Han Asia Times

Ancient Nalanda University in India -  Wikimedia Images Plans are afoot to build a new Nalanda University, to become a centre of learning for Asia. Will this university rival the fame of ancient Buddhist Nalanda? The ruins of of the great university of Nalanda still stand and have been registered for World Heritage site listing, but this famed seat of learning may soon be resurrected. The passing of the Nalanda University Bill by the Indian Parliament in August 2010 heralds a new cycle in Indian education and, if all proposals are met, perhaps there will soon be a new Asian university which will rival the status of Oxford, Cambridge or Harvard. Nalanda is located approximately 55 miles away from Patna in Bihar State, India. New Nalanda University to be Built in India Plans are in hand to build a new Nalanda University on 500 acres (200 hectares) of land very close to the ruins of the ancient University. There are only 350 universities in the rapidly-developing country of India, ...

Vice Minister Uhm delivered a special lecture to 400 students and faculty members of Cheongju University on September 15, under the theme of “Creativity and Challenge in a global era.” In this special lecture, Vice Minister explained “three communities plan for unification,” basic concept and contents of unification tax, and appropriate inter-Korean relations after the sinking of the Cheonan. In the meantime, Vice Minister stressed that young students should be minors who have creativity to lead future Korea, and discussions about national unification should actively take place at universities to prepare unification in the near future. The audience showed a lot of interest in 1) the government’s stance about rice assistance to North Korea, 2) tourism business in North Korea including Mt. Geumgang tour, and 3) MOU plans to hold open discussions about national unification among university students. source:Ministry of Unification

Nation should avoid reverse discrimination  All multicultural children will be able to receive free daycare services from next year. This is a welcome proactive move by the nation toward embracing multi-ethnicity. Yet, the program may trigger a dispute over reverse discrimination against Korean kids.   The government announced Thursday that a total of 28,000 multicultural children will be the beneficiary of free daycare services from their birth until they reach five. Regardless of income level, their parents can receive a state subsidy to enroll their kids in daycare centers. This is a major departure from the current policy. As of now, only multicultural parents whose monthly income is below 2.58 million are eligible to benefit from the welfare program.   This is a desirable step to inject vitality into the nation through a proactive immigration policy. The multicultural families enjoy a right not granted to Korean families with children of the same-age. Korean pa...

 ANDONG, North Gyeongsang Province To a background of sharp music, masked commoners let out the inner anger and sadness they have suppressed serving the noblemen through satirical words and acting. The mask dance drama, Hahoe Byeolsingut Talnori, was the only way Korean commoners could get even with the nobility in the rigid class society of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). “I’ve never seen a nobleman and a scholar fight over a cow’s testicles to get healthy in my entire life. Isn’t it funny?” shouts an 80-year-old grandma to the audience during the show. A view of the Hahoe Village from Buyongdae Cliff across the Nakdong  river The spectators laugh out loud when a cow urinates at them.  In the final act of five characters  dancing  together, actors invite Korean and foreign  tourists to the stage to join in the dance. Even though there is no screen with foreign-language subtitles to help tourists understand what the actors are saying, they seemed to hav...

Elderly South Koreans, who were separated from their families during the 1950-53 Korean War, hold a traditional ritual for their deceased relatives at Imjingak peace park in Paju in North Korea, near the inter-Korea border, on Tuesday. Seoul, South Korea (CNN)  -- Representatives for North and South Korea agreed that October would be a good time to do another round of reunions for families separated by the Korean war, the South Korean Unification Ministry said Friday. But both sides are still negotiating details such as where the reunion will be. If talks do not go well on where the reunions will be, the event could be canceled. The two sides agreed to hold the reunions on October 21 to 27. They could not agree on how many families to include in the reunion, and where it should be held, the ministry said. The North had proposed resuming the reunions, which traditionally happen around the Koreas' autumn harvest holiday. It falls on September 22 this year. Two Red Cross official...

The 2010 World Oriental Medicine-Bio Expo will be held in Jecheon, North Chungcheong Province, from Sept. 16 to Oct. 16 to promote the excellence of oriental medicine to the world. / Courtesy of organizers The 2010 World Oriental Medicine-Bio Expo will take place in Jecheon, North Chungcheong Province, from Sept. 16 to Oct. 16 to promote the excellence of oriental medicine to the world. Under the theme of the “Rediscovery of Traditional Oriental Medicine,” the organizers aim to attract some 1.05 million visitors, including 50,000 foreigners from 15 countries during the 31-day event. Participants will deal with the major issues such as globalization and industrialization of traditional medicine at the main halls, such as the Future Oriental Medicine Museum and the Herbal Life Science Museum, along with experience programs such as cultural performances. Among others, representatives from 15 countries will exchange their traditional medicine knowledge and experiences at the Wo...

Visitors walk past the rebuilt Neung Temple at Baekje Cultural Land, Aug. 19, in Buyeo, South Chungcheong Province. The temple was one of the most famous temples during the Baekje Kingdom era. Drums are pounding rhythmically in the background, along with the racing heartbeats of soldiers ready for battle while clutching spears and suited in armor. The horses also add to the thunderous pounding, elegantly yet swiftly going into battle. The culture and history of the Baekje Kingdom that dates back to 1,400 years ago is being brought back to life. Along with the Silla and Goryeo Kingdom, Baekje was one of the ancient eras that reigned from B.C. 18 to A.D. 660 on Korean soil and was known as a cultural haven that brought together various civilizations from Eastern Asia. Buyeo and Gongju counties in South Chungcheong Province were the two main areas where the country flourished, and they are joining forces to host the Great Baekje World Festival from Sept. 18 to Oct. 17. Start...