1. International exchange agreement with Nova Southeastern Univ. 2. Orientation for freshmen 3. DCU leads internationalization among Korea's cyber universities

Daegu Cyber University (http://www.dcu.ac.kr) looks set to take the lead in terms of internationalization among Korea's cyber universities. The University has recently established on-line master's/doctorate degree courses with prestigious Nova Southeastern University of the U.S. In an interview with The Korea IT Times, Lee Young-sae, president of Daegu Cyber University (DCU), says that cyber universities are global in nature, emphasizing that DCU is in the van of globalization among domestic cyber universities. Mr. Lee stresses cyber universities will take the place of their off-line counterparts, perhaps within 5-10 years from now. Because of their convenience, more and more students are recognizing the value of cyber universities and the trend can only but continue, he said. Government support needed Mr. Lee was recently chosen as chairman of the Cyber University Council, which is composed of heads of Internet-based distance learning institutes. Pointing out that the competitiveness of the university will be based on how it helps to realize the informatization of society, he explains cyber universities must become the center of university education by reflecting changes in the times. In that regard, Mr. Lee made an open request to government to financially support the cyber universities, indicating that the government supports the University of the Air to the sum of 30 to 40 billion won annually, and provides 300 billion won to private universities every year, whereas it gives less than 1 billion won to cyber universities. He said he is committed to doing his utmost to promote the role of cyber universities during his tenure as president of the Cyber University Council. Since its establishment in March 2002, DCU has opened its doors to everybody to offer a huge range of educational opportunities. Roughly 80% of its students are employees, with a much stronger motive to study than regular off-line students. By providing student-oriented educational opportunities, DCU is placing top priority on maximizing students' future value and competitiveness, Mr. Lee says. What is noteworthy about DCU is that in addition to being a user-oriented university, its syllabus is highly differentiated. Mr. Lee elaborates that DCU offers fields of study such as special education and social welfare and future-oriented special courses such as Internet and e-management. Specifically, to create a user-oriented university, DCU supports a self-motivated learning environment and tailor-made education at moderate expenses to provide lifetime education. DCU also emphasizes its role of services to the socially retarded and handicapped who need special care and concern. DCU pursues to embrace the world with love and devotion through cyber education. As part of their growth strategy, cyber universities should aim at differentiation such as establishing a social welfare department or a special education department as Daegu Cyber University has done, Mr. Lee advises. The success or failure of cyber universities depends on IT DCU takes full advantage of its parent institute, the University of Daegu with its 420 professors.

Lee Young-sae, president of Daegu Cyber University (DCU)

Further, as a self-styled 'open university', the student body of DCU is extremely broad, ranging from employees to housewives. Mr. Lee stresses that DCU devotes much attention to providing lifetime career management advice for graduates. Pointing out the difference between a cyber university and the University of the Air, Mr. Lee underscores that students can learn at their own pace, irrespective of time and space, since cyber universities don't need, or offer, lecture rooms. What's more, cyber universities teaches subjects that can be closely connected with the industrial world. In the case of DCU, the University offers the kind of hands-on practical education that broad swathes of business needs today, as represented by its computer information, special education, e-management, and social welfare departments. In relation to IT (information technology), Mr. Lee underlined, 'The success or failure of cyber education depends upon IT technology', adding that the development of the IT field indirectly helps cyber universities to develop. Many cyber universities are not in good financial shape because they are still in their 'investment stages.' In that regard, Mr. Lee concluded by saying that the government must proactively support cyber universities, in recognition of their growing importance. DCU is expected to stand on its own feet financially this year, and will enhance its level of internationalization by promoting exchanges with a foreign university.