Park Jae-gyu, President of Gyeongnam National University, "We Will Start a New Leap Toward 100 Years"

Gyeongnam National University Holds Inauguration Ceremony for 12th President

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Song Jong-gu] “We will begin a new leap toward the 100th anniversary of Gyeongnam National University, realizing a university full of Hanma people's pride and loved by the local community.”

President Park Jae-gyu of Gyeongnam National University said this at the inauguration ceremony.

Gyeongnam National University held the ‘12th President Dr. Park Jae-gyu Inauguration Ceremony’ at 10:40 a.m. on the 8th in the main building's large conference room.

Gyeongnam National University held the "Inauguration Ceremony of the 12th President Dr. Park Jae-gyu" in the main building's large conference room.

The inauguration ceremony, celebrating the new start of the university that will leap tirelessly toward the future like Gyeongnam National University's symbol ‘Hanma (汗馬)’, was held grandly and colorfully with about 200 Hanma family members including professors, students, and alumni attending without inviting external guests. The event included a report on the president's appointment process and introduction of his career, presentation of the appointment plaque, inaugural address, congratulatory video, and a choral performance by the faculty choir.

In his inaugural address, President Park said, “I sincerely thank all the Hanma family members who attended today to celebrate the inauguration of the 12th president.” He added, “Since its founding in 1946, Gyeongnam National University has grown into a prestigious private university that transcends the limitations of a regional university through 77 years of change and creative innovation, engaging in broad exchanges with the world.”

He continued, “Despite various crises faced by universities such as the decline in the school-age population, Gyeongnam National University has achieved remarkable results, including being selected as the leading institution for several large national projects such as the Future Mobility Technology Convergence Talent Training Project, the only one in the Gyeongnam region.” He said, “The university was able to lead innovation in higher education and play a pivotal role in regional industry-academia cooperation thanks to the devoted efforts of the Hanma family who have contributed to the university's development with exceptional affection and passion, as well as the local residents who have supported the university.”

In particular, President Park stated, “I deeply feel the urgency of innovation in higher education faced by Korean society and the harsh survival threats experienced by regional universities.” He proposed four ‘creative innovation directions’: ▲ a university oriented toward customers or consumers ▲ a ‘future-oriented education content leading university’ that responds to the demands of the times and society ▲ a ‘decentralized responsible management university’ through decentralization ▲ and a ‘regionally friendly university’ that contributes to regional development and the improvement of local residents' quality of life.

President Park said, “A university is a creative educational ecosystem and a symbiotic community where students, professors, and the local community harmonize together. Therefore, it must always be an educational organization that respects autonomy and diversity, and we will begin a new leap toward the 100th anniversary of Gyeongnam National University, realizing a ‘university full of Hanma people's pride’ and a ‘university loved by the local community.’”

President Park’s term is four years, from February 8, 2023, to February 7, 2027.

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