Pyongyang University of Science and Technology
| President | Dr James Chin-Kyung Kim |
|---|---|
| Students | 500 |
| Location |
Pyongyang,  Democratic People's Republic of Korea
|
| Website | pust |
 |
|
| Pyongyang University of Science and Technology | |
| Chosŏn'gŭl | 평양과학기술대학 |
|---|---|
| Hancha | 平壤科學技術大學 |
| Revised Romanization | Pyeongyang Gwahak Gisul Daehak |
| McCune–Reischauer | P'yŏngyang Kwahak Kisul Taehak |
Pyongyang University of Science and Technology (PUST) is North Korea's first privately funded university. It is founded, operated, and partly funded by associations and people outside the country. PUST was jointly planned and constructed by forces from the North and the South Korea, along with contributions from groups and individuals from other nations, in particular China and the USA. The initiative is largely funded by Evangelical Christian movements. Originally scheduled for launch in 2003, the project was delayed for several years and began operations in October 2010.
The university is in the countryside outside of Pyongyang in a separate but close administrative region with permission required for access to Pyongyang. After introductory negotiations, the PUST project was started in 2001, on the initiative of Professor Kim Chin Kyung, endorsed in a personal meeting with former North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il. Professor Kim's earlier accomplishments include being founding president of Yanbian University of Science and Technology (YUST) in northeastern China, but inside the Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture, founded in 1992. The PUST will cooperate with YUST and draw on their experiences.
With exception of foreign language courses, all teaching is conducted in English. Almost all faculty work as volunteers and come from a Christian background, with the president saying:
The PUST construction plans were politically troubled and slowed down in 2005 and 2006, in connection with the 2006 North Korean nuclear test, but later on resumed and have led to their conclusion. PUST classes began in the fall of October 2010. It had its official opening in September 2010 and planned to enroll up to 200 higher-level students per year, from both parts of Korea. Plans include the hiring of up to 250 faculty members from universities and research institutions in South Korea, China, the United States, and other countries. As a joint venture university, the PUST is seen as a contribution to the Korean reunification process.
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Wikipedia