The University of Nairobi in Kenya and the University of So Paulo in Brazil have recently established departments of Korean studies, the Korea Foundation said on Tuesday.

The establishment of these departments at the top universities in their respective countries is expected to enhance awareness of Korea, the foundation said.

On Tuesday, the University of Nairobi held a launch ceremony attended by Korean ambassador to Kenya Kim Chan-Woo and George Magoha, vice president of the university.

The University of So Paulo is to host a seminar on Feb. 28 to mark the opening of the Korean studies department there.

The Korea Foundation will dispatch professors of Korean language and Korean economy to support the program in Africa. For the University of So Paulo, the KF will partially fund a professor of Korean language and literature for three years.

“We expect the establishments to continue hallyu, or the Korean Wave, in Africa and South America,” said Kim Woo-sang, KF president.

By Bae Ji-sook (baejisook@heraldcorp.com)