Gwangju Seo-gu and Chosun University Join Hands to Promote Glocal University 30 Initiative

Seo-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City and Chosun University joined hands on the 17th to promote the ‘Glocal University 30’ initiative.

Kim Ikang, Mayor of Seo-gu, and Min Youngdon, President of Chosun University, signed a business agreement for mutual cooperation in the president’s office of Chosun University that morning.

‘Glocal University 30’ is a project by the Ministry of Education aimed at fostering the co-growth of regions and universities. This year, the Ministry plans to prioritize selecting 10 competitive universities outside the metropolitan area.

Gwangju Metropolitan City Seo-gu District and Chosun University joined hands on the 17th to promote the 'Glocal University 30' initiative.
[Photo by Seo-gu]

Accordingly, Seo-gu and Chosun University promised to establish an organic cooperative system and formulate mid- to long-term strategies for mutual development.

Chosun University plans to break down the barriers between the university and the local community and support lifelong growth of local residents through educational innovation linked to local industries, including talent cultivation, research, and start-ups, diversification of teaching and learning, and a shift in perception toward lifelong education.

Seo-gu will take the lead in administrative and financial support as well as creating jobs and conditions for university graduates to settle in the region.

In particular, Seo-gu, the only one among the five autonomous districts without a university in its jurisdiction, is introducing the concept of the ‘World’s Largest University (Sekundae)’ as a reverse thinking approach, promoting the establishment of a lifelong learning system open to everyone.

The district has introduced the concept of ‘university’ to foster village activists and operates its own academic programs such as bachelor’s courses, planner courses, and expert courses.

Seo-gu plans to seek a paradigm shift in lifelong learning by sharing educational resources for capacity development at each life stage of residents through close cooperation with Chosun University.

Kim Ikang, Mayor of Seo-gu, said, “Seo-gu will take the lead in securing sustainable competitiveness together with the local community beyond spatial limitations of universities,” adding, “We will pay attention and support linking university education with residents’ lifelong learning so that local people can enjoy learning anytime and anywhere.”

Min Youngdon, President of Chosun University, stated, “Chosun University, built by the hands of local residents, is an open university without high walls or closed gates,” and added, “Starting with cooperation with Seo-gu, we will do our best to coexist with the local community.”

Meanwhile, in January, Seo-gu signed an agreement with the Chosun University LINC3.0 Project Group and jointly carried out a BI (Brand Identity) design production project reflecting the characteristics of 18 neighborhoods.

Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Shin Dongho baekok@asiae.co.kr

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