November 30, 2022

VINCENNES, Ind. - Vincennes University and the UBMK School have signed a memorandum of understanding that will create new educational and transformative opportunities for UBMK students in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. 

UBMK was established in 1998 by the Korean missionary association in Mongolia. It is the only K-12 Korean International school approved by the Ministry of Education and Science of Mongolia. After graduating from UBMK, students can continue their education at an American university or Korean university.

According to the UBMK Director of International Affairs Dr. Elin Jung, “Our students will have the opportunity to apply their learning in more settings, amongst more people in the future. They will not be constrained to Mongolia or Korea. Our students now have the chance to achieve their dreams, thanks to Vincennes University. With the provision of the MOU from Vincennes University, they can study in the United States. It is an attractive and encouraging path for both parents and students.”

According to VU President Dr. Chuck Johnson, “The new agreement with UBMK represents a great addition to VU's existing international partnerships, and we look forward to building a lasting relationship that will benefit generations of UBMK students.”

With the goal of nurturing global talents who can love their country and serve in the international community based on upright character, faith, Korean identity cultivation education, and exclusive STEM education, the UBMK School provides specialized foreign language education with required English and Mongolian language education, customized career guidance, and domestic and overseas vision trips during the school year.

UBMK students have strong aspirations of studying abroad, and Jung believes that VU will offer them a great opportunity because of the investment VU makes in its students.

VU has transfer agreements with many learning universities, including Purdue and IU in Indiana, that will allow UBMK students the opportunity to transition smoothly from VU.

During Jung’s visit to the Vincennes Campus in mid-November, she was enthusiastic about the University’s exceptional programs, facilities, and resources.

“The staff and faculty’s warmth, humility, and hospitality were delightful,” she said. “The Vincennes University department of mechanical engineering, anatomy lab, nursing class, and homeland security class and building were all engrossing and supremely informative. It was impressive to observe, learn, and simply experience our time at Vincennes.”

VU continues to build international partnerships that support enrollment and create access and opportunities for students no matter where they live.

Emerging from the pandemic, VU has seen an increase in international enrollment. As travel restrictions have been lifted or relaxed, there are more opportunities for international students to enroll at VU. Many students are studying on the Vincennes Campus, while others are getting a jump start on their education by enrolling in VU's new international online cohort program, launched during the pandemic. The online cohort program currently enrolls students from China, Korea, and India, and provides an accessible and affordable pathway to attending VU.

Through a combination of initiatives and despite the impact of the pandemic, the University has doubled international enrollments since 2016. The uptick is helping to further diversity in the student population and is exposing VU students to more global cultures and experiences. More than 22 countries are represented at VU this fall, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, France, Greece, India, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Netherlands, Spain, South Korea, Taiwan, and Vietnam.

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