Gyeongnam Jeongbodae Declares Major Innovation 'Specialized University' Project

Launch of 'Planning Committee' as Command Center for University Innovation

Introduction of Department Specialization and Interdepartmental Convergence Education Undergraduate System

Strengthening Competitiveness through Expansion of Employme

Gyeongnam Jeongbo University Campus.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-woo] Due to the decline in the school-age population, local universities are facing crises. The situation is so severe that it is likened to "disappearing in the order the cherry blossoms bloom." Universities are under urgent pressure to take decisive action for survival.

Gyeongnam Information University (President Chu Man-seok) in Busan has announced a major innovation. It declared its transformation into a specialized university that students seek out on their own.

The innovation plan prepared by Gyeongnam Information University starts from the determination to completely change the framework of university education, breaking away from the complacency of the era of 100% entrance exams.

The crisis of local junior colleges is more severe compared to four-year general universities. The term "desperate" is appropriate. In this situation, attention is focused on Gyeongnam Information University's plan to redefine the role of junior colleges.

Recently, Gyeongnam Information University was consecutively selected for the Ministry of Education and Korea Research Foundation’s “Digital New Technology Talent Cultivation Innovation Shared University Project (Energy New Business field)” and the “New Industry Specialized Leading Junior College Support Project (Next-generation Semiconductor field),” laying the groundwork to establish itself as a specialized junior college in new industries.

President Chu Man-seok of Gyeongnam Information University said, “As the first junior college in Busan, we have produced 110,000 graduates over 56 years, playing a major role in leading Korea’s industrialization. Despite many crises and hardships, through continuous change and innovation, we have risen to become the top junior college in the country.”

President Chu added, “Now, we will boldly overcome the current crisis with educational curriculum innovation and bold investment necessary to cultivate new talents demanded by the times.”

■ Launch of the Planning Committee to Lead University Innovation

Since March, Gyeongnam Information University has launched a special organization directly under the president called the “Planning Committee” to oversee university innovation.

The committee is chaired by the president and composed of current and former vice presidents and heads of departments with internal and external information capabilities.

Additionally, representatives of professors, staff, and students were elected to gather opinions from all members and determine the direction of innovation.

The committee has set keywords such as “department specialization,” “development of interdisciplinary courses,” and “expansion of lifelong education” to restructure the curriculum and has begun practical work.

The university explained that the recent introduction of a new faculty system during enrollment adjustment is closely related to this. It is not a simple categorization of departments with similar characteristics but aims to realize convergence education to enhance students’ competitiveness.

The committee’s activities are proceeding on the premise of bold investment and harmony among members. Although the situation could shrink due to decreased tuition revenue, Gyeongnam Information University chose bold investment and coexistence.

They plan to build a large-scale digital education environment suitable for Generation Z students and are devising ways to provide various educational paths to professors to enhance their competitiveness.

President Chu said about the committee’s activities, “We are not simply devising survival strategies but turning the crisis into an opportunity to create the value of an ‘Only One University.’ The ultimate goal is to create a mid- to long-term master plan for the university. To this end, the committee will carry out various activities until the end of this year. Gyeongnam Information University, with the longest tradition in Busan, has been a pride of Busan citizens. The Planning Committee will fulfill its role in helping the university take a step forward as a lifelong education hub and a competitive junior college that can breathe together with the citizens until the end.”

■ Introduction of Faculty System for Department Specialization and Interdisciplinary Education

To innovate student-centered education, Gyeongnam Information University has introduced a faculty system since 2022 to promote specialization by field and maximize synergy effects among departments and majors.

Each faculty will jointly participate in government-led projects, including the expanding New Industry Specialized Leading Junior College Support Project, and actively establish interdisciplinary courses to cultivate creative convergence talents.

New faculties were organized, department names changed, and new departments established.

▲ Advanced Future Faculty (Semiconductor Department, Electronics Department, Electrical Department, Mechanical Series, Electric Hydrogen Vehicle Department, Chemical Energy Engineering Department, AI Computer Department)

▲ Spatial Design Faculty (Interior Design Department, Architectural Design Department, Civil Engineering and Environment Department, Environmental Landscape Design Department)

▲ Cultural Contents Faculty (Visual Design Department, Media Video Department)

▲ Health and Medical Faculty (Physical Therapy Department, Dental Hygiene Department, Health and Medical Administration Department, Occupational Therapy Department, Nursing Department, Clinical Pathology Department, Food and Nutrition Department, Sports Rehabilitation Training Department)

▲ Career Faculty (Early Childhood Education Department, Social Welfare Department, Financial Management Series, Police Security Administration Department, Military Science Department, Fire Safety Management Department)

▲ Tourism and Food Service Faculty (Hotel Tourism Department, Hotel Food Service Cooking Series, Aviation Service Department)

▲ Life Care Faculty (Pet Care Department, Hair Design Department, Skin Makeup and Nail Department, Footwear Fashion Department)

A total of seven faculties were organized, with 17 department name changes and two new departments established (Semiconductor Department, Pet Care Department).

Among these, the Health and Medical Faculty at Gyeongnam Information University demonstrated its capabilities by receiving approval from the Ministry of Education to increase the health and medical field by a total of 43 students, the largest scale in the region. ▲ Nursing Department 13 students ▲ Dental Hygiene Department 6 students ▲ Occupational Therapy Department 14 students ▲ Clinical Pathology Department 10 students.

To actively respond to the increasing demand for health and medical industry personnel, Gyeongnam Information University has promoted specialization in the health and medical field through continuous educational innovation with excellent faculty and the construction of dedicated practical lecture buildings and the expansion of the latest facilities for the health and medical field.

They have shown strength in customized education for national exams, achieving the remarkable feat of 100% pass rates for nurses, dental hygienists, and occupational therapists.

■ Strengthening University Competitiveness through Expansion of Employment-guaranteed Customized Education

Gyeongnam Information University has built close industry-academia cooperation systems with many large and medium-sized companies to take responsibility for student employment.

In particular, it has shown outstanding results in customized education where companies “order” the talents they want from the university, which then forms separate classes and educates students, guaranteeing employment by the companies.

For example, on April 15, a tripartite customized education agreement was signed with Samsung Heavy Industries Technical Training Center and Samsung Heavy Industries Partner Companies Council, opening a separate class that guarantees employment for 100 students in 2023 at Samsung Heavy Industries and its partner companies.

They also have customized education agreements with prestigious companies such as Yaksunmyeongga and Juno Hair, operating a “one-stop education-employment system” that nurtures talents desired by companies and guarantees employment.

Additionally, Gyeongnam Information University has opened industry-commissioned education classes with Samsung Electro-Mechanics Busan Plant and Samsung SDI Ulsan Plant, providing educational spaces inside the workplaces where Gyeongnam Information University professors directly teach, operating “Samsung Electro-Mechanics Dream Campus” and “Samsung SDI Dream Campus,” where all regular curricula can be completed.

President Chu Man-seok stated, “The reason for the existence of junior colleges is employment. Gyeongnam Information University will expand employment-guaranteed customized education to all departments and do its best to improve the quality of employment.”

Through bold investment, continuous innovation, and specialization to directly overcome the crisis of junior colleges, a university project that turns crisis into opportunity is stirring in every feasible direction.

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