Centennial College in Canada and Kookmin University in Korea will launch a joint degree program in automotive engineering, said Ann Buller, president of the Canadian school.

It will be the first time for the two countries to award a joint degree in the field.

Buller came to Seoul on Wednesday to discuss the launch of the program.

The agreement is expected to revitalize academic exchanges between the two schools and pave the way for the expansion of job opportunities for students of both schools.

“Centennial College is one of the largest schools with a transportation department in Canada, similar to Kookmin University, and we are the largest school doing community services and have the largest number of students in the area,” Buller told The Korea Herald. 

Both Kookmin University and Centennial College are highly recognized for automotive engineering in their countries.

Under their joint degree program slated to kick off next year, students will be able to study at both schools until obtaining bachelor’s degrees.

Students of each school will spend the first two years at their respective universities and then travel to Korea or Canada to finish their study, Buller said.

Korean students will learn from competent professors at the Canadian school, which boasts cutting-edge automotive labs and maintains a strong partnership with industry leaders including General Motors, Ford, Toyota and Canadian Tire.

It will be novel for western students to come to a Korean university to study the same major under different systems and experience different industrial partnerships, Kookmin University President Lee Sung-woo said.

The program will start with about 20-30 students, and both schools will expand its size over time, according to Lee.

Established in 1966, Centennial College is Ontario’s first public college featuring eight different academic departments including business, engineering technology and transportation. It also operates practical programs such as co-op, apprenticeship and joint degree programs for better learning and more career opportunities.

The curricular of the school focuses on global citizenship. About 25 percent of students come from abroad, primarily China, India and South Korea.

The school also has offices in six countries including Turkey and India, which offer English programs and counseling sessions for those wishing to study abroad and gain practical experience and knowledge for careers.

Buller has been selected one of 2010 Canada’s Most Powerful Women by Women’s Executive Network in Canada in recognition of her devotion to work.

During her 11 years with Centennial College, including seven years as president, Buller has launched a variety of successful academic programs for global citizenship.

By Lee Woo-young (wylee@heraldcorp.com)