Ministry of Education Announces 10 Primary Glocal Universities... Konyang University, Kyungpook National University, Mokpo National University, etc.

Daegu Health College - Gwangju Health College - Daejeon Health College, etc.
Universities in 'Alliance' Form Also Selected... Preliminary Selection This Year
Universities Recommended to Be Recognized with Preliminary Designation Status Next Year

Ten schools have been selected this year as Glocal Universities, which will receive approximately 100 billion KRW in support and regulatory innovation over the next five years.

The Ministry of Education and the Glocal University Committee announced on the 28th that a total of 10 universities were selected in this year's Glocal University main designation evaluation: ▲Konyang University ▲Kyungpook National University ▲Mokpo National University ▲Changwon National University·Gyeongnam Provincial Geochang College·Gyeongnam Provincial Namhae College·Korea Elevator University ▲Dong-A University·Dongseo University ▲Daegu Health College·Gwangju Health College·Daejeon Health College ▲Daegu Haany University ▲Wonkwang University·Wonkwang Health Science University ▲Inje University ▲Handong Global University.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Glocal University 30 project was launched last year to overcome the common crises faced by regions and regional universities, such as population decline, the outflow of young people to the metropolitan area, and changes in industrial structure. The strategy focuses on intensive investment in 30 models that can lead university-region co-growth based on innovation that breaks down barriers inside and outside universities and partnerships with local governments and industries.

The Ministry of Education plans to designate around 30 universities by 2026, following the selection of 10 universities last year and 10 this year. Once designated as a Glocal University, each school will receive approximately 100 billion KRW in support over five years.

A total of 109 universities applied for designation as Glocal Universities this year, and 20 passed the preliminary designation evaluation in April. In this main designation evaluation, the execution plans established jointly with local governments and industries to implement the innovation plans of the preliminary designated universities were assessed. The evaluation was conducted in three areas: plan appropriateness, performance management, and local government support.

The evaluation committee assessed that the innovation strategies of Glocal Universities have become more systematic overall compared to last year. It was explained that differentiated models were presented, including flexible academic systems as a basic element, maximizing synergy through university integration and alliances, alliances with research institutes and industries, and global expansion based on university specialization. For the first time this year, a 'university alliance' model was selected.

The Glocal University Committee recommended the Ministry of Education to not recognize the preliminary designation status next year for three universities that were not designated in the 2023 main designation evaluation but were granted preliminary designation status this year, while considering recognizing the preliminary designation status for seven universities newly preliminarily designated in 2024. Related matters will be finalized through public hearings on the 2025 Glocal University designation plan and other opinion-gathering processes.

Universities that have objections to the results of the Glocal University main designation evaluation can file objections from today until September 6. The final review results of the objections will be confirmed in mid-September.

Additionally, the Ministry of Education will fully implement the 'Regional Innovation-centered University Support System (RISE)' from this year, which delegates and transfers the Ministry's university support authority to local governments, enabling local governments, universities, and innovation institutions to establish region-customized strategies. The Ministry explained that Glocal Universities play a foundational role in the successful implementation of RISE. Partnerships between universities and local governments have been solidified in a short period, and even universities not designated as Glocal Universities are expected to incorporate ideas devised during the preparation of innovation plans with local governments into projects to be promoted under RISE.

Lee Ju-ho, Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs and Minister of Education, stated, "Through Glocal Universities and RISE, we will provide full support so that universities can revitalize regions and regions can nurture universities, achieving co-growth between universities and regions."

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