Hongik University

Hongik University (, colloquially Hongdae) is a private university in Seoul, South Korea. Founded by an activist in 1946, the university is located in Mapo-gu district of central Seoul, South Korea with a second campus(branch campus) in Sejong. Hongik University has a bachelor's degree in art (paint & drawing) in South Korea. However, the university also offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programs. As of 2007, the university was home to 14,500 undergraduate students and 2,600 graduate students, and the undergraduate school consists of College of Fine Arts, College of Education, College of Engineering, College of Liberal Arts, College of Architecture, College of Law, and College of Economics and Business Administration. The graduate school provides research-based and practice-based programs in comprehensive fields including liberal arts, engineering, fine arts and design, education, economics, performing arts, urban planning, architecture, film and photography. The shortened term for Hongik University, "Hongdae," serves as a metonym for the neighborhood. History The university was established shortly after Korean independence. The Daejongkyo founders, upon returning to Korea following Japanese surrender after years of exile in China, prioritized the establishment of an educational institution. As a result, in 1946, they founded the school, then named Hongmoon-daehakgwan (홍문대학관). Lee Hung Soo, a wealthy Korean independent activist, donated the initial funds from which the university found its beginnings. In August 1948, Hongik University and Hongik Foundation was approved officially by the Korean government. By 1950, the school had expanded steadily to accommodate departments in law, liberal arts, political science, and science. The school was forced to move to Daejeon and Busan during the Korean War. Upon its return to Seoul in 1953, the university continued its growth. In Seoul, the university continued to expand academic programs, including departments of business and economics, education, engineering, fine arts, handicrafts, as well as a Graduate School. The foundation established Hongik Junior Technical College, Hongik Junior and Senior High Schools, Hongik Girls' Junior and Senior High Schools, and Hongik Elementary School. In 1971, Hongik College attained a new status, merging with Soo-Do Engineering College to form Hongik University, with twenty departments in the College of Business and Economics, Engineering, and Fine Arts.