The KAGEDU : Its History, Structure, and Domestic and International Academic Exchange Activities

Abstract

This paper first examines the history and development of the Korean Association of General Education (hereafter KAGEDU, 2006), which represents the Korean liberal/general education community, in the context of its close relationship with the Korean Council for University General Education (hereafter KCUGE, 2001) and the Korea National Institute for General Education (hereafter KONIGE, 2011). It then examines in detail the number and characteristics of the KAGEDU's members as well as its constituent organizations, operating principles, and the interrelationships among them. Next, this paper finds that the KAGEDU’s <i>The Korean Journal of General Education</i> (hereafter KJrGE, 2007), a first-class academic journal recognized by the NRF (National Research Foundation) of Korea, is a unique national academic journal in Korea that encompasses all aspects of liberal/general education. It is an outstanding leader in terms of publication frequency, number of published articles, and influence index, dominating its field. As a result, the Journal serves as the best public platform for liberal/general education in Korea. This paper also deals with the main features of the KAGEDU's domestic academic activities (Spring and Fall National Conferences, LACs, Seminar 21, Publication of ‘Collected Works of Liberal Education Classics,’ and Selection of Excellent Books) and its activities for international academic exchange (holding international forums and conferences, Blue Waves Lectures, and Libeducols). In particular, it explains that the KAGEDU initiated the establishment of the Asian Liberal Education Network (ALEN) and the holding of the first Asian Liberal Education Conference (ALEC) in late 2023. According to this paper, the two academic events symbolize a very significant outcome of the joint Asian international academic exchange efforts that the KAGEDU, as the hub for liberal education in East Asia, has been leading since 2018. Finally, this article examines the challenges facing the KAGEDU in terms of the ambivalent effects of its relationship with the KCUGE and the KONIGE, its financial independence, modernization of its administration, its under-researched areas, and its need to nurture the next younger generation of scholars. Then, it proposes measures to promote international academic exchange including the establishment of a common Asian liberal education university/college.