Provincial University Presidents Demand Withdrawal of Capital Region Semiconductor Quota Expansion

Statement Opposing Increase in Semiconductor Department Quotas in the Seoul Metropolitan Area
"Increasing Quotas in Metropolitan Universities Will Accelerate Local Talent Drain"
National Key University Presidents' Council Decides to Foster Talent Through Internal Restructuring

Former Minister of Education Park Soon-ae is announcing the 'Semiconductor Talent Development Plan' on July 19.

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] Presidents of non-metropolitan universities have voiced opposition to the policy of expanding semiconductor student quotas at metropolitan universities. They are concerned that the semiconductor quota expansion policy, which goes against the existing quota reduction policy, will accelerate regional extinction.

On the 31st, the union of university presidents' councils from seven regions held a press conference at the National Assembly, urging, "The Ministry of Education must withdraw the policy to increase student quotas in metropolitan areas." A total of 108 university presidents participated in this statement.

The union of presidents' councils stated in their declaration, "This inconsistent measure not only contradicts the quota reduction policy that the Ministry of Education and universities have been strongly promoting but also raises doubts about its effectiveness. Regional university presidents express strong concerns."

The union further pointed out, "It is difficult to accept the Ministry of Education's anachronistic idea of training personnel through the easy method of increasing quotas without deeply considering fundamental measures to both revitalize regional universities and cultivate high-quality semiconductor talent."

In July, the Ministry of Education announced through the 'Semiconductor Talent Development Plan' that it would allow quota expansion when establishing or expanding departments as long as the faculty securing rate is met. The goal was also set to expand graduate student quotas by 1,102 and undergraduate (bachelor's) quotas by up to 2,000 by 2027.

In response, the union of presidents' councils agreed on the 22nd of last month at the National Key Universities Presidents' Council to cultivate semiconductor talent required by the government through self-initiated restructuring instead of quota expansion.

The union emphasized, "We demand that the will of national key universities be actively reflected in the government's talent development policies for advanced industries, including the semiconductor sector," and added, "We urge not to ignore realistic and effective measures and to devise fundamental plans that can both revitalize regional universities and cultivate the insufficient semiconductor workforce."

In early July, the union of presidents' councils met with former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Park Soon-ae to express concerns about the quota deregulation plan.

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