Korean Buddy turns to a Korean Family

The day began with a trip to the Korea Institute of Energy Research (KIER), about 40-minute car ride from our school. We passed through Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) for a short cut and arrived the artificial football field with cold winds blowing onto our face.

We were against a formidable team of Korea's Board of Audit and Inspection (OOOooooOOO...), they had bright colored uniforms and by their movements during warming up, this team must've played together for years.

Our team met once (and I was hiking last week) last Sunday at the basketball court for some familiarisation, so we did not expect so much in this first game.

KIER astro turf field

KDI United Football Club 'First Team'
Standing from L-R: Bondy Bukva (Czech Republic), Kim (Korea) Keith Hamusute (Zambia - African Champs),
Sergio Villegas (Colombia), Peter Akac (Slovakia), Yeshi (Bhutan), Dhen (Korea), Andre Warken (Brasil)
Sitting from L-R: Jose Emanuel (Peru), (Lao DPR), Jung Jr. (Korea), Jose Scholz (Bolivia), Haftom Teferi (Ethiopia),
Afdal Izal (Malaysia), (Lao DPR)

Looking at our team of internazionale, we were hoping for a dynamic team. I prefer to call them International XI as we had team mates from all over the world.

The game was played in five quarters with 20 minute intervals. It seems this is how Koreans play football here, and somehow that answers my question on Park Ji-sung never ending running on the field playing for Manchester United. They sure can run.

And guess what? We scored the first goal. Yeay! Me in my usual position since U-12, being a fan of Peter Shilton the Engand goal keeper, I managed to save a few crucial shots and after the fifth quarter, let's just say we're 3 goals down in margin. Hehe... it was a good game though.

KDI United in Orenge

From KIER, I had to attend a class at 1400H, the game finished at 1230H and arrived campus at just over 1300H. Cleaned myself up and went straight to Academic Writing class. I was sleepy, but managed to go through the 3-hour session.

The next event was an invitation by my buddy, Bryan Kim Myoung Suk through the school's Buddy Program,. Bryan and I met every week since we were assigned together as buddies. He is sincere, can accept my jokes when his jokes are pretty bad (Sorry Bryan - just kidding) accepts and respect the different faith we have. After two weeks, he invited me for a dinner with his family. I appreciated it even more when he said that it will be his son's fourth birthday in Korean age (I'll cover this later).

The Kims 

At first he told me to ride the subway Green Line (Line No. 2) to Samseoung Station and he'll pick me up from there. But, his mum (yes, he is omma's boy) probably scolded him and requested him to drive me from our school to the hotel plaza we're having dinner. I advised him that I do not eat pork (dwaejigogi aniyo) and he was more than happy to accommodate to my request. Thanks Bryan!

Now to the little boy Jun Kim. He certainly is a handful. He was excited to see me even though it was our first meeting, what more seeing an ajeossi (uncle) with a birthday present. Jun reminded me of my sons very much. Active, a chatter, and quite well behaved. He immediately opened his present and played with it. I guess he was very happy to receive my present. At four, he sang a lot of songs that entertained me during our dinner. He spoke to me in Korean and I tried my best to communicate to him. Played the things I play with my sons like paper planes, making funny faces and kids jokes that any language barrier could be broken.

Bryan's mom, Mrs. Grace was a typical mother in the Asian sense of the word. Like their sons to listen to them (well, I am a mama's boy too), makes sure everything is served well and proper, never lets my plate empty and makes sure all of us were well fed.

The hadith that for excellence in the world and hereafter begins with the parent's blessing, is indeed a good reminder for one's strive to success.

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللٌّهِ )ص): مَنْ أَرْضَى وَالِدَيْهِ فَقَدْ أَرْضَى اللٌّهَ وَ مَنْ أََسْخَطَ وَالِدَيْهِ فَقَدَ أَسْخَطَ اللٌّهَ.

The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family) said: “One who pleases his parents has verily pleased Allah, and one who has angered his parents has verily angered Allah.”

Kanzul `Ummal, Volume 16, Page 470

Bryan with his omma

Saengil Chuka Hamnida Jun Kim!

After dinner, (where I consumed a lot of kimchi which Bryan's wife, Sungeong was quite impressed) Sungeong brought us cakes for Jun's birthday and the lil' Kim taught me again to sing the birthday song in Korea: "Saengil chuka hamnida..."

I had a great time with them, and the hospitality of Bryan Kim's family was overwhelming. His mother even "commanded" Bryan to send me back to campus that will take them one-hour return trip. I insisted that Bryan should just send me to the Samseong train station. But arguing with a mom, you know it would go no where. Hahah...

I felt the warmth of Bryan's family when his mom, Grace said to me; "You are our family, you must sacrifice a lot to be far away from your country and leaving your family behind." Even with the cold spring night, I never felt warmer in weeks listening to Bryan's mother words of comfort.

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Seoul Fortress Wall

Phew...! There goes the week.

Had mid term exams on Analysis of Market and Public Policy (Marginal cost; marginal revenue; Pareto Efficiency etc.) It was a take home exams, but I felt like I couldn't take the answers to a home run. It was quite tough, though I hope my answers were acceptable to the UCLA trained professor.

Mount Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia 4,095m (13,435 feet)

My first hiking experience was more than 10 years ago climbing the highest mountain in Southeast Asia, Mount Kinabalu in Sabah, Borneo. The mountain's initial height was 4,101m in 1996, but in 1997, a re-survey using satellite technology established its summit, known as Low's Peak with its new height at 4,095m (13,435ft). Hence, on my official certificate from Sabah Park still has the old measurement.

On 18 March 2012, Sunday morning, the school's hiking club organized our first hike along the mountains of Seoul Fortress Wall. 

This time in Korea, after weeks of training and walking up and down the hills from our dorms to the class, I was more than sure to be prepared and conditioned my mind and seoul to climb  Mount Inwangsan (338m) and Mount Bukagsan (342m).

KDI Hiking Club members with Prof. Abraham Shragge (red towel on his neck) and our sherpa,
Kevin Park (fourth from right) Sajik Park, Seoul

(Picture by Sana Mangi - Club President)

The 5,700m trail from Sajik Park to Malbawi Information Center

We assembled ourselves at the school's lobby at 0900H and walked to Hoegi Station. Took the Blue Line (Number 1) to Jongno-3ga Station about seven stops and transferred to the Orange Line (Number 3) to Dongnimmun Station - only two stops. From there we walked to Sajik Park, the point where the hike will start to ascend.

"Easy" 338m Mt. Inwangsan
(Picture by Vesna Sumic)

Arriving Sajik Park was peaceful with senior citizens exercising and kids playing b-ball. We arrived later than schedule at 1020H, and had a ten minute toilet break as it was against the park rules to urinate on the mountains (and I did not see anyone doing it along the way - not that I peek)

From Sajik Park to the peak of Mount Inwangsan took us about 2 hours with two stops. My legs and knees began to feel its lactic acid building up on the first hour of hike, but I pushed on after seeing girls and ajumma (aunty) walking with ease. They sure are fit!   

Kids having fun

I saw a lot of families walking casually and in my mind this must be family affair with halmeoni (grandmas), ajumma (aunties), harabeoji (granddads), ajeossi (uncles). 

The little girls with red cheeks reminded me of my nieces and they looked like they were having fun. I saw teachers supervising their students and everything was in control and disciplined.

Mount Inwangsan's rocks
(Picture by Vesna Sumic)

On top of the world!

(Picture by Sana Mangi)

We decided for lunch break for about 45 minutes, before continuing our journey descending Mt. Inwangwsan and ascending to Mount Bugaksan. My initial thought was that we were only going to climb one mountain, but when Kevin Park said that we will climb another, I almost said that one is enough. But having experienced breath taking views, I knew I would not miss this for the world.

Kevin leading the way

From Mt. Inwangsan  to Mt. Bugaksan, Kevin got lost when he led us to the same route climbing up the first mountain. We had to re-route to Mt. Bugaksan.

A view of Mount Bugaksan from Mount Inwangsan

For security purposes, we registered ourselves at the Changuimun Information Centre as the mountain ridges had anti-aircraft guns manned by the Korean Army. We were advised to bring either our passports or the Alien registration card similar to Malaysia's Identification Card, the MyPR card.

Pass Card  for Mt. Bugaksan

Mt. Bugaksan was higher and the hills were steeper even with cemented stairs and wooden handles along the mountain. The climb took us about two hours as well.

One step at a time please, Mt. Bugaksan

(Picture by Vesna Sumic)

On top of Mt. Bugaksan

(Picture by Sana Mangi)

A brief history of Seoul's fortress wall:

One of the most conspicuous remnants of Seoul’s ancient past is the Seoul Fortress wall(서울성곽) that still encircles much of the old city. First constructed in 1396 – just five years after King Taejo founded the Joseon Dynasty – the earthen wall was built to join the ridge lines of the four small mountains that surrounded Seoul proper – Namsan (남산) in the south, Inwangsan (인왕산) to the west, Naksan (낙산) to the east, and Bugaksan (북악산) in the North. Although much of the old fortress wall has been torn down, significant portions remain and others are being rebuilt.

A stretch of Seoul’s old fortress wall

As you walk along the wall, you can tell from the size and shape of the stones which era in which it was built. The original walls, built in the late 14th century were constructed of medium-sized round stones held together by mud. The next major expansion, which took place during King Sejong the Great’s reign in the mid 15th century, are marked by rectangular stones closely fit together. Another major restoration in 1704 was when King Sukjong rebuilt sections of the wall using large, uniform stone slabs joined so tightly that even a sheet of paper can’t fit in-between.

http://discoveringkorea.com/2010/09/14/hiking-seoul-fortress/ 

In all, it was the part of Seoul that I wanted to experience and enjoy. After a month in Seoul, I was looking forward to view Seoul from another perspective. 

The next hiking is right after mid-terms on April 6th (Sunday) but for this hike it is organized by the school's student affairs department. This time to Mount Bukhan. 

Unfortunately I will be going to Gwangyang, about six hours train ride from Seoul to attend an event for POSCO scholars. It will be a great opportunity to see more of Korea and get to know other fellows in Korean universities. Though I wished I could scale the mountains once again.

Until then, Mount Inwangsan and Bugaksan - till we meet again!

Mt. Bugaksan from my room at Hae Jung-Sa 

These boots are meant for walking, and that's just what they'll do
My four year old  all-terrain Timberland Boots - you have serve me well

l

Power Ages Men

This will be Obama's year of election. In November 2012 he will have his acid test on his policies, his decisions and his so called rethoric on "Change", "Believe" and "Yes, We Can!" campaign slogans in 2008.

I am not going to talk about politics or the US primaries, but I wish to talk about one of the things that man crave for - POWER and AGE (being young without grey hairs or bald).

Being in my thirties, some say I look 25, some say I look older than my age. I realise that most of my soldier buddies age fast due to the military training, but when I see older Military officers, they somehow look younger than their age. Its either they owe it to their fitness level and taking good care of their health or simply just being young at heart.

Obama: Before his presidency, a year after, and now

I would like to share a research by the Wellness Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio on reasons why men age when they were in power. The research headed by Dr. Michael Roizan suggested that presidents of the US age every two years of their presidency, which means that when they take office at the age lets say 50, after their first term four years later, their real age is 54 but they look or feel like they're 58.

These factors according to the research is related to the stresses they face as the leader of the free world.

There are temporary stress, like the stresses you have from having a broken leg and thinking what are the obstacles you need to face to move around, or a death of a relative stress, money problems, moving to a new job or place kind of stress.

Then there's the constant stress or unending stress. Stresses in making decisions for the country, stresses in the media and the constant pressure from opposing parties. People like you and me tend to share the burden with our spouses, our circle of friends, but presidents do not have that privilege of sharing - lets say asking his college buddy: "Hey, Bibi Netanyahu is in town, what'dya think I say to him about Israel and the West Bank? My advisors said...." well you get the point.

Back to the aging process.

The research pointed out on the health related issues like high blood pressure, high cholesterol and life-style as one of the factors that most leaders are constantly monitored for. They have to keep in shape and have a clean bill of health.

Obama looks a bit greyish on his hairline and the wrinkles have started to show.

Obama in 2011

George W. Bush ages from 2001 to 2009
- sometimes I miss him, who else can we mock a US President if we don't have good ol' Dubya!

This is also true to the current Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato' Sri Mohd. Najib Tun Razak who has been in politics since he was in his early twenties. He became the youngest Menteri Besar (Chief Minister) of Pahang, but being the number one in the government has also taken its toll in terms of aging. 



The young Dato' Sri Mohd Najib in his twenties (Standing second from left)



With greyer and lesser hair during his tenure as the Minister of Defense



The sixth Prime Minister of Malaysia aging gracefully at 58 years old
Born 23 July 1953

In a sense, being in power makes one wiser and sometimes older than one's real age. Some like the pressure and the demands of staying in power. Some may just be there for a while and eventually gets tired of it.

As the fifth Prime Minister, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said to Malaysians in Korea during his visit a fortnight ago, "You must always have the power of love, more than the love of power."

Serve to Lead.

Aimran

080808

Dear readers,

Thank you for the emails, responses and taking the time to visit my blog.

I just came back from a five-hour hike to Mount Inwangsan (338m) and Mount Bugaksan (342m). I will blog about this in due course.

Mid terms is encroaching the students this week and things have been a bit crazy.

I have had around 920 visitors for the first week and I am putting my elementary Qualitative and Quantitative analysis on the posts I have been sending. Not bad I must say.

Aimran's story came up top of the pops with 100 views! Followed by the From Salak to Seoul, 89 views (and that does not come close!) and the third spot goes to the Royal Military College entry with 83 views 

As I said in Aimran's posting, his name means prosperity. I also mentioned that he is the leader of the pack, and I think he is by looking at his fans! Unfortunately, Arfan is the least visited among his brothers, and I think this has to do with the second child syndrome. It's okay son, I know you have a lot of potential.

I guess if I want more readers, I will need to share my inner thoughts on my sons, my family and how to assist more Malaysians and Asians to pursue their studies in Korea.

I will try to cater to all of these issues, but sometimes I will also share on the public and foreign policy part just for my reference in the future. Which clearly shows people do not want to read the heavy stuffs on one's blog.

Take care, and to those who are preparing their sons and daughters for school tomorrow. Take it easy!

Sincerely,

sirmudas.

POSCO TJ Park Foundation 2012

Asia Fellowship

Alhamdulillah (Praise to Allah) I was selected after a rigorous process to receive the Asia Fellowship award and pursue my postgraduate studies here in Korea.

It is a distinct honour and a privilege to be chosen amongst competitive candidates all around Asia. I see it as one of my lucky stars, because  I was quite surprised and did not expect it as much. 

The award in my humbled mind is a motivation or a catalyst for me to strive hard. I only wish my mother could see this. 

With Executive Vice President TJ Park Foundation, Mr. Woo-In Lee
(I look more like my father with the hairline reclining)

The ceremony was done in punctuality that began with welcoming remarks from the emcee, and followed by congratulatory speech from the Executive Vice President of the foundation. The Dean of the school Mr. Sang-Woo Nam also congratulated the fellows for being selected and wished us to perform well in our studies and learn as much as Korean culture and be proficient in the Korean language.

It was done with good timing and I was given the honour as the first fellow to deliver the acceptance speech. 

Give a Budak Boy the chance to speak and he can crack jokes if he wanted to

I gave a three minute remarks with basic Korean of introducing myself:

Bang'ap seumnida; (Nice to meet you)

Joneun Afdal Izal imnida; (My name is Afdal Izal)

Joneun Malaysia saram imnida. (I am a Malaysian)

And the rest as they say is history.

The acceptance speech from four other fellows as follows:

1. Vu Khanh Linh - Vietnam

2. Shinali Nurylbek - Kazakhstan

3. Nurgul Myendu - Mongolia

4. Mahmud Tohtiev - Uzbekistan

Congratulations sirs/madams.

The Asia Fellows with their conferment of letter award
From L-R Mahmud, Linh, Afdal, Nurylbek, Nurgul 

I wish to give my appreciation to my late mother for her guidance and love. She was my good friend, my teacher and my confidante. 


She always prayed for my success and I truly hope I have become the son that she's proud of.


Thanks ma.

A picture taken at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, USA holding my mama's arm
(after much pursuasion from the cameraman)

    

Technology and the Disruption of Global Power

Seoul Plaza Hotel

I attended a talk at the Seoul Plaza Hotel about 50 meters from Westin Chosun Hotel that I went two days earlier, this talk is also under the banner of the Korea Foundation.

I took the 7.00 a.m. bus to Hoegi Station and arrived the hotel at 7.40 a.m.

Breakfast was good with three course meal and the main dish being eggs sunny side up (for KRW2,100 about RM5.60 price of return transportation, not bad for a five-star hotel meal).

I met with Mr. Abdullah Ahmad Zawawi the Embassy of Malaysia's Deputy Chief of Mission - I guess he has to write a report back to HQ about this event. He said that it was good of me to attend such talks as most of the events in Seoul has to be paid with your own pocket which costs around US$1,500 (about RM4,500). That's about a month of my living stipends here in Korea!

Lucky me - or I am just being an opportunist.

Well for the quest of knowledge, I am prepared to be called that term.

  ~ Alec Ross

Ross has no formal training in technology. And unlike most of Washington's tech policy leaders, he wasn't groomed at the Federal Communications Commission or through the FCC Bar Association



The talk lasted about 40 minutes and the usual 20 minutes Q&A.

Twitter @AlecJRoss

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's Senior Advisor for Innovation.

When the emcee of the session introduced him as the famous and well known star of new media, I really thought he was this actor who played Private Daniel Jackson in the movie Saving Private Ryan.



Barry Pepper



 Box Office hit "Saving Private Ryan" 1998
 Private Daniel Jackson in the movie



He does have that resemblance, if you check out his pictures further down in this entry.

Enough about Mr. Pepper, now for the real star.

Most influential people in their 40s ~ Alec Ross

Alec Ross serves as Senior Advisor for Innovation to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, where he is tasked with maximizing the potential of technology and innovation in service of America’s diplomatic goals and stewarding Secretary of State Clinton’s 21st Century Statecraft agenda.


In this role, Alec helps ensure America’s leadership and advances the State Department’s interests on a range of issues from Internet Freedom to disaster response to responding to regional conflicts.

Previously, Alec served as the Convener for Obama for America’s Technology, Media & Telecommunications Policy Committee and served on the Obama-Biden Presidential Transition Team.

In 2000, he and three colleagues co-founded the nonprofit organization One Economy (1Malaysia?) and grew it from modest origins in a basement into the world’s largest digital divide organization, with programs on four continents.

He was named the 2010 Middle East/North Africa Technology Person of the Year, cited by the Huffington Post as one of “10 Game Changers in Politics,” named a “game changer” as one of Politico’s “50 Politicos to watch” in 2010, and named one of 40 under 40 leaders in international development.

Alec has served as a guest lecturer at numerous institutions including the United Nations, Harvard Law School, Stanford Business School, the London School of Economics, and a number of parliamentary bodies. His writing has appeared in publications including the SAIS Review of International Affairs, the NATO Review and the Hague Journal of Diplomacy.

Alec started his career as a sixth grade teacher through Teach for America in inner-city Baltimore where he lives with his wife and their three young children.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

He became Clinton's senior advisor at 37 years-old which is impressive with Washington's pool of talent.

His talk today began with the cost of starting up an internet business 10 years ago and comparing it with today's cost. According to Ross, in 2002, to start an internet company you need at least a capital of US$150,000 (RM450,000) a month to keep it running. About US$2 million a year for the upkeep of  your business. Nowadays, in just 10 years you don't need that kind of money as you can start with only US$1,500 a month. This he says any 22 year-old can start giving out business ideas in their basement and make some money or... not.

Then he further elaborated on the ideas his staffers had during the January 2010 Haiti earthquake which due to the time zone difference, the news began to relay into the US when people were on their way back home.

He said Secretary Clinton wanted to raise the awareness of the American people to contribute in any way they can to the Haitian people. And so, three of Ross' staff, all of them ladies came up with the idea that as most Americans have mobile phones and spends millions of dollars on text messages, why not use that mechanism for Americans to text and $10.00 will be charged on their telephone bills.

In two weeks they managed to collect US$30 million!

Mobile giving to help Haiti exceeds $30 million

Ross' highlighted that, this did not involve a congressional body or a senior governmental official to be doing such a noble cause but it takes only three women to achieve this.

He gave examples of the Arab Spring to elaborate on the role of Facebook and Twitter in starting a revolution and stressed that it is not Facebook Revolution or Twitter Revolution.

Revolution happens when people starts to complain about the high cost of living, the ruling families hand in the nation's wealth (sounds too familiar?), government's heavy-handed role in the media and propaganda. So it is still being called as a people's revolution.

One of the points that was important to highlight was the role of the main stream media with propaganda influence as well. It works when people have only one TV channel, one newspaper - but in today's world that simply do not work.

I have many more points to share, but if I were to write it all, this would be too boring and it'll be a ministerial report rather than easy reading.

I'll just see if readers like to know more through the visitor tracking.

Until then, have a great weekend guys!

Annexes

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/05/AR2009040501732.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/alec-ross/gIQAAw8CAP_topic.html

Why He Matters


  

~ Honey Moon ~

SHAREEL SALWA

This entry is about a girl whose name in Arabic literally means Honey Moon. 

Her name is Shareel Salwa Abdullah. 

The girl who stole my heart over and over again
CN Tower, Toronto, Canada 2009

She has been my partner in crime. My rock. My best friend.

And most important of all she accepts me for who I am. My imperfections. My temper which she said I "borrowed' from my old man.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A picture in our early twenties, a long long time ago, in a galaxy far far away
(Kota Kinabalu je) Promenade, KK

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A symbol of seeing everything in a bigger picture
Team Alpha after descending from CN Tower
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


One of our many misadventures
Orlando, Florida 2009


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thank you for the eight wonderful honey moon years, my favourite waste of time.

Wishful thinking All Blacks with his number one fan

"Global Higher Education from the Eyes of Harvard University"

39th Korea Foundation Forum ~ Westin Chosun, Seoul 

One of the things I love about this school is the series of talks and seminars for students who are interested (and can wake up early enough) to attend the various think tanks seminars in Korea which the school posts on the virtual school board. 

One of the things I miss about my job when I was in Washington was attending the seminars by numerous think tanks in the DC area such as the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), Brookings Institution, John Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) and the Center of Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). Though I was lucky enough not to be 'thrown' straight into the gauntlet without proper guidance from my boss. 

I was only given the opportunity after my boss was confident that I will  execute my task diligently if and when people start to ask me about Malaysia. After about three months of doing daily reports on the media and having contacts among the ASEAN and OIC countries were I able to start my field work. 

Hence, I decided that while I am in Korea, I shall utilise my time here to attend as many talks and seminars outside of campus and learn as many as possible. They don't call it the world is your classroom for nothing, eh!

My room mate and I decided to register for one of the talks and so we went as early as 7:00 a.m. to catch the bus to Hoegi (Hay-GEE) blue line subway station to Seoul City Hall Station. 

The bus and subway ride took us about 40 minutes with the morning rush hour.

The crowded subway from Hoegi Station to Seoul City Hall Station (about 10 stops)

Today's talk was organised by the Korea Foundation, a governmental funded organisation which was established on 14 December 1991 with the purpose of:-

Promoting better understanding of Korea within the international community and to increase friendship and goodwill between Korea and the rest of the world through various exchange programs. (Article 1, Korea Foundation Act)

The Foundation's main activities are:

- organises, supports and participates in various events aimed at fostering international exchange;

- dispatches and invites specialists committed to international exchange;

- supports overseas research in Korea and distributes the results of such research;

- engages in various activities aimed at promoting knowledge and understanding of Korea within the international community; 

- increases friendship and goodwill between Korea and the rest of the world via exchange and cooperation with major overseas international exchange organisations;

- supports activities by overseas Korean organisations to improve the status of Korea in the international community and to promote national solidarity;

- organises and engages in various programmes  required to achieve the mission and goals to the Foundation (Articel 6, Korea Foundation Act)

KF's Strategic Map

For today's forum, Dr. Jorge I. Dominguez, the Vice Provost for International Studies, Harvard University articulated about "Global Higher Education from the Eyes of Harvard University."

Jorge I. Domínguez is Antonio Madero Professor for the Study of Mexico, vice provost for international affairs, special advisor for international studies to the dean of the faculty of arts and sciences, and chairman of the Harvard Academy for International and Area Studies. His current research focuses on the international relations and domestic politics of Latin American countries. For more information, visit http://www.people.fas.harvard.edu/~jidoming.

The talk was held perfectly in terms of timing, whereby Dr. Dominguez was only given 40 minutes to talk and about 20 minutes for Question and Answers.

With my brief experience at Malaysia's National Institute of Public Administration (INTAN), a Harvard professor is paid between RM150,000 - RM300,000 (US$50,000 - US$100,000)  per session with course materials and 5 to 8 hours of training, excluding airline tickets which is to be paid by the institution as well.  So, I can fairly guess how much KF is paying the guy in Korean Won.

The 40 minute talk that caught my attention was:

For universities to grow there are certain necessary freedoms. 

Freedoms from - the church (religion); from the state (governments); donors (funds, grants); arrogance (elitism); from people like himself (university staff and members of the board); and freedom from the past. 

What intrigued me the most about his talk was freedom from arrogance. According to the speaker, Harvard University as an elite institution should not and will not be tied to arrogance.

Arrogance in the sense that for example, if someone graduated from the university and decided to pursue his career in the academia world as a Harvard professor, he or she should not expect preferential treatment. He has to compete with other universities with the talent they have and not because they are from Harvard. He also said that everyone has the potential even if they were graduates from little known universities (like University Malaysia Sabah) but have the quality and talent that Harvard sees in them.

He somehow challenged Korea's practice of taking in certain graduates from certain universities (where they are known to recruit only graduates from i.e. Korea University or it further helps if you're from the same province).

My comments: I prefer to see it as brand or marketing. I remembered during my year-long stint as an Exco of the Student Council, the President of the council tends to take in undergraduates from the School of Science and Technology for organising school projects and task. His argument was simple, I know what you're capable of, and I don't want to take any chances. If this project fails its not going to be only your ass, but mine too. On the other hand, I tend to see that this is what makes Harvard an elite institution or exclusivity, if I may.

An article about the talk was already in the Korea Times website  this evening, which I like to share on the high points of the speaker:

“A university must identify the mistakes that it has made and admit them and be smart enough to correct them,” he said. “Harvard has a shameful history. It wrongfully discriminated against African-Americans, Jews, and women in the past. But I am proud that all of these traits of Harvard history are being or have been overcome. It is important for people like me to acknowledge this in public.” 

There are currently 236 Koreans in the school (not sure Korean Americans or South Koreans), Malaysia has about 30 post and undergraduates. Though it is a dream for most of my Malaysian colleagues, I had the honour of knowing a close acquaintance in my PTD service who graduated from Harvard in 2008, and currently doing her PhD at the International Islamic University of Malaysia (UIA) in Kuala Lumpur.

Kak Ida Saliny, you're my benchmark!

I do hope I can follow your footsteps. Going to UIA, I mean. Hihi...

The audience were mainly from the Diplomatic Corps, Korean Universities and one notable mention was a professor from the National University of Singapore (NUS) when she asked about the Asian Century which was not answered