Korea University (KU) opened the Health Science Museum, which, while not physically impressive at first sight, will be a center of learning that all students and professors in the College of Health Science are proud of.

The Health science Museum opened on August 30. It is located on the first floor of the Health science Library, which is in Jeongneung-dong near Gireum station. Professor Lee sung dong (Food and nutrition), who was the head of the museum construction committee, said, “As Ku is at the center of health science in Korea, we tried to collect as much historical data as possible. We will keep updating data and build a database so that anyone can easily look up information about health science in the museum.”

The college of Health science has a relatively short history, having been established in 2006. However, before its establishment, Ku health sciences students studied at the college of Allied Health Sciences, which was founded in 1963 by Kim Sung-Soo. The late professor Joo In Ho (1912~2002) was the first dean of the college, and he is still remembered and respected by Ku professors and students in the college of Health science. In the museum, we can see how much he is still loved by students. For example, a bust of professor Joo is placed at the center of the museum, his writings are emblazoned on one wall, and selected objects related to his work, such as his manual Smith Corona typewriter, which he used in 1934, are on display.

Health science is a rather unfamiliar field of study to many students. Since non-Health science majors have little chance to learn about it, the museum will help them to understand the history of health science in Korea. “I hope that students will have a chance to learn how health science in Korea has developed during the past and present and will develop further in the future,” said Professor Lee. Lee added that it will be great if students in the college of Health science take more pride in their major thanks to the museum. As he hoped, Ku students are showing positive responses to the museum. Kim Ki Yeon (’11, Healthcare Management) said, “I could learn how health science has developed in Korea and what role Ku took in that course.”

Most of the exhibits in the museum are donations from Ku’s professors, graduates, students, and the eight departments of the college of Health science (physical therapy, radiologic science, Biomedical engineering, Food and nutrition, clinical Laboratory science, dental Laboratory science and engineering, environmental Health, and Healthcare Management). Exhibits include tooth shade guides used in the mid-1900s, a parasite specimen collection, and a Coolidge X-ray tube. Choi Sung Won (’10, radiologic science) said, “we can understand what society in this era wants from us by learning how the studies on health science have progressed. Through this historical awareness, we will be able to study in a way that satisfies the needs of the people.”