Local University Regulation Sandbox 'Higher Education Innovation Special Zone' to be Introduced in First Semester Next Year

Ministry of Education Announces 'Specialized Area Operation Plan for Higher Education Innovation'
Applications Accepted Until October 7, Regional Selection to be Made Within the Year
Local Governments to Develop Plans and Apply to the Minister of Education

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] The Ministry of Education will designate 'Specialized Areas for Higher Education Innovation,' which will ease regulations to allow local universities to reorganize departments and improve curricula over four years, starting from the first semester of 2022.

On the 21st, the Ministry of Education announced that it will establish and guide the 'Operation Plan for Specialized Areas for Higher Education Innovation,' applying special regulatory exemptions for higher education.

The Specialized Areas for Higher Education Innovation is a regulatory exemption system introduced for the first time in higher education based on the Local University Promotion Act. It was prepared to support various educational innovation models tailored to regional conditions.

Non-metropolitan metropolitan governments can apply for designation either independently or in alliance with neighboring local governments. Once designated as a specialized area, higher education institutions promoting innovation in higher education will receive regulatory exemptions for four years.

For example, it will be possible to establish a legal foundation for the installation and operation of shared universities and to improve regulations on academic systems (such as department establishment) for regional innovation and nurturing talent in core fields.

The application period for designation as a specialized area is until October 7. The Ministry of Education plans to select specialized areas by the end of the year, carry out amendments to school regulations and follow-up procedures, and apply them from next year. Applications for designation as a specialized area can be made once a year.

The regional cooperation committee chairperson can establish the 'Higher Education Innovation Specialized Area Plan,' gather residents' opinions, and apply to the Minister of Education for designation as a specialized area.

The plan must include specific details of regulatory exemptions related to nurturing talent in core fields, operation plans, higher education innovation plans, role-sharing plans by stakeholders, and funding procurement plans.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Yoo Eun-hye said, "We hope that financial support through local government and university cooperation-based regional innovation projects and institutional innovation through the designation of specialized areas will create innovation momentum centered on local universities," adding, "We ask for various innovative solutions to current higher education regulations from the regions."

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