Hannong University to Increase Admission Quota for New Students Without Farming Experience to 60%

Announcement of Mid- to Long-Term Development Plans... Preparing for Risks Such as Declining School-Age Population

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] Korea National College of Agriculture and Fisheries announced its 'Mid- to Long-term Development Plan' through 2024 on the 14th. The main point is to significantly expand the recruitment ratio of the special admission track for freshmen without a farming background from 37% this year to 60% in 2024.

Recently, risks have increased due to the decline in school-age population, the advent of the 4th industrial era, and the intensification of the climate crisis. Accordingly, four new major strategies and detailed implementation tasks have been prepared. The four strategies are ▲ Establishing a foundation for securing outstanding talent ▲ Innovating the education system to prepare for the future ▲ Strengthening support for farming and settlement ▲ Enhancing the status as a specialized educational institution.

The core is to expand related admission tracks to incorporate freshmen lacking a farming background into the farming sector. The recruitment ratio of the special admission track, which selects students without a farming background score, will be expanded. The special admission track selects candidates based on curriculum areas, student records, interviews, etc. It accounted for 37% of the total in the 2021 academic year, and the proportion will increase by 23% to 60% in 2024. In the general admission track, the weight of the farming background score will be reduced from 15% this year to 10% next year. Conversely, the interview evaluation score for assessing farming intention will increase from 25% this year to 30% next year.

The curriculum will be refined to focus on future industries. Digital education content such as data collection and utilization will be integrated into existing subjects, and education on carbon neutrality, greenhouse gas reduction, and climate change response will be strengthened.

The direction of graduate management will also shift from 'farming compliance inspection' to 'support for farming settlement.' A graduate in-depth management system will be introduced to streamline the mandatory farming compliance inspection process by utilizing information from related organizations such as agricultural business registration. Intensive support will be provided for the farming settlement of in-depth management subjects.

A 'student panel data' database will be established to compile student information from admission to graduation. During the farming entry stage (1 to 3 years after graduation), support will be provided by linking with practical leased farms, the 2030 Farmland Bank, and local governments wishing to support settlement. In the settlement and growth stage (after 4 years), support will be strengthened for initial appropriate investment inducement through 2040 in-depth consulting, marketing education, and securing sales channels.

Additionally, lifelong education functions will be strengthened for various demand groups such as general farmers and fishers, and graduates of agricultural high schools and colleges to promote the influx of young people into agriculture and fisheries. Furthermore, a HanNongDae network will be established to expand community activities in local societies and activate information sharing and exchange.

Cho Jaeho, president of Korea National College of Agriculture and Fisheries, said, "I will carefully monitor the progress of the mid- to long-term development plan tasks myself to ensure they are carried out without delay and lay the foundation for HanNongDae to take a step forward."

HanNongDae opened in 1997 and has produced 5,551 graduates as of last year. 84.7% of graduates have settled in agricultural and fishery fields. The average annual income of graduate households is about 90 million KRW, more than twice the 41.18 million KRW of general farming households.

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