Hanjin gives aid to RP education

By. Antonio Paño – Philippine Star

Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction signed last Aug.1 a Memorandum of Understanding with the Busan Metropolitan City of Education for the transport of educational equipment and supplies to the Philippines. Dong-Geun Seoul, a superintendent of Busan Metropolitan City Office of Education, and a vice chairman of HHIC Jeong-Hun Kim participated in the signing ceremonies together with HHIC Phil. Inc. President Jeong Sup Ship and Philippine Ambassador to Seoul Luis Cruz.

HHIC will transport educational equipment and supplies, which include 3,048, to the Subic Bay Freeport Zone for three years from October 2008 to 2011.

The company will be responsible for the related transportation costs, which will reach approximately Korean won (KRW) 140 million.

The educational exchange between Busan and the Philippines was launched in 2006 during President Arroyo’s visit to Busan.

Through working-level meetings in Busan and Manila, the areas of exchange have been diversified, like the donation of educational equipment and supplies of Sung-Ji Technical High School, the donation of used computers, and a training program for local teachers.

The government plans to establish a training center for vocational education using the educational equipment and supplies from Sung-Ji Technical High School.

HHIC is a major company known for shipbuilding in South Korea that was established in Yeongdo, Busan in 1937.

The company’s international expansion program was boosted with the construction of a shipyard at Subic Free Port Zone two years ago.

HHIC has proposed a new model for academic industry cooperation for an overseas educational assistance project with the signing of the MOU with Busan Metropolitan City Office of Education.