths of the system and deliver essential implications to the Korean vocational education sector, which falls way behind the Korea's recent economic competitiveness in the global market. 

Active visits to schools(named below) and industries with cooperation, in-depth observation of classes, detailed interviews with experts of schools and governmental bodies along with local students will be key activities of my project.

Thoughts on Vocational Education(1)

Vocational Education in South Korea and Australia

Australia has been acclaimed as one of the best providers of high quality vocational training at the secondary and higher education level. 

TAFE(Technical and Further Education) has been at the center of such advanced vocational education system in Australia. What distinguishes TAFEs most is that TAFEs have established solid cooperative relationship with industries over decades. 

Through this project, I sincerely hope to see the systematic vocational training on the spot and learn lessons from the industry-school collaboration model.

Walking around Cafes in Indonesia(3)

Introduction of Indonesian Cafes

Cafes in Jakarta, center of the nation's politics and economy, and cafes in Surabaya and Bandung, respectively 2^nd and 3^rd biggest city of Indonesia are included. 

Cafes in Bali, world-famous holiday island, and in Tokyo, Japan are touched upon as well. 'Walking around Cafes in Indonesia' is based upon the coffee lover's honest passion for Indonesia. 

Sincerely hope my book could turn out handy to guide potential readers to the new world of Indonesian coffee.

Walking around Cafes in Indonesia(2)

Introduction of Indonesian Cafes

That finally led to my frequent visits to cafes in the country. By that time, I also started working as an Indonesian correspondent for COFFEE SPACE, a monthly coffee magazine issued in Korea. 

Whenever available, I tried to walk around cafes with decent reputation here and there in the nation. Indonesian friends were generous enough to advise me places to navigate. Bookstores were right spots where I managed to collect useful information especially on weekend. 

In doing so, I've introduced 20 impressive cafes in Indonesia to COFFEE SPACE. 10 most memorable places out of the 20 were finally came on my e-book, 'Walking around Cafes in Indonesia'.

Walking around Cafes in Indonesia(1)

Introduction of Indonesian Cafes

It was back in 2013 when I first tapped into Indonesia. Since then, I sometimes stayed in the country over several months, sometimes purchased round trip flight tickets between Seoul and Jakarta twice a month. 

It all has severed me a precious opportunity to come closer with the 'Country of Equator'. As my horizon on Indonesia got broadened, the country came to me with diverse attractions. Coffee, called 'kopi' in the local language is one of the charming characteristics. 

Though somewhat unfamiliar to most Korean people, Indonesia is the 3^rd largest producer of coffee globally after Brazil and Vietnam. My desire to truly explore the local coffee culture becomes stronger as my experience on Indonesia gets richer in both quantity and quality. 

Why the World Pay Attention to Indonesia(4)

An Overview of Indonesia

This book aims to introduce still-unfamiliar Indonesia to South Korea in an easy way. 3-year-long experience in Indonesia mixed with curiosity of a former journalist produced 35 stories over Indonesian politics, economy, society and culture. Major cities in Java Island like Jakarta, Surabaya, Bandung, Jogjakarta, Solo(Surakarta) and Bali Island are touched upon, too. 

In addition, general map and information of Indonesia as well as simple Indonesian expressions are provided. From the bottom of my heart, I sincerely hope 'Why the World Pay Attention to Indonesia' will play a timely and meaningful role of narrowing distance between Indonesia and South Korea further.

It couldn't be better if this publication will prove itself helpful to those South Korean businesses and young people dreaming of their future in Indonesia.

Why the World Pay Attention to Indonesia(3)

An Overview of Indonesia

Relationship between Indonesia and South Korea is getting closer as well. More and more young generation in Indonesia goes wild with South Korean celebrities while South Korean electronic goods, IT gadgets and food gain huge popularity among the public. 

In fact, the number of Indonesian visitors to South Korea already reached 200,000 in 2014. On the other hand, as many as 2,200 South Korean businesses have been actively involved in Indonesia to navigate a new growth engine such as Halal market to cope with the 21st century. 

Against this background, it is a pity that Indonesia hasn’t been properly presented to South Koreans yet. Publications on Indonesia have mostly been focusing on tourism to Bali or Indonesian language learning. This is where ‘Why the World Pay Attention to Indonesia’ initiates. 

Why the World Pay Attention to Indonesia(2)

An Overview of Indonesia 

As a result of strengthened economic clout, Indonesia has been raising its voice in ASEAN. This also seems to be in line with changes in political landscape especially in the wake of the latest presidential election in 2014 from which the first civilian president came to office. 

Indonesia's color is not less unique in cultural and social aspect. It is no doubt that Indonesia represents a country of multi-culture and multi-race. As widely known, more than 300 ethnic groups with over 700 languages are observed in the territory.

 

This diversity is no exception in religious point of view. Though Indonesia has been considered as part of Islamic culture where around 85% of the population, some 210 million nationals are reported to be Muslims, religious freedom is preserved and protected under the constitution.

Why the World Pay Attention to Indonesia(1)

An Overview of Indonesia 

'Biggest island country in the world', 'Country with the largest Muslim population', 'Generate 40% of the total GDP(Gross Domestic Product) in ASEAN(The Association of Southeast Asian Nations)'.

All are called to describe Indonesia. Truly, the world is paying attention to Indonesia armed with the above top records even hard to get one by other nations.

Indonesia is being highlighted as the leader of emerging markets recently. Global money and talents have been rushing to Indonesia as its economy has shown a nearly-6%-solid growth on average during 2010-2014. 

A multi-national accounting firm even pictured a rosy outlook that Indonesia will be boasting of the 4th biggest GDP in the world in 2050 followed by China, America and India.