The Academy of Chinese Studies at Incheon National University, in collaboration with the Incheon Institute (InChina Forum) and the Incheon Talent Lifelong Education Promotion Agency, is hosting the 2025 InChina Citizen Academy from April 7 to May 15 with a total of 10 lecture sessions. This course is a special program of the Incheon Citizens’ University Main Campus, overseen by the Incheon Talent Lifelong Education Promotion Agency, aimed at enhancing citizens’ global awareness and expanding the humanities education within the local community.

Now in its second year, the Citizen Academy is themed “East Asia in Transition and Korea-China Relations” and covers a wide range of current issues including economic and industrial shifts, technological competition, and developments on the Korean Peninsula. It aims to provide insight into international relations. The first Citizen Academy held last year received a great response for its in-depth lectures and engaging field trips. This year’s lineup includes professors from Incheon National University, Seoul National University, Inha University, and the University of Seoul, as well as experts from key national research institutes such as the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy (KIEP) and the Korea Institute for National Unification (KINU), offering deep and multifaceted analyses.

Notably, the Academy of Chinese Studies at Incheon National University will feature Director Junga Chang, Deputy Director Jeonghee Lee, Prof. Chi-Young Ahn from the Department of Chinese Language and Culture, and HK Research Professor Kye-Hwa Park as part of the lecture team. They will deliver expert lectures on core topics related to China such as Korea-China relations, Chinese cultural spheres, and overseas Chinese communities, offering high-quality academic content to Incheon citizens and contributing to the public dissemination of the academy’s research capabilities.

In addition, this year’s academy will include experiential, liberal arts-based courses combining field studies such as a Chinatown tour with citizen-participatory discussion classes, creating an interactive learning environment where citizens can think and communicate directly. The Academy of Chinese Studies at Incheon National University actively collaborates with the local community through various programs such as public lectures on China, Taiwan, and East Asia, and the “Traveling Summer School for International Affairs” in local high schools. The Regional Humanities Center, operated by the Research Institute for Chinese and Overseas Chinese Culture, plays a central role in the public spread of the humanities. The Academy of Chinese Studies will continue to serve as a public academic platform that delivers knowledge on Northeast Asian affairs and Korea-China relations while contributing to the enhancement of global competencies among citizens.