'Customized Employment Prestige' Gimcheon University Draws Attention with Sign Language Interpreter Practice via Video Conference

Real-time 'ZOOM' Sign Language Practice as Part of COVID-19 Remote Classes
Department of Social Welfare Operates Sign Language Club 'Suhyang' and Produces Sign Language Interpreters

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Dongwook Park] The Department of Social Welfare at Gimcheon University, which is prominent in the field of sign language interpretation, is attracting attention by utilizing the video conferencing tool Zoom as part of non-face-to-face classes due to COVID-19.

According to Gimcheon University (President Okhyun Yoon) on the 5th, the sign language club 'Suhyang' of the university's Social Welfare major (Head Professor Yejong Lee) conducted an extracurricular program via real-time Zoom on the 1st.

On that day, under the guidance of Professor Sangki Park of the Social Welfare major, sign language interpreter Jihye Choi and students participated in a multi-party video conference, conducting real-time sign language practice.

As the first four-year Social Welfare department to adopt 'Korean Sign Language' as a regular curriculum (semesters 1 to 3 out of 6), the Department of Social Welfare at Gimcheon University is leading the way in training professional sign language interpreters. In addition to regular courses, the sign language club helps students develop their skills as field experts in sign language interpretation.

Student Arim Lee, class of 2019 in Social Welfare, said, "I thought communicating with the deaf through sign language would be somewhat difficult, but through this activity, I gained confidence that if I have opportunities to communicate using sign language in the future, I will be able to converse naturally."

A university official explained, "Since last year, the demand for sign language interpreters has been increasing, providing interpretation at government public addresses, major policy announcements, or disaster situation briefings," adding, "Many Social Welfare students are finding the field of sign language interpretation attractive and are increasingly getting employed as sign language interpreters."

Meanwhile, Gimcheon University boasts traditionally high employment rates in many departments, including the nursing department, which has achieved a 100% employment rate for three consecutive years recently, by operating various customized employment support programs.