Celebrating 10 Years of Cultural Collaboration Between BSDC and Jeonju Kijeon College

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Tuesday 2 September 2025

Burton and South Derbyshire College (BSDC) recently marked the 10-year anniversary of its educational and cultural partnership with Jeonju Kijeon College in South Korea. The milestone was celebrated in May 2025 with a three-day K-Culture Festival, bringing together students, staff and guests to honour a decade of global exchange.

We’re proud to have supported this partnership for many years, working closely with BSDC to enrich the student experience and strengthen international connections through industry-led learning.

A Decade of Cultural Exchange and Innovation

The collaboration between BSDC and Jeonju Kijeon College began in 2016 with a 16-week student visit to the UK, part of the Global Practical Training Programme. Since then, the relationship has grown to include regular exchange visits, virtual projects, cultural showcases and community-led learning. Activities have ranged from Korean cookery and traditional games to Taekwondo, dance, minhwa painting and academic lectures.

Throughout the partnership, both institutions have shared a commitment to developing cultural understanding, practical skills and personal growth — values we also hold closely at Hardy Signs.

Our Role Through the Sign and Print Academy

As part of our ongoing relationship with BSDC, we continue to support the Sign and Print Academy — a specialised facility at the college which gives students hands-on experience with professional sign making, printing and digital design equipment. The space is fitted with wide-format printers, digital cutters and industry-standard software, reflecting the real-life tools we use in our own headquarters.

Earlier this year, we welcomed a group of visiting students from Jeonju Kijeon College to our Burton-based premises. They were given a behind-the-scenes tour of our operations, including demonstrations of CNC routers, large-scale laser cutting and signage production. It was a fantastic opportunity to share industry insight with the next generation of creative professionals.

Marking the 10-Year Milestone

To celebrate a decade of collaboration, BSDC hosted a K-Culture Festival packed with performances, exhibitions and interactive events. Highlights included:

• Korean street food prepared by visiting chefs
• Minhwa painting and arts workshops
• Live Taekwondo demonstrations
• Traditional Korean games such as yutnori and gonggi
• A cultural showcase attended by representatives from the Korean Embassy and the Korean Cultural Centre UK

This celebration reflected the values at the heart of the partnership — cultural appreciation, mutual respect and shared learning.

Proud to Be Part of Something Meaningful

We’re incredibly proud to have supported this international collaboration over the last 10 years. Our involvement with BSDC and its international programmes reflects our belief in using business as a force for good — opening up educational opportunities and championing global connections.

Whether through practical training, signage support or creative learning environments, we look forward to seeing how this partnership continues to grow and inspire.

If you’re an education provider looking to enhance your student offering through industry-backed facilities or international partnerships, contact us today to find out how we can support your goals.