코리아타임즈는 5월 14일 장하성 고려대학교 경영전문대학원 원장을 집중 인터뷰한 기사를 1면에 게재했다.(정명아) 

 장하성 원장은 고려대 MBA를 아시아 최상급으로 발돋움시키겠다며 글로벌한 인재를 키워내기 위한 구체적인 실행 계획을 밝혔다. 이 신문은 고려대학교 MBA 과정이 국내대학으로서는 유일하게 AACSB와 EQUIS 인증을 획득했다는 점을 부각하기도 했다. 다음은 인터뷰 전문. 

Korea University MBA Program Fosters Business Leaders for Asia 

Jang Ha-sung 
By Kang Shin-who 
Staff Reporter 

Korea University Business School (KUBS) is developing an MBA market segment by attracting students wanting to specialize in Asian and Korean business studies. 

Jang Ha-sung, the dean of KUBS, told The Korea Times that its Global MBA program is looking for international students with a strong interest in Asian markets, particularly Korean. 

''We don’t want students only attracted to the reputation of a business school without a specific goal. We need foreigners with a clear vision and plans for Asian and Korean markets,’’ Jang said. 

The mission of our program is clear. ''We specialize in fostering business experts in Asian and Korean markets so that the graduates can work for international companies in Asia and Korea. The school will select foreign students from countries where Korean companies have business operations, or plan to do business here in Asia. 

In addition, the school is pursuing globalization by expanding American-style capitalism and market democracy to Asian and Eastern European countries. 

''Globalization means that we need to see an increase not merely in the number of foreign students but the number of students from countries where many Korean companies are doing business and also students who are interested in our country,’’ Jang said. 

Currently, 21 students, 33 percent of the student body, on the program are foreigners and come from 12 countries. Among them, Chinese students form the biggest group followed by those from European countries. Lectures are conducted only in English. 

The school plans to recruit up to 30 foreign students, a third of the quota for the course. Last year the school had nearly 130 applicants, half of whom were accepted. 

Thanks to its efforts, the school has the biggest group of international students at undergraduate and graduate levels in Korea, more than 200 foreigners. 

KUBS is the only Korean school to receive accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and the European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS). 

''If schools send many students to overseas schools, it would be helpful only for the globalization of the students themselves. However a school itself needs to create a globalized environment by attracting many foreign students,’’ Jang said. 

Its admission requirements are quite unique. It does not rely on the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) or TOEFL scores for admission. The school interviews all applicants in English on their vision and plan. 

Foreign professors will account for 15 percent of the faculty in the near future, up from the current 5 percent. 

The school is looking to be placed among the top three business schools in Asia and the top 50 in the world. ''I am very confident that our MBA programs will have the equivalent of the reputation of the Korean economy in less than five years,’’ Jang said. 

Korea University was ranked at 35th in the faculty research abilities and The Times of London placed the school at 66th in its world university ranking. 

Jang emphasized that foreign students who have a passion for Asian and Korean business will get the best education as he is sure that the school is the best of its kind in the world. He emphasized that admission is not only for Asians. ''We welcome talented students from around the world,’’ he said. 

''Our MBA programs will provide everything for students who aim to be Asian and Korean business experts. Better even than those at Harvard or Wharton business schools,’’ Jang said. 

A graduate of the business school of Korea university, Jang obtained MA in economics at State University of New York at Albany and Ph.D in finance at the Wharton School. After starting his career as a professor at University of Houston in 1987, Jang came back to his alma mater in 1990 and has served as dean of the business school since 2005. 

Jang received Graham & Dodd Award from Financial Analysts Journal in 1995 and Stars of Asia Award from BusinessWeek twice in 1998 and 1999. 

kswho@koreatimes.co.kr