Gwangju University Department of Occupational Therapy Focuses on Training and Enhancing Expertise of Occupational Therapists

Gwangju University’s Department of Occupational Therapy is responding to the rapidly increasing demand in the aging society by fostering occupational therapists and strengthening their expertise. Photo by Gwangju University

The Department of Occupational Therapy at Gwangju University (President Kim Dongjin) announced on the 26th that it will focus on nurturing occupational therapists and strengthening their expertise in response to the rapidly increasing demand in an aging society.

The Department of Occupational Therapy at Gwangju University trains occupational therapy professionals who possess both the expertise to restore impaired physical functions and the compassion to heal wounded minds.

Based on a systematic curriculum accredited by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT), the department supports students in obtaining various licenses and certifications (Occupational Therapist License, Sensory Development Rehabilitation Specialist Certificate, Assistive Technology Specialist License), offering them a wide range of career options.

The department is also committed to enhancing students' practical skills so they can be immediately deployed in the field after graduation. Through six months of clinical practice in occupational therapy, students gain hands-on experience in real treatment settings and develop a sense of the field by interacting with various clients.

In addition to academic knowledge, the department supports students' comprehensive growth through various extracurricular programs. Special lectures by experts provide insights into the latest research trends and the competencies required in the field, while talent donation volunteer activities foster social responsibility and a sense of occupational justice.

Furthermore, at academic festivals, students present topics of interest related to occupational therapy and share their practical achievements. Department-centered extracurricular activities strengthen camaraderie and teamwork among students, and also offer opportunities to expand their personal networks by sharing diverse hobbies and interests beyond their major.

Hwang Minji, head of the Department of Occupational Therapy, stated, "Occupational therapy is one of the professions with the greatest potential for job growth in the future and is a promising field with a professional uniqueness that artificial intelligence cannot easily replace. We will spare no effort to provide various support so that students can achieve not only academic growth but also social, emotional, and physical development."