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Asian languages at UWA have been boosted by the addition of Korean Studies this year.

With Korea now one of Australia's major trading partners, it is important for more Australians to understand Korean language and culture.

UWA is one of only six universities in Australia to offer a Korean language program. It is being taught as elective units which can be taken as broadening units in the New Courses.

The launch, late last year, took place in the Australia-Korea Year of Friendship, marking 50 years of diplomatic relations.

The newly-appointed Korean Ambassador to Australia, His Excellency Mr Taeyong Cho, flew from Canberra to attend it.

The program, within the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, was launched by Liz Behjat MLC, representing the Minister of Education. It was attended by representatives from the Australia Korea Foundation and the Korea Association which includes Shell Australia and Woodside.

Dean of the Faculty, Winthrop Professor Krishna Sen, said the new program underlined Korea's growing importance to Australia.

"Korea is one of Australia's major trading partners and the strong growth in business links between our two countries has resulted in more job opportunities for graduates with Korean language skills and cultural knowledge," Professor Sen said.

"The addition of Korean will further strengthen UWA's specialisation in Asian studies and languages, which already includes Chinese, Japanese and Indonesian.

"Students will also have the opportunity to undertake part of their study at Korea's leading university, Seoul National University."

The unique Korean script, Hangul, is a phonetic alphabetical system, said to be one the world's most scientific writing systems, and can be learned quickly. Students will also develop their understanding of Korean culture, society and people.

Meanwhile, across campus, Australian-Korean relations were being developed at the Centre for Offshore Foundation

Systems (COFS), with the visit last month of 37 academics and company directors from the Korean oil and gas industry.

They developed action plans for further cooperation and joint research projects between Korean and Australian industrial and research partners.

Korea Maritime University Professor Seung Jae Lee said the trip had enormous ongoing benefits for participants and Korean students, who would benefit from observing the results being achieved at COFS, which houses the only centrifuge modelling facility in Australia.

COFS facilities are used for specialised laboratory and model testing needed to investigate soil structure for preliminary knowledge in the construction of strong oil and gas structures.

"Our relationship with UWA offers invaluable opportunities for Korean students to come and gain relevant experience in a vibrant and dynamic environment at the centre of the resources hub in WA," Professor Lee said.

The top 10 resource universities in Korea are strengthening ties with UWA to develop a global talent in mineral and energy resources development and COFS Director Mark Cassidy was delighted to deliver the workshop with support from UWA's Energy and Minerals Institute, the Australia-Korea Business Council of WA, WA:ERA and industry sponsors.

Published in UWA News , 5 March 2012