Park Min-won, New President of Changwon National University, "Will Become a Regional Hub with Top-Level Competitiveness"

"With exemplary innovative leadership, I will elevate the competitiveness of the National Changwon University to the highest level."

On his first day in office, Park Min-won, the 9th president of National Changwon University, made this statement.

On the 26th, President Park held a press conference at the Glocal University Preparation Committee Room on the 3rd floor of the university main building and officially began his duties.

President Park said, "The university influences not only the surrounding commercial district but also the industrial economy, cultural arts, humanities, and welfare of the local community," adding, "Changwon University will deeply integrate into the local community, breaking down barriers across all fields and positioning itself as the central axis of the Gyeongnam regional ecosystem."

Referring to the Changwon National Industrial Complex, which marks its 50th anniversary this year, he emphasized, "The National Industrial Complex 2.0 project for the next 50 years is being prepared on a national scale," and stated, "Changwon University will play a key role in talent supply and research and development."

He announced plans to lead regional development by collaborating on joint projects with over 2,600 companies located in the Changwon industrial complex, various cultural and artistic institutions, two national research institutes, branch research centers, Gyeongnam Technopark, and Gyeongnam Research Institute.

"We will make the local community recognize that Changwon University has changed," he pledged, "and strive to lead change and be acknowledged as the central axis of the regional ecosystem."

Park Min-won, the 9th president of Changwon National University, is announcing the university's third development plan on his first day in office. [Photo by Changwon National University]

On the same day, President Park asserted, "We must return to the fundamentals of the university."

"Rather than policies that favor professors who excel in research, we should focus our efforts on creating an environment where research can be conducted well," he explained. "Through this, professors can devote themselves to research and provide high-quality education, and students receiving quality education will raise their knowledge levels."

"The social perception that hiring a Changwon University student is never regrettable must become more widespread," he added. "We will respect our staff more, foster mutual consideration, and cooperate to complete a virtuous cycle where Changwon University is recognized as a good university, various institutions commission research to Changwon University, and collaboration and convergence occur across diverse fields."

Regarding the selection as a Glocal University, he explained, "We have formed a Glocal Promotion Committee to prepare for Changwon University's selection in the Ministry of Education's 2nd phase Glocal University project," and stated, "We will establish a Glocal consensus body to reflect the opinions of university members as much as possible and will definitely seek members' approval or disapproval on key plans before submitting the final proposal."

On the establishment of a regional medical school, he said, "We will cooperate with local hospitals and others to ensure its establishment."

President Park stated, "While the Glocal University project is undeniably very important for the university's survival, it cannot be everything for the future of National Changwon University," and added, "National Changwon University must establish itself as a sustainable university."

He also said, "Sustainability can be achieved when we prevent the outflow of local talent and attract excellent external talent to the region," and "From now on, National Changwon University will begin preparing for this."

Park Min-won, the 9th president of Changwon National University, is holding an inauguration press conference. [Photo by Changwon National University]

At the press conference, President Park also announced a three-stage development plan for innovation and change at Changwon University.

The first stage is the integration with Gyeongnam Provincial Namhae and Geochang Universities for regional co-growth.

The second stage involves establishing the Changwon Institute of Science and Technology to nurture leaders of the regional ecosystem, linking with national research institutes in Changwon such as the Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute and the Korea Institute of Materials Science.

The final third stage proposes realizing an American-style state university integration model under the Gyeongnam Provincial University Support System (RISE).

He said, "We must lead a complete transformation, not just minor changes," and added, "We will minimize inefficiencies within the university and foster an environment overflowing with free thought and ideas."

President Park said, "I was a student of National Changwon University, class of 1988, whom I love dearly. Since 2004, I have been a professor, and now in 2024, I have become the 9th president," pledging, "As the first president who graduated from Changwon University, I will dedicate myself to the school for the next four years with the spirit of 'Weogyo Heonsin Chongjang Bonbun' (衛校獻身總長本分, meaning 'Devotion to the school as the fundamental duty of the president')."

President Park is the first president to come from his alma mater since the founding of Changwon University.

He entered the Department of Electrical Engineering at Changwon University in 1988, completed his master's degree at the graduate school, earned his master's and doctoral degrees in electrical engineering from Osaka University in Japan, worked at the Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute (KERI), and was appointed professor in the Department of Electrical and Electronic Control Engineering at Changwon University in 2004.

After winning 52.3% of the votes in the final election for presidential candidates at the end of August last year, defeating Professor Song Sin-geun from the Department of Accounting who received 47.7%, he became the top candidate and was approved by the president following a Cabinet meeting on the 20th.

President Park's term will last four years from today until February 25, 2028.

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