Korean Language Introduced at KL University to Prepare Engg. Students for Korea-Linked Career

Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh: KL University has introduced Korean-language education within its Department of Foreign Languages, marking an important step in the expansion of Korean Studies in South India and opening a new academic pathway for engineering students seeking careers in Korea-linked industries.

The university launched the Korean Language Program with the objective of producing graduates who combine technical knowledge with Korean language proficiency. The initiative is expected to create stronger career opportunities for students in Korean multinational companies, India-based Korean industries, technology firms, manufacturing units and other sectors connected with South Korea.

To support the newly introduced programme, KL University appointed Shyam Kumar Anand as Assistant Professor, specialising in the Korean language and Korean Studies. His appointment gave the programme a dedicated academic foundation at a time when Korean language learning has been witnessing rising interest among Indian students.

“Our aim is to produce graduates who combine engineering expertise with Korean language skills, so that they can access strong career opportunities in Korea-related industries,” said Shyam Kumar Anand, Assistant Professor, Korean Language and Korean Studies, KL University.

The programme received an encouraging response in its initial phase, with more than 300 engineering students enrolling in Korean language courses. The strong student participation reflected the growing relevance of Korean language education in India, especially among young learners who see South Korea not only as a centre of K-pop, K-drama and popular culture but also as a major economic and technological partner of India.

“The response from students has been very encouraging. More than 300 engineering students have already enrolled in Korean language courses, which clearly shows that young Indian students are looking at the Korean language as a career-enabling skill,” Anand said.

KL University, which has a total student strength of about 26,000, sees substantial potential for expanding Korean language education on its campus. The university plans to gradually develop the initiative into a comprehensive Korean Studies pathway, eventually offering undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes in Korean Language and Korean Studies.

According to Anand, Korean language education at KL University was being visualised not merely as an additional foreign language course, but as a long-term academic and professional pathway.

“We want to gradually develop this initiative into a full-fledged Korean Studies programme. With the strength of KL University’s engineering and technology education, the Korean language can become a powerful value addition for students who wish to work with Korean companies or pursue Korea-related careers,” he said.

The university’s vision is closely linked to the changing employment landscape. As Korean companies continue to expand their operations in India, there is a growing need for Indian professionals who can work across languages, cultures, and technologies. Engineering graduates with Korean-language skills are expected to have an advantage in sectors such as automobiles, electronics, semiconductors, manufacturing, IT, infrastructure, logistics, and business services.

KL University is also planning to collaborate with Korean companies operating in India to make the programme more industry-oriented. Such partnerships could help students gain exposure to Korean corporate culture, internships, placement opportunities, industrial visits, training modules and real-world career pathways.

“We are keen to collaborate with Korean companies in India so that our students can understand not only the language but also the Korean work culture, industry expectations and professional communication. Such collaborations can create meaningful bridges between classroom learning and employment,” Anand said.

The university is also seeking greater collaboration and support from the Korean Education Centre and Korean multinational companies in India. Academic and industry partnerships could help strengthen the Korean language curriculum, support faculty development, provide scholarships, facilitate student exchange, and encourage joint activities related to Korean culture, business and education.

The initiative assumed significance at a time when India and South Korea have been deepening cooperation in multiple areas, including trade, investment, manufacturing, technology, education and cultural exchange. Korean companies already have a strong presence in India, and the demand for professionals with cross-cultural and language capabilities is likely to increase further.

For South India, the introduction of Korean language education at KL University added a new dimension to the spread of Korean Studies beyond traditional metropolitan centres. While Korean language learning has gained visibility in cities such as Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai, the programme at KL University showed that demand was now emerging strongly among engineering students in Andhra Pradesh as well.

The university’s plan to eventually offer full-fledged degree programmes in Korean Language and Korean Studies could also help strengthen the academic foundation for Korea-related research and education in the region. If further developed, the programme may serve as a bridge among Indian students, Korean institutions, and Korean industries operating in India.

“The growing interest in the Korean language is not limited to culture alone. Students are also looking at South Korea as a country of technology, innovation and employment opportunities. This is why Korean Studies can play an important role in India’s higher education space,” Anand said.

The launch of the Korean Language Program at KL University, therefore, represents more than the addition of a foreign language course. It signals a larger academic and career-oriented strategy to align higher education with emerging India-Korea opportunities.

With more than 300 students already enrolled, the initiative has started on a promising note. Its future growth will depend on sustained academic planning, institutional partnerships, industry support and the ability to connect language learning with employability.

As KL University advances its Korean Studies vision, the programme is expected to contribute to Korea-India educational cooperation and help prepare a new generation of Indian engineers equipped with both technical expertise and Korean-language skills.