Sogang University (
hangul: 서강대학교
hanja: ) is one of the leading research and
liberal arts universities in
Seoul,
South Korea.
The University was established in 1960 by the
Society of Jesus to provide education based on the
Catholic beliefs and inspired by the
Jesuit educational philosophy, such as
Georgetown University in the U.S and
Sophia University in Japan.
It ranked
1st in Korea among 4-year universities without medical schools in
JoongAng Ilbo University Ranking Evaluation in 2008 and
2nd in Korea in terms of reputation of graduates' ability in
Chosun Ilbo University Ranking Evaluation in 2009.
In addition to providing university education, the
Korean Language Education Center at Sogang teaches Korean as a foreign language to students from around the world.
History
Beginnings,The Early Years (1948-1959)
At the initiative of the
Catholic Hierarchy of Korea,
Pope Pius XII gave assurance that an institution of higher learning would have been founded in Korea. Later he entrusted the task to the
Society of Jesus(Sep,1948) Fr. Theodor Geppert, S.J. from
Sophia University in Tokyo came to Korea and started searching for a suitable site to establish a Jesuit college in Korea.(Oct,1954) Fr. Leo Burns, S.J., Superior of the Wisconsin Province came to Korea and, together with the
Catholic Hierarchy, began negotiations with the Government for the foundation of the college.(Feb,1955) The
Society of Jesus purchased a property of 67,075 Pyong (217,323 sq. meters, 53...
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