Celebrating Korean Language and Culture
Kuala Lumpur, 7 November 2024 – HELP University recently hosted the inaugural Hangul Day Festival in Malaysia, marking the first celebration of South Korea’s Hangul Day on Malaysian soil on 9 October 2024. Jointly organised by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Malaysia and the Korean Education Center in Malaysia, the event attracted distinguished guests, including His Excellency Yeo Seung-Bae, Korean Ambassador to Malaysia; Professor Dr Liew Teik Kooi (Andy), Vice Chancellor of HELP University; Professor Dr. Jiwon Lee, Head of the Korean Mobility Programme at HELP University; and Mr. Jihoon Choi, Director of the Korean Education Center. The festival welcomed approximately 270 students and Korean language teachers from 10 schools in the Kuala Lumpur area that have incorporated Korean as a second language.
The event offered a rich cultural experience, featuring hands-on activities in Korean cuisine, traditional games, and crafts. Participants had the chance to sample popular dishes like tteokbokki and songpyeon, play traditional games such as jegichagi and tuho, and make DIY accessories using traditional Korean materials, including maedeup (Korean knots) and najeonchilgi (mother-of-pearl lacquerware). Students also enjoyed engaging in traditional crafts and trying on hanbok (traditional Korean clothing), fully immersing themselves in Korean culture.
In his welcoming remarks, Ambassador Yeo Seung-Bae underscored the significance of Hangul, stating, “Hangul is unique not only in its design but also in its scientific excellence. Its simplicity has helped South Korea achieve a near-zero illiteracy rate, which in turn has contributed greatly to our country’s human resource development and industrial growth.” He encouraged students to continue their studies, adding, “Mastering Korean can open doors to studying in Korea or pursuing careers with Korean companies, providing valuable opportunities for your future.”
A highlight of the festival was the “Hangul Day Quiz Golden Bell” competition, where students tested their knowledge of Hangul and the Korean language. The quiz was both educational and entertaining, with a special prize awarded to the top student, adding excitement to the celebration.
Vice Chancellor of HELP University, Professor Dr Liew Teik Kooi (Andy) commented on the festival’s impact, saying, “This festival not only celebrates the beauty of Hangul but also fosters a deeper understanding and appreciation of Korean culture among our students. It is vital for our educational community to embrace diverse languages and cultures, as they enrich our academic experience and personal growth.”
As Malaysia’s first Hangul Day Festival, this event highlights the growing importance of Hangul and Korean language education in the country. The festival served as an inspiration for Malaysian students, encouraging them to deepen their engagement with the Korean language and culture and providing fresh motivation to pursue their studies with enthusiasm.
For any PR or media-related inquiries, please contact:
Ms Saisundary Sundra Kumar
Senior Manager, Corporate Communications & Public Relations
HELP Tertiary
E: saisundary.sk@help.edu.my
About HELP University
HELP University was founded in 1986, and it has developed into a leading institution of higher learning in Malaysia. HELP University offers a wide range of social science, and humanities programmes, and is renowned for its psychology, accounting, business, law, education, and IT programmes. The university has embarked on a transformation journey to become the Analytics-Driven Entrepreneurial University.
In 2019, HELP University was awarded the Premier Digital Tech Institution (PDTI) status by the Malaysian Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) for being a leading digital tech-focused institution that produces high quality graduates for the workforce.
In 2020 it was awarded an overall 5 Stars rating by the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) an annual publication of university rankings. QS also awarded 5 Stars to HELP for the following categories: Teaching, Employability, Academic Development, Internationalisation, Facilities, Social Responsiveness, Inclusiveness, and Business and Management Studies (MBA). In 2021, HELP University was ranked No 1 among 650 universities in Asia for Outbound Student Exchange programmes by QS Rankings World University Ranking: Asia 2021. Besides standing as MDEC’s Premier Digital Tech Institution, HELP University was rated BERDAYA SAING (Competitive), the highest category, by the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia in 2022, and awarded the Employers’ Choice of University by Talenbank in 2024.
Visit https://university.help.edu.my for more information on HELP University.