Continuing its streak of global recognition, West Visayas State University (WVSU) marked another milestone as two of its faculty members represented the university and the King Sejong Institute Iloilo at the 2025 World Korean Educators Conference (세계한국어교육자대회) held from July 21 to 24 at The Shilla Seoul, South Korea.
Professor Ree Ran Park and Ms. Arizza Julia Inocencio, both Korean language instructors under the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), joined over 300 Korean language educators from 49 countries in the annual international gathering hosted by the King Sejong Institute Foundation (KSIF) under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of South Korea. The conference aimed to promote excellence and innovation in Korean language education and strengthen international collaboration across King Sejong Institutes worldwide.
At the opening ceremony, South Korea’s First Lady Kim Hea Kyung delivered a video message emphasizing the growing global impact of Korean language and culture.
“Thanks to the dedication and hard work of King Sejong Institute teachers, the seeds of the Korean language and culture have spread across the globe,” she said, recognizing the educators’ role in fostering cross-cultural understanding.
Now on its 17th year, the conference featured specialized training sessions on Korean language pedagogy, including updates on the Sejong Korean Assessment (SKA), adaptive i-SKA tools, and effective strategies for classroom instruction and cultural engagement.
Participants also shared model teaching cases and explored emerging technologies and trends in language education.
Ms. Inocencio, a graduate of WVSU’s BA in Foreign Languages, and Professor Park are at the forefront of the university’s efforts to strengthen Korean language education in the region through the King Sejong Institute Iloilo, which was officially designated in 2024.
This is not the first time WVSU has made its mark at the World Korean Educators Conference. In 2024, Dr. Ma. Asuncion Christine Dequilla, Vice President for Academic Affairs, represented the university at the same global event.
By continuously engaging in international academic and cultural platforms, WVSU strengthens its role as a center of global learning in Western Visayas, advancing both language education and cultural appreciation through the strong support of its faculty and international partners.
By Gladwyn B. Gustilo/ILLO
