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Dr. Ok D. Park, associate professor of vocational education at the University of Arkansas, working at Sunchon National University in South Korea. 
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - When a South Korean university wanted to examine its role and scope of service, it turned to two University of Arkansas documents that define the impact of the university on Arkansas. At the request of the president of Sunchon National University, Ok D. Park, UA associate professor of vocational education, spent a month in South Korea consulting with university administrators and presenting lessons from "Making the Case" and "Picking Up the Pace."

The two reports were prepared by the University of Arkansas' 2010 Commission, a group comprised of business, education and government professionals along with university faculty, staff and students. Park has translated much of both documents into Korean.

In his letter of invitation, Dr. Jae-Ki Kim, president of Sunchon National University, noted how pleased his faculty and students were with the exchange program between the two universities and hoped that Dr. Park's visit would be "the first step in further strengthening the program."

"Ok Park is an excellent ambassador from the University of Arkansas to Sunchon," said Barbara Hinton, head of the department of rehabilitation, human resources and communication disorders. "He has a deep understanding of both cultures and the vocational education issues in both countries."

Park found that administrators at Sunchon National University were particularly interested in the Campaign for the Twenty-First Century and the efforts by the University of Arkansas to define its role.

"Like all South Korean public universities, Sunchon is controlled by the national Ministry of Education," Park said. "They were impressed by the ways in which the University of Arkansas is both part of-and independent of-the state government."

Park explained that, unlike major research universities in the United States, South Korean universities have received only minor contributions from corporations. He speculated that growing private support could loosen control of the national government on the university. Traditionally the government has determined all aspects of university life, from funding to details of the curriculum.

Sunchon is one of five national universities in its province, located at the southern tip of South Korea, and has considered mergers with the other universities. Administrators wanted to understand how the University of Arkansas relates to community colleges and technical schools, both institutions that have become more important in South Korea in recent years.

Education is a priority for South Koreans, and the country has one of the highest literacy rates in the world. Park said that more than 90 percent of high school graduates go on to college, even though there are not enough high-paying professional jobs to employ all the resulting college graduates. Community colleges and technical institutes are growing because adults holding bachelor's degrees are seeking vocational skills training.

Park was able to offer lessons from the experience of his UA department. Its human resource development degree program, for example, is delivered by distance education to working adults at 16 locations in community colleges throughout Arkansas.

In addition to consulting with the university's president and the planning and research officer while at Sunchon National University, Park delivered a series of lectures to graduate and undergraduate students and spoke with faculty and students about studying abroad. He also met with some of the 50 UA alumni who live in South Korea.

Park, a native of Korea who received his bachelor's degree from Seoul National University, earned his master's degree from Northeast Missouri State University and his doctorate from the University of Missouri. He joined the vocational education faculty of the UA College of Education and Health Professions in 1980 and became director of the university's Bolivian Project in 1989.

Park's research has focused on learning styles, classroom management skills and use of technology for self-directed learning. In addition to his presentations and publications in the United States, Park has presented research in London and Seoul, South Korea.