Master's Degree Available... Pilot Operation of Job-Centered Education Program 'Meister University'

Ministry of Education Announces 'High-Skilled Professional Technical Talent Development Plan'
From Short-Term Job Training to Professional Technical Master's Programs
60% of Instructors Are Field Experts; Adult Learners Also Eligible to Participate

Meister University Curriculum Operation Flowchart (Provided by the Ministry of Education)

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Hyun-joo] A "Meister University," where students can earn a master's degree through a curriculum focused on job skills and technical training, will be piloted at universities.

On the 27th, the Ministry of Education held the 20th Social Relations Ministers' Meeting at the Government Seoul Office and announced the "Pilot Operation Plan for Meister Universities to Cultivate Highly Skilled Technical Talent" as a follow-up measure to the "Innovation Plan for Junior Colleges."

Meister Universities are institutions that organize and operate curricula centered on job skills. They consist of short-term job courses, associate degree programs, major specialization courses (bachelor's), and professional technical master's programs. The short-term job courses include certification acquisition programs and "microdegree" courses. The advanced professional technical master's program offers job-focused curricula for individuals who hold a bachelor's degree and have more than three years of work experience in the relevant field. Students can balance work and study and choose courses at their desired level.

The difference from existing master's programs lies in the field-customized educational environment. More than 60% of the faculty are field experts capable of transferring technical skills, and practical equipment and devices are established. Various academic systems such as night and weekend classes, online-offline integrated education, and recognition of prior learning experiences are introduced and operated to allow adult learners to participate. A corporate and regional cooperation system will also be established, with a tentative "Open Lab" to encourage participation and create a virtuous cycle of collaboration.

The Ministry of Education plans to establish and announce the basic plan for the Meister University pilot project in January next year and select pilot operation schools through written and face-to-face evaluations in March. A total of 2 billion KRW will be invested in four schools on a pilot basis, and excellent models will be derived to refine related systems. Each university can operate a Meister University in specialized fields unique to the school, regional strategic industries, advanced (new technology) fields, and industry demand areas. Full-scale implementation is expected to begin in 2023.

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