IUB Live: On the occasion of Korean Language Day, known as Hangul Day, on Saturday (Oct 9), the Embassy of the Republic of Korea for the first time held a Korean speech contest at the Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB).
Eleven Bangladesh participants who were selected through preliminary rounds done in the form of video submission contested on stage. Due to the persisting COVID-19 situation, however, the competition was done without a general audience, said the Korean embassy in Dhaka.
At this final round, five were awarded a Samsung tablet and mobile phones. The recipients are First place Mohammad Mijanur Rahman, Second Enamul Haque, Third Ms. Fahima Akter, Fourth Md. Sharif Hossain, and the Fifth position Ms. Lalramkim Bawm.
At the opening of the contest, Ambassador Lee Jang-Keun, appreciating the participants who showed not only their excellent language skills but also affection to Korean culture and language, stressed that Korea also has a proud history of defending its language, Hangul, just as Bangladesh fought for the Bengal language during the course of its independence.
Pointing out the crucial role of language which forms not only the foundation of a country but also the relations and connection between the countries, he hoped that the ties between Korea and Bangladesh get closer as the interest in learning the Korean language increases among Bangladesh people.
Dr. Tanweer Hasan, Vice-Chancellor of IUB was also present at the opening of the contest. As Korean culture such as K-pop, K-drama, K-film, and Taekwondo is increasingly popular among Bangladeshis, the demand for the Korean language in Bangladesh has been also growing.
The Dhaka University established Korean Language Center with the support of the Korean Government in 1998. Dhaka University is also hosting Korea Corner at the university’s Central Library which provides various books and multimedia materials on Korea and the Korean language.Every year hundreds of Bangladeshis are taking the TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) test which is organized by the Korean Embassy every year. The next TOPIK test will be held on October 16 at the IUB.
Hangul, the alphabet of the Korean language, was invented by linguistic scholars with the instruction of King Sejong of the Joseon dynasty of Korea in the 15th century. Korea observes October 9 every year as Hangul Day and relishes the importance of its national language.