Gwangju University Launches Autonomous Innovation Department Support Project

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Gwan-woo] Gwangju University announced on the 3rd that it will officially implement the ‘Autonomous Improvement Department Support Project’ to foster creative and convergent talents through autonomous innovation in education.

Gwangju University, selected as an autonomous improvement university with the highest rating in the university basic competency diagnosis evaluation announced by the Ministry of Education, recently held an autonomous innovation department plaque ceremony in the major lecture room of the Department of Child Studies at Seongsil Hall, attended by Kim Hwang-yong, head of the University Innovation Support Project Group, Han Gyu-mu, director of Academic Affairs, and Kim Soo-hyang, head of the Department of Child Studies.

The autonomous innovation department support project, based on the University Innovation Support Project, is conducted to enhance the economic power of ‘regional strong departments’ through the design and operation of specialized curricula reflecting social demand and feedback.

Entering its third year this year, Gwangju University has selected a total of 16 autonomous innovation departments: 6 leading types (Department of Nursing, Department of Library and Information Science, Department of Logistics and Trade, Department of Child Studies, Department of Occupational Therapy, Department of Youth Counseling and Lifelong Education) and 10 general types (Department of Creative Writing, Department of Health Administration, Department of Beauty and Cosmetology, Department of Social Welfare, Department of Tax Management, Department of Sports Science, Department of Food and Nutrition, Department of Speech Therapy, Department of Early Childhood Education, Department of Fashion and Jewelry Design).

Gwangju University plans to support various programs through the autonomous innovation departments, including curriculum reform, special lectures, certification courses, clubs, mentoring, field trips, competitions, and contests.

In addition, through autonomous innovation in education reflecting university specialization, local community and industry demands, and student needs, the university plans to cultivate competitive talents and take the lead in establishing a virtuous cycle structure for regional community and industrial revitalization.

Gwangju University has continuously promoted the autonomous innovation department support project, selecting 10 departments in the first year in 2019 and 13 departments in the second year in 2020, aiming to improve the best educational environment, create a campus where students can dream, and develop global education programs.

Kim Hwang-yong, head of the University Innovation Support Project Group at Gwangju University, said, “We are doing our best to develop curricula reflecting student demands and to create a cutting-edge future-oriented educational environment such as smart classrooms,” adding, “We will actively support enhancing students’ creativity and employment capabilities through the autonomous innovation departments.”

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