[The Editors' Verdict]The Way for Regional Universities to Survive vs. The Way to Save Regional Universities

Kyung-ho Lee, Head of Social Affairs Division

Kyungdong University ranked first in employment rate for two consecutive years among universities with over 1,000 graduates, achieving an employment rate of 81.3% last year. The university's slogan is even "Employment Military Academy." This university is both a regional university and a metropolitan university. Originally starting in Goseong, Gangwon Province (now the Global Campus), it faced limitations in recruiting freshmen and academic operations, leading to the establishment of three campuses: Wonju Munmak (Medical Campus) and Yangju, Gyeonggi Province (Metropolitan Campus). This strategy is widely regarded as having achieved its intended results. Although universities are still considered "temples of learning," the reality changes when facing the crisis of regional universities, which are in a state of student extinction alongside population decline.

Eulji University, famous for its medical school, operates its existing Daejeon Campus as a "Medical" campus and its recently opened Uijeongbu Campus as a "Life Care" specialized university. Dongyang University (Dongducheon Campus) in Yeongju, Gyeongbuk, and Joongbu University (Goyang Campus) in Geumsan, Chungbuk, are also examples of universities "advancing" into the metropolitan area.

As the depopulation of regional areas accelerates and the school-age population rapidly decreases, the sense of crisis among regional universities is intensifying. What was once a crisis for some has now spread to the entire sector. According to an analysis by the University Education Research Institute, the dead cross (admission quota > number of applicants) is severe. This year's university admission quota is about 486,000, but the number of eligible applicants is about 414,000, falling short by approximately 70,000. If this continues, the unfilled spots will reach 100,000 in 2024 and 170,000 in 2037. The saying "Those who bloom cherry blossoms first will fail first" is not baseless. Even now, some universities have closed or been shut down. The president of Daegu University, who expressed resignation due to poor admissions, was suspended, and the president of Wonkwang University is facing calls for resignation.

The government finds it difficult to pour unlimited financial resources into regional universities, and even solving employment difficulties through regional talent quotas has its limits. Self-help measures or stopgap solutions are necessary. In times of crisis, companies typically resort to restructuring businesses, reorganizing organizations, and reallocating personnel, including mergers and acquisitions. While downsizing-oriented restructuring that reduces organizations and personnel is possible, it is not easy in universities. The consolidation of so-called unprofitable departments (mostly liberal arts) often faces internal opposition, which is still happening in some universities.

Although it is unclear how the general and specific plans will unfold, the path for regional universities can be summarized as "merging, dividing, and changing." Merging may involve consolidating departments, but more importantly, it means integrating universities within the same foundation or between universities in the same region that can create synergy. This aligns with the metropolitan concentration and depopulation response strategies of metropolitan governments. Examples include the integration or alliance of Daegu-Gyeongbuk, Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam, and Gwangju-Jeonnam. The recently launched Gyeongsang National University (Gyeongsang University + Gyeongnam National University of Science and Technology), Korea National University of Transportation (Chungju University + Korea Railroad University), University of Incheon (University of Incheon + Incheon Technical College), Chonbuk National University (Chonbuk National University + Iksan University), Kyungpook National University (Kyungpook National University + Sangju University), and Gangneung-Wonju National University (Gangneung University + Wonju University) are examples. Dividing refers to overcoming regional limitations, as seen in Kyungdong University and Eulji University.

Changing involves adjusting admission quotas and reorganizing departments to fit current realities. This includes restructuring departments or faculties by integrating the curricula of two or three departments. However, the success or failure of the "merging, dividing, and changing" approach depends on the interests of education authorities, school foundations, university members, alumni associations, and local communities. It seems that Seoul (the Blue House and legislature), Sejong (the executive branch), and the metropolitan area (universities and public opinion) do not fully grasp the crisis of regional universities. It is necessary not only for regional universities to find ways to survive but also to find ways to save them. Lee Kyungho, Social Affairs Chief gungho@

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