Korea Aerospace University


Korea Aerospace University is a private university in Goyang, Gyeonggi, South Korea. Established in 1952 as a national university, it was taken over by Jungseok Foundation established by Hanjin Group and transferred to a private university. The university — which encompasses most of the aerospace fields including Aerospace & Mechanical Engineering, Electronics, Telecommunications, Computer Engineering, Air Transportation and Logistics, Aeronautical Science & Flight Operation, and Air and Space Law — has been designated to take several national undertakings and collaborative research projects with prominent global corporations including GE, Airbus, PLANSEE since 2009.
Major research results have been observed in the realm of unmanned aerial vehicle, since the first autonomous formation flight of UAV and the first flight of solar powered UAV for 12 consecutive hours in Korea. ‘The 1st Hannuri’, the micro satellite, was developed and launched for the first time among Korean universities in 2006.

History

Beginnings (1950s~1960s)

Korea Aerospace University was established as a national school in June 16, 1952, when the Korean War was raged, under the Charter for Transport School which was granted by the Ministry of Transportation to develop a civil aviation industry. Although the university primarily started as a two-year course school solely with three departments — Department of Flight Operation, Department of Aircraft Power, Department of Telecommunication Engineering — its status had been elevated by 1953.
After the War, the campus moved to Seoul in 1962, then to Goyang City, Gyeonggi-do in 1963, where it is today. School buildings were built and several institutes were opened.

Strengthened (1970s~1990s)

In 1979, the university was taken over by Jungseok Foundation, established by Hanjin Group, and it was transferred to a private university. Ever since the transformation, the university started to strengthen its inner and outer sides.
Through the modifications on quota and name, establishment of schools, departments, and graduate schools were finalized. Auxiliary organizations and institutes were reorganized to vitalize its inner strength.
For the latter, the Liberal Arts Building, Central Library, the Aviation Control Center, the Mechanical Engineering Building, and the Flight Operation Building were opened in 1970s; the Student's Hall, the Science Building, the Mechanical Engineering Building, the Electronic Engineering Building were constructed in 1990s. Most of the structures were completed through this period.

Development (2000s~ )

Passing through the strengthening period, the university started to focus on ensuring its internal stability. From the early 2000s, structures were added and expanded. The Central Library, the Center for Technical Assiatance to Small and Medium-sized Industries, the KAU Aerospace Center/Museum, and the New Administrative Building were built. The Library and the Student's Hall had a level extension.
The university changed its name from Hankuk Aviation University to Korea Aerospace University in 2007. It started to develop its competence by expanding international networks. After obtaining AABI qualification, for flight education, aviation management, air traffic management, and air transportation systems in 2007, MOUs and agreements with well-known organizations were concluded: MOUs with University of Southern California, Drexel University, Oregon State University; agreement for cooperation with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University; joint development agreement with General Electric.

Reputation and research activities

Korea Aerospace University is the one and only university in Korea specialized in aviation and aerospace.

Reputation

Undergraduate

KAU Aerospace Museum

Korea Aerospace University established the KAU Aerospace Museum in pursuance of elevating the understanding on aviation and aerospace for the public on August 2004. With the area of 780m2, the museum exhibits more than 800 aviation and aerospace parts. It is structured with ‘Aerospace Zone’ introducing the history of aerospace, ‘Flight Simulator’, ‘Virtual Experience’, ‘Experience Zone’ displaying various plastic airplane, ‘Future of Aerospace Zone’ exhibiting the history and principle of rocket and satellite. KAU Aerospace Museum also earned the first accreditation from the FAI in Korea and was selected for receiving a benefit from ‘Boeing GCC Fund’.

Flight Training Center

Flight Training Center at Korea Aerospace University, one of the subsidiaries of GATI, was founded to produce global-standard pilots for airlines and the military. The FTC provides a civil aviation pilot training program entrusted to KAU by Korean Air. For the development of general aviation, the FTC also has a flight training course for members of the public who want to learn how to fly.

FTC-Susaek

On the KAU campus, FTC-Susaek operates a private pilot course and instrument rating course, both certified by Korea's Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs. FTC-Susaek operates an academic training course for APP ab-initio cadets and Korean Air pilots, as well as a flight training course for the public.

FTC-Jungseok

FTC-Jungseok operates a jet transition course for Korean Air pilots. FTC-Jungseok operates four CE-560s and two CE-525 aircraft, as well as CE-525 and CTN-II simulators for the course.

FTC-Uljin

At Uljin Airport on South Korean's eastern coast, FTC-Uljin operates a pilot training course certified by Korea's Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs. The airline pilot training program adheres to stringent global standards. FTC-Uljin operates seven brand new single engine aircraft with glass cockpits, as well as a multi-engine aircraft and two FTDs used for flight training.

International Programs

Korean Language Program

The Korean Language Education Center, established in July 2006, founded the Korean Language Program to meet the growing demand from foreign students for qualified, innovative, and progressive Korean language training. The program implements a proven program that has been nationally recognized as the most effective method of language acquisition to date. The curriculum is supported with supplemental materials such as exercise books.

Study abroad

Korea Aerospace University provides study abroad programs for students to gain overseas experiences. The programs are NASA and Boeing Fieldtrip, Research Internship at University of Southern California, Work & Travel Program at University of North Dakota, visiting overseas firms by self-designed plan, and others.

Partner universities (by continent)