Hangul is the Korean alphabet, created in 1446 by order of King Sejong. This is the recognized cultural heritage of the country and its special pride.
On October 6, the Center for Korean Studies of Ablai khan KazUIR and WL traditionally held a forum for students of the Faculty of Oriental Studies dedicated to the 577th anniversary of the creation of the Korean alphabet, which is celebrated in the Republic of Korea on October 9 and is a national holiday.
The event was attended not only by students, but also by distinguished guests: Dean of the Faculty of Oriental Studies Kagazbaeva E.M., Head of the Department of Eastern Philology Burkitbay G.Zh., Head of the Department of Translation of Eastern Languages Dzheldybaeva R.B., as well as Vice-Chairman of the Board of Shinhan Bank Kazakhstan Mr. Kim Yoseb, as well as teaching staff of three departments of the Faculty of Oriental Studies. By the way, “Shinhan Bank Kazakhstan” is one of the long-time partners and employer for graduates of the Korean branch of Ablai khan KazUIR and WL, who has been supporting the Korean department for many years, takes part in events organized by the Center for Korean Studies of Ablai khan KazUIR and WL. This year, students from colleges where the Korean language is taught were also invited to the event: Linguistic College, Pedagogical College, College of International Tourism Management of Ablai khan KazUIR and WL. The Korean language in these colleges is taught by graduates of the Korean Studies Faculty of Oriental Studies.
The event began with a congratulatory speech by the Dean of the Faculty of Oriental Studies E.M. Kagazbaeva, and Mr. Kim Yoseb, Vice-Chairman of the Board of Shinhan Bank Kazakhstan, also delivered a welcoming speech to the students. In the official part of the event, Kim U.A., director of the Center for Korean Studies, introduced those present to the activities of the Center for Korean Studies of Ablai khan KazUIR and WL. Kim W.A. expressed gratitude to the Education Center at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Kazakhstan for constant support and long-term cooperation.
A pleasant part of the event was the awarding of small gifts to students who successfully passed the TORIK, and cash prizes were also awarded to students who took prizes in three competitions dedicated to the Day of Korean Writing. An essay competition in Korean, a video competition in Korean on the topic “Interesting cities of Kazakhstan and Korea”, a poetry reading competition by the poet Kim Sovol. In total, more than 40 students from 1st to 4th year of the Faculty of Oriental Studies studying the Korean language participated in the competitions, which were held over the previous 2 weeks.
The winners of the essay competition in Korean were:
- Tsoi Yana, 2nd year student, EP “Translation Studies”
- Otegenova Madina, 2nd year, EP “Oriental Studies”
- Zhumagali Madina, 3rd year, EP “Foreign Philology”
Encouragement prize - Diana Rayysova, 2nd year student, EP “Foreign Philology”
Prize winners in the video competition were:
- Mukhambetzhan Zhansaya, Zhumagali Madina, Bazarbai Gauhar, 3rd year, EP “Foreign Philology”
- Abduakhitova Alina, 2nd year, EP “Foreign Philology”
- Yesimbekova Zerde, 4th year, EP “Foreign Philology”
An incentive prize was given to Marupova Aziza and Pen Yana, 2nd year student, EP “Translation Studies”.
In the competition for reciting poems by Kim So-wol in Korean, the winners were:
- Saidullaeva Ilgiza, 4th year, EP “Foreign Philology”
- Sabirbaeva Lazzat, 4th year, EP “Translation Studies”
- Temirgalieva Sabina, 4th year, EP “Translation Studies”
The incentive prize was given to Kapezgaliev Aibol, 4th year student, EP “Foreign Philology”
Next, a quiz was held on knowledge of facts about the Korean language and culture for 1st-2nd, 3rd-4th year students and college students. The event ended with a small concert program, in which 3rd year student Nurmamet Moldir performed with K-pop dance, Zhumagali Madina, 3rd year student of the EP “Foreign Philology” performed a famous Korean composition on the flute, the winners of the poetry reading competition expressively recited poems by Kim Sovol, as well as all those present could appreciate the video, which deservedly took 1st place in the video competition “Interesting cities of Kazakhstan and Korea.” This is the first big event of this academic year, which was organized by the Center for Korean Studies of Ablai khanKazUIR and WL, with the support of the Faculty of Oriental Studies and the Education Center at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea.