header

Kyung Hee Fellow for Excellence in Education: Part 2 – Professor Bu Seog Ju at the Department of Civil Engineering

Professor Bu Seog Ju has been named a 2024 Kyung Hee Fellow (Education) for his pioneering efforts to integrate digital technologies into core courses in Fundamentals of Mechanics and Steel Structure Engineering. He has also been instrumental in developing interdisciplinary programs—including contributions to the Global Engineering Convergence Major—as well as strengthening student advising and career support, and expanding international academic exchanges

At the core of Professor Ju’s philosophy is a belief in active thinking. His mission: to cultivate curiosity-driven learning and foster students’ capacity for independent exploration. From their first year, he works to shift students—accustomed to passive, test-driven education—toward a more self-directed, inquisitive approach. He encourages them to question deeply and think critically, building intellectual independence early on.

In traditionally theory-heavy courses such as Fundamentals of Construction Mechanics, Steel Structure Engineering, and Civil Engineering Infrastructure Design—where engagement often falters—Professor Ju was ahead of the curve in embracing digital transformation. Even before the pandemic, he introduced digital tools like SAP2000 and MIDAS into courses heavily grounded in mathematics and physics, helping students visualize and analyze real-world engineering problems. This hands-on integration not only enhanced comprehension but also sparked new interest in subjects often seen as dry or difficult.

Reflecting the applied nature of civil engineering, he bridges theory with practice. “Students need to see how abstract theories connect to real-world challenges. When they write code or build simulation models, they aren’t just learning formulas: they’re engineering their own solutions. That process transforms even the most technical material into something dynamic and engaging,” he said. Course evaluations frequently highlight the power of visualization in enriching the learning experience.

Professor Ju also helped develop courses within the Global Engineering Convergence Major, an interdisciplinary program offered jointly by the College of Engineering and the College of Foreign Language & Literature at the Global Campus. Created to meet the growing demand for engineers fluent in both technical knowledge and foreign languages, the program features specialized tracks in Russian, Spanish, and French. To support students from diverse backgrounds, he strengthened instruction in core engineering concepts and organized additional Q&A sessions—demonstrating a thoughtful commitment to interdisciplinary education.

His commitment to internationalization extends beyond the classroom. In 2023, Professor Ju was selected for the prestigious Kyung Hee Grand Challenge Project, a university-wide initiative to elevate educational excellence amid global shifts. He led an international research seminar at Osaka Institute of Technology in Japan, bringing together 21 professors from nine departments to address issues like climate change and environmental degradation. Beyond Japan, he has built partnerships with Saarland University and Technische Universität Berlin, and the University of Maryland. “Expanding students’ horizons is the true value of international exchange,” he said. “Exposing them to different ways of thinking helps foster the kind of creative minds the world needs.”