Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU or simply Seongdae, Hangul: 성균관대학교; Hanja: 成均館大學校) is a private comprehensive research university in South Korea. The institution traces its origins to the historic Sungkyunkwan, founded in 1398 and located in central Seoul. As the foremost educational institution of the Joseon Dynasty, it was governed by the great code of the state administration with royal assent. It was restructured as a comprehensive university in the late 19th century, and has since greatly expanded its course offerings. The university spends heavily on research and development, mostly sponsored by Samsung, Hyundai, and government agencies, producing high-end research scientists including chemical engineering professor Park Nam-Gyu, who was named a Clarivate Citation Laureate in 2017 by Clarivate Analytics, and physics professor Lee Young-hee, director of the Center for Integrated Nanostructure Physics in the Institute for Basic Science. Both scientists frequently appear in Nature. Location The university's Humanities and Social Sciences Campus, also housing arts departments, is in central Seoul on the same hill as Changdeokgung and Changgyeonggung (two of the royal palaces of Joseon). It is near Hyehwa-dong and Daehangno. The nearest subway station is Hyehwa Station on Seoul Subway Line 4. The Natural Sciences Campus, housing natural science, engineering, medicine, and sports departments, is within walking distance of Sungkyunkwan University Station in the northwest of Suwon. The 101-hectare campus, 45 km south of Seoul, was established in 1978. History Sungkyunkwan was established in 1398 as the Joseon Dynasty's highest educational institution. Its name means, "Sung (成, to make), Kyun (均, harmonious society), Kwan (館, institute)." It focused on an in-depth study of the Chinese Classics, Confucian canon, and literature of the era, and how to apply the knowledge to governing the nation and understanding the nature of humanity. It also served as a shrine (see Munmyo) to the Confucian sages where rituals were held regularly to honor them and their teachings. It was located within the city walls of Hanseong (modern-day Seoul), the capital during the Joseon period. It followed the example of the Goryeo-period Gukjagam, which in its latter years was also known by the name "Sungkyunkwan". Numerous Korean historical figures, including Yi Hwang and Yi I, studied at and graduated from Sungkyunkwan. A considerable amount of Korean literature and works of hanja calligraphy were created and archived by Sungkyunkwan scholars over the centuries. Ancient University Period (1398-1894) The history of Sungkyunkwan University can be divided into the ancient