Training 100,000 Digital Talents... 'Innovation Shared University' Plan Confirmed

Consortium of 7 Schools... Joint Operation of Educational Programs
8 Fields Including Next-Generation Semiconductors and Future Cars

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] The Ministry of Education is establishing a cooperative system to develop joint educational programs among universities with the goal of nurturing 100,000 digital talents within five years.

On the 24th, the Ministry of Education reviewed and finalized the basic plan for the "Digital New Technology Talent Nurturing Innovation Shared University" at the 4th Social Relations Ministers' Meeting.

The digital new technology talent nurturing project focuses on universities sharing, opening, and cooperating to develop standardized curricula for each new technology field, and flexibilizing academic systems so that even non-majors can be trained as talents in new technology fields.

Seven universities form a consortium and develop joint educational programs by sharing faculty, content, and equipment in new technology fields. Each university can operate various courses that meet diverse demands by categorizing within the common curriculum into advanced talent courses, practical talent, and convergence specialist talent courses.

Up to three consortia will be selected for each of the eight new technology fields, with 83.2 billion KRW supported this year. The eight fields are next-generation semiconductors, future cars, biohealth, artificial intelligence (AI) and big data, intelligent robots, renewable energy, and immersive media (AR·VR).

For example, in an artificial intelligence curriculum, courses can be divided from beginner levels such as programming to intermediate and advanced levels like neural networks and computer vision, and the curriculum can be subdivided into certification, convergence/minor, and double major tracks.

A consortium can be formed by up to seven universities, including one lead university and one junior college. Universities will jointly utilize equipment they possess and establish a cooperative system for nurturing core talents by organizing a consultative body involving faculty and experts with advanced education and research know-how.

Standardized curricula that can be shared by new technology fields will be developed. Courses that are easy to jointly operate among universities or combine with existing majors will be developed and operated as certification or degree programs. Students will be able to freely participate in new technology education regardless of their existing majors, with courses provided by level and field.

To enable non-majors to grow as talents in new technology fields, support will shift from short-term courses to level-based degree programs and will be linked to employment. Online lectures will be uploaded on the K-MOOC website, allowing universities not participating in the consortium to also benefit.

The academic system will be flexibilized and mutual opening among universities promoted to expand curriculum choices. Plans include easing restrictions on course registration between departments, increasing enrollment limits per course, raising the credit limit for seasonal semesters, and operating flexible (intensive) semester systems. The Ministry of Education is also reviewing ways to improve regulations necessary for operating joint educational programs after receiving applications from universities.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Yoo Eun-hye said, "Through the Digital Innovation Shared University project, we will shift the paradigm from competition to sharing and cooperation among universities, creating a higher education ecosystem that supports student growth together beyond regional and university capability gaps."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.