When you enter the Kyungil University campus in Gyeongsan, Gyeongbuk, you can notice a large placard, saying ‘Students’ Happiness 365’, which is posted on the wall of the library auditorium. On the placard are pictures of students who are smiling brightly and the phrase ‘KIU has started to talk about students’ happiness.’ The placard contains a declaratory statement about making a university where students’ happiness is the top priority.

KIU is conducting a campaign of ‘Students’ Happiness 365’ beginning this year. KIU is trying to make a university where students feel happy through three missions such as confidence for happiness, attainment of happiness, and sharing of happiness. KIU students will have self-confidence for happiness through education renovation, realize happiness through a wide variety of school activities, and practice the spirit of sharing through volunteer work and donation.

KIU constituted the ‘KIU Committee on Education Innovation’, established a ‘subcommittee on creativity education’ and a ‘subcommittee on students’ happiness’ in February, and is establishing or practising specific action plans.

The subcommittee on creativity education(director, vice-president Kim Gwang-ju) implemented a ‘flexible semester’(Freshman Life) for the first time in February, in which prospective students can get credit by attending the orientation session for freshmen. The subcommittee also held seminars on the subject of ‘Our university’s education renovation, what does it aim for?‘ for all faculty members to analyze the concept of talent, the objectives of education, the school curriculum and to seek for plans of educational renovation at the library auditorium on August 24th.

The upgrading work which accumulates various kinds of individual information systems dotted around the campus based on big data is currently underway. If this work is finished, all of the systems in the university campus will be integrated into one system, and it is expected that administrative and counseling services will be improved and optimized.

The subcommittee on students’ happiness(director, vice-president Park Hee-ju) designated the first Wednesday of every month as ‘students’ happiness day’(KIU-Happy-Day) and organized events such as giving a discount in the university cafeteria, health examination, psychology consultation, special lectures for employment, exhibition of students’ works under the supervision of the center for students’ happiness and human rights. The subcommittee also established the student ombudsman system to monitor the class and educational management, educational facilities and programs etc.

KIU finished creating its pleasant campus by replacing all the lights in the campus with LED lighting and remodeling its restrooms and lecture rooms on a large scale during summer vacation. KIU has become a national topic of conversation by furnishing each dormitory room with a refrigerator for the first time all over the country in April. And every year, about 800 students, more than 10% of all students, go abroad for language training, theme travel, and field training during their vacation.

Lee, Kyung-eun(Junior, School of Design) said “After school began, I was surprised to see the restroom in our campus.” and “The restroom is so clean and comfortable that I feel good whenever I use the restroom.”

President Chung, Hyun Tae said “the happiness of university and community demands students’ happiness like my family’s happiness demands ‘my’ happiness.” and he added “All of the school policies like education renovation, investment in facilities, scholarship and welfare systems are aimed at the happiness of our students.”