KOREA FOUNDATION

Development Task and Direction of Korean Studies in Central Asia

Aigerim Belyalova

Acting Associate Professor
Deputy Head of Far East Department
Faculty of Oriental Studies
Al-Farabi Kazakh National University

From July 2021 to February 2022, I had a great opportunity to revisit Korea two years after studying for my doctorate there with support from the Korean Foundation (KF) Fellowship for Field Research. In addition to analyzing Korean studies in Central Asia, the main purpose of my visit was to propose ways to develop academic projects in the field after the COVID-19 pandemic and explore educational methods and directions to foster global citizens in Korean studies. In other words, the focus was to explore the possibility of promoting the development of Korean studies in the globalization era beyond a simple regional study in the context of a universality, more specifically to find methodological strategies, policy alternatives, and implications for the desirable direction of the field in Central Asia. Therefore, in my study, opinions from Korean studies experts, conference materials, and global Korean studies education materials were particularly important, and in this regard, I felt lucky to receive the fellowship.

During the research period, there were few research institutes or libraries in operation, but fortunately, I had a valuable opportunity to visit the Dongguk University Library to search for documents with the cooperation of the KF and Park Sun-hyung, professor of education at Dongguk University. Thanks to Prof. Park, who helped me during the not-so-short research process and reviewed numerous materials, and the valuable opinions of Korean studies experts who participated in the study, I could accurately set the direction and analysis framework for my dissertation. Furthermore, discussions were developed with appropriate levels of questioning and corresponding, and the research results were released through two academic papers in SCOPUS and A&HCI journals.

The KF‘s fellowship seeks to contribute to knowledge-sharing among scholars, international exchange based on research, stimulation of practical educational cooperation between countries, and gradual promotion of mutual development. I was able to successfully carry out research activities thanks to the KF's generous support and consideration as well as the kind and prompt guidance of the Foundation‘s staff. I feel infinite joy and pride as a beneficiary of the fellowship by the KF, which has played a leading role in the development of Korean studies abroad with an unrivaled tradition in the field. This research greatly helped enhance my humble knowledge and understanding of the discipline and set the direction for my academic career. Once again, I sincerely thank the KF for this wonderful opportunity.

With professor Park Sun Hyung at Dongguk University

Aigerim BelyalovaAl-Farabi Kazakh National UniversityActing Associate ProfessorKorean Studies