"This Time for Sure" Gimhae City Reapplies for Glocal University Designation

Inje University, Gimhae University, Gaya University, and Gimhae Chamber of Commerce Focus Together

Gimhae City in Gyeongnam announced on the 11th that it will make a second attempt to become one of the 30 Glocal Universities in collaboration with local universities.

On the same day, the city held a joint press conference at the Gimhae City Hall briefing room with Inje University, Gaya University, Gimhae University, and the Gimhae Chamber of Commerce and Industry, announcing, “We will once again concentrate all our capabilities to be selected as a Glocal University in 2024.”

They expressed their ambition, stating, “We will leap forward as a hub for smart logistics workforce development through bold educational innovation and customized talent cultivation.”

No Eun-sik, Vice Chairman of the Gimhae Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Gyeongnam (from the far left), Jeon Min-hyun, President of Inje University, Ahn Kyung-won, Vice Mayor of Gimhae City, Ahn Sang-geun, President of Gaya University, and Pyeon Geum-sik, President of Gimhae University, are presenting strategies for designation as a glocal university.
[Photo by Lee Se-ryeong]

The four institutions set the goal of an “All City Campus,” meaning “the entire city as a campus,” and will jointly implement four strategies to be selected as a Glocal University.

They will strengthen local government responsibility through the Glocal University Promotion Team and solidify cooperation systems among regional management frameworks.

The Gimhae Talent Development Foundation, which will swiftly execute the project and spread its outcomes regionally?key evaluation factors of the Glocal University project?will be established within the year.

They plan to operate the hub campus, the substantive realization space of the Glocal University project, early and collaborate by recognizing joint credits within the campuses of the three universities.

Industrial innovation will also be promoted, centered on smart logistics, one of the city’s strategic projects.

Since last year, the Ministry of Education has been selecting 30 Glocal Universities in non-metropolitan areas step-by-step until 2026, providing a budget of 100 billion KRW per university over five years.

This year, the related project announcement will be made in February, project proposals will be accepted until March, preliminary designation will occur in April, and final designation in August.

Previously, Inje University was selected as one of the 15 preliminary Glocal Universities among 108 universities in June last year but failed to be finally designated in November.

With Inje University re-challenging and more universities joining the Glocal University project this year, the average competition rate, which was 1.5 to 1 last year, has increased to 2 to 1.

Jeon Min-hyun, president of Inje University, said, “Universities that failed the final selection last year are exempt from the preliminary screening,” adding, “We will supplement the areas that were lacking last year while more concretely realizing a practical education and an on-site campus that benefits actual companies.”

Ahn Sang-geun, president of Gaya University, said, “From last year’s experience, we in Gimhae know well what the evaluators want and what is lacking,” adding, “This year, we will do our best to be designated as a Glocal University.”

Pyun Geum-sik, president of Gimhae University, said, “We will fulfill our role to ensure education that further develops our region.”

No Eun-sik, vice chairman of the Gimhae Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said, “We will work closely and collaboratively with Gimhae City, Inje University, Gaya University, and Gimhae University to strive for Glocal University designation for university innovation, regional development, and local youth,” adding, “Through the role of bridging with over 8,000 Gimhae companies including member companies, we will provide practical support to companies such as technology assistance and excellent talent supply, creating opportunities for regional industrial innovation.”

Ahn Kyung-won, vice mayor, said, “If the local universities, institutions, and over 8,000 companies unite, this challenge will surely succeed,” adding, “We will review last year’s strategy, strengthen the role of local governments, and spare no support for the selection of Glocal Universities.”

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