Friday marked the official opening of the Jeonnam Glocal K-EDU Center at Troy University, a collaborative partnership between the Jeollanamdo Office of Education in the Republic of Korea and TROY.

The K-EDU Center is a glocal (global and local) education platform that aims to connect Jeonnam’s educational strengths with the world through programs such as educational and cultural exchange, career and industry networking and K-culture experience.

Grounded in the unique characteristics of the Jeollanamdo region, the Center provides globally connected education and leads the way in the era of Korea’s signature “K-Education.”

“There is a Korean proverb that says, ‘Nothing is achieved without friendship,’ and I can think of no better example than the friendship that has been forged between the Republic of Korea and the United States of America,” said Troy University Chancellor Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr. “Korea is a vibrant country—we hope this alliance will mirror the alliance between our countries and extend well into the future.”

The K-EDU Center offers different resources for students, teachers and the surrounding communities.

For students, the Center offers a blended online/offline sports education program linked to Korea’s high school credit system with J-Glocal EDU Campus; a tailored ESL program developed in collaboration with TROY where students will learn about the history of the Civil Rights Movement in Alabama; the opportunity to experience Korean culture through learning about Hangul (the Korean alphabet), Hanbok (traditional clothing), taekwondo, kimchi and more; and participation in an internship program with Korean companies in the United States.

“The quiet act of resistance on a bus seat grew into a powerful wave for the Civil Rights Movement, and (Rosa Park’s) bravery reminded me of the true path education must serve,” said Dr. Dae-Joong Kim, Jeollanamdo Office of Education Governor of Education. “Jeollanamdo is also a land where people rose up for justice and human dignity.” 

For teachers, the goal is to “empower educators to be leaders in glocal education” through a Glocal Teaching Program designed to strengthen teacher’s international education and glocal leadership competency.

“Education matters. Not only to transmit knowledge, but to shape how we live and understand one another,” Kim said. “Education compels us to ask, ‘What does it mean to live with a purpose?’ It empowers us to build a world of coexistence and respect. Our Jeollanamdo Office of Education is cultivating future leaders to meet the challenges of our time. This is not just the opening of a physical space, but a radiant moment where culture, education, history and future converge.”

For local communities and overseas institutions, the Center aims to facilitate a global network connecting industry and educational partners. By developing internship programs in collaboration with Korean companies in the United States, establishing a cooperation network with expatriate Korean organizations and developing sports, history and cultural exchange programs, the Korean community grows.

“The Center will not just be a place to learn the Korean language or experience its culture. It will honor the journey of Korean education, the values we have embraced and the innovations we continue to pioneer,” Kim said. “We want students here to not just learn a language or culture, but to learn more about humanity and how we’re all connected.”

The partnership was first established in July 2019 with an agreement establishing the Jeonnam Physical Education High School. In February 2020, the partnership expanded to create the Jeonnam Physical Education High School International Exchange Program.

In May 2024 at the Korea Glocal Future Education Fair, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed establishing a glocal physical education network between the Jeollanamdo Office of Education and TROY. Later that year, the Korean delegation made an official visit to TROY, meeting with Chancellor Hawkins, Vice President of Hyundai Motors Alabama Division, the Alabama State Department of Education and the Director of the Alabama Department of Tourism.

“We live in a global village, and our goal at TROY is to graduate students who are globally competitive and globally aware,” Dr. Hawkins said. “I’m very proud of this partnership, and I believe it’s through this partnership that both institutions and both regions of our countries will prosper and prepare the next generation of global leaders.”