'Illegal sojourn rate of 0.36%,' Daegu University acquires education internationalization competency certification - Much higher certification standards in illegal sojourn rate, medical insurance coverage rate, and dormitory acceptance rate of freshmen - Striving to expand the diversity of foreign student body with more than 560 students from 61 countries including 40 students from Africa Daegu University (president Hong Duck-ryul) was selected as a certified university in the '2016 Education Internationalization Competency Certification System' assessment administered by the Ministry of Education and the National Research Foundation of Korea. In particular, Daegu University recorded a 0.36% illegal sojourn rate in the quantitative evaluation index, which was significantly lower than the certification standard of 2-4%, and received an incentive that is given to universities with an illegal sojourn rate lower than 1%. A university with an illegal sojourn rate of less than 1% can substitute a foreign student visa issuance examination with a standard admission letter without academic and financial documents, and will be given the benefit of granting the maximum amount of stay for international students as well as exemption from financial verification documents when their stay is extended. In addition to its reduced illegal sojourn rate, Daegu University's other quantitative indicators greatly surpassed the certification standards. The rate of health insurance coverage, which is essential for foreign students to study abroad safely, was 94.7% (certification standard 85% or more) and the dormitory acceptance rate of freshmen that is important for the initial settlement of foreign students, stood at 63.8%, much higher than the certification standard of 25% or more. Certified universities will be featured on a list from the Ministry of Justice (Immigration Office) and foreign governments until 2019 and will also be eligible for and given preference in the selection of the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) and participation in the Korea Education Fair. In addition, the time allowed for part-time work for foreign students will be increased from 20 hours per week to 25 hours per week. Currently, 560 foreign students from 61 countries are enrolled at Daegu University. In particular, 41 African students from the Democratic Republic of the Congo are studying together. Daegu University, which is trying to expand the diversity of its foreign student population, is operating a 'Project Group to Foster African Urban Development Experts' as a specialization project (CK Project). In addition, Daegu University runs various programs such as the buddy-buddy program; international student homestay; international student day for respective countries; I love Dokdo Korean speech contest; career special lecture for foreign workers; Korean language tutoring; and more, for early adjustment of international students and their university life support. Hong Duck-ryul, the president of Daegu University said, "In order to improve the international competitiveness of the university, I will strengthen support activities so that international students can lead a happy college life as well as expand the University's attractiveness to increase international student recruitment." Meanwhile, the 'Education Internationalization Capacity Certification System' organized by the Ministry of Education and the National Research Foundation of Korea was introduced in 2011 as a system to grant accreditation to excellent universities by evaluating the university's ability to attract and manage international students.
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