Korean music professor. They will be the first-ever private schools
specializing in arts in the Southeast Asian nation.
Lee Chan-hae, a former professor at Yonsei University's College of
Music, is behind the establishment of Phnom Penh Institute of Art in
Beong Keng Kong 1, and El Dream Arts School in Canadia, an industrial
area in the country.
Phnom Penh Institute of Art will be have a college, a pre-college for
middle and high school students and classes for gifted children aged
3-12 and adults. It is scheduled to open Oct. 6. Students will be able
to learn ballet and fine art there as well as music.
Situated in the living and working zone of an industrial area with a
population of over 300,000 thousand workers, El Dream Arts School will
offer classes for everyone from 3-year-olds to adults, but not college
degree programs. The school, which opened in March will begin offering
classes in June 18. All classes will be offered in English.
"Phnom Penh Institute of Art will have over 400 students, as it should
in order to be approved as a college. But El Dream Arts School is not
a college, so it can be more liberal with the number of the students.
We are still expecting quite a large number, though, as it is a
populated area and the school is the first of its kind. I hope it
benefits as many people as possible," Lee told The Korea Herald.
Lee, who served as a professor in Korea for 34 years, was shocked to
find out during her visit to Cambodia in 2007 for missionary work that
kids there receive no music education at schools.
"Classrooms have no organs, no pianos. Unlike how we have school songs
in Korea, they don't. I have never even met any Cambodian student who
was able to finish their national anthem. The schools (in Cambodia)
offer almost nothing in terms of art and music," said Lee.
So after retiring two years ago, she got down to building art schools
there at her own expense, although she did not wish to reveal the
exact amount.
"Music is all I can do. I have a certain sense of duty that I should
help out at countries that are less fortunate than ours, if they are
in need of my help in anyway. I am also planning to build schools in
other countries as well, such as Laos," said Lee.
The tuition will not be free because the quality of classes has to
reach a certain level, she said. But it will not be too costly,
because she understands the financial situation of the region.
Professors who agree with the school's vision will come to teach from
all over the world, including the U.S. and Austria.
"We will run many scholarship programs and get sponsorships," she said.
Lee has high hopes for the youngest ones who will enter the school,
the 3-year-olds.
"What would be the difference between the 3-year-olds in Paris,
Manhattan, Seoul, or Cambodia? Nothing, because they are not educated
yet. I think they will be given the same chance if we give them the
ideal education taught in other places of the world," said Lee.
Retired professor founds art schools in Cambodia
By Park Min-young
2012-04-17
