Sungshin Women’s University celebrated the opening of a fashion design major modeled after the curriculum in Heibei University of Science and Technology with a joint fashion show at the Chinese school.

The Chinese university created the department this month under the Chinese government’s policy to help universities introduce advanced curricula and pedagogies of foreign universities.

The Korean university also opened a similar program for an art design major at Sandong Youth University of Political Science this month, Sungshin said.

Students of Sungshin and Heibei universities showcased their graduation projects on stage, which ranged from ancient royal costumes to art wear.

“Simply put, fashion design majors of Heibi University of Science and Technology will have two alma maters,” Sungshin Women’s University president Shim Hwa-jin said in the event.

Ji Weige, secretary of Hebei University of Science and Technology party committee, said that the Sino-Korean joint major project would boost cultural exchanges between the two countries.

The four-year fashion design course admits 100 students, who are given a chance to study in Sungshin for one year. They also may earn double degrees from the two universities by studying two years in Hebei and two in Sungshin. The Korean language is taught commonly to Chinese students, and Korean professors take up 35 percent of their curriculum.

By Chun Sung-woo (swchun@heraldcorp.com)