Wonkang University and Wonkang Health University Selected as One of the Ministry of Education's Glocal 30 Universities

Global Talent Development in Life Sciences Kicks Off
150 Billion KRW National Funding Secured Over 5 Years
Significant Support from Jeonbuk Provincial Government Cooperation

Wonkwang University and Wonkwang Health Science University in the Jeonbuk region (hereinafter referred to as 'Integrated Wonkwang University') have been selected for the Ministry of Education's 'Glocal University 30'.

According to Jeonbuk Autonomous Province on the 28th, Integrated Wonkwang University was finally selected for the '2024 Ministry of Education Glocal University 30'. The Ministry of Education designates glocal universities to foster competitive universities that will lead the co-growth of universities and regions, providing about 100 billion KRW per university over five years.

On this day, the Ministry of Education selected the final 10 universities after reviewing implementation plans and conducting face-to-face evaluations for 20 universities provisionally designated on April 16.

Integrated Wonkwang University presented an integrated model combining the capabilities of both universities under the vision of 'Global Hub University for the Life Industry,' securing 150 billion KRW in national funding over the next five years. It is embarking on a bold journey to nurture global talent in the life industry in cooperation with local governments.

The selection of Integrated Wonkwang University as a glocal university is said to have been greatly influenced by its bold innovation plan and strong cooperation with local governments.

The province has decided to support Integrated Wonkwang University with 75 billion KRW over five years to become the innovation engine realizing the 'Global Life Economy City, Jeonbuk Special Autonomous Province' through bold innovation. Cities and counties within the province, including Iksan City, have also pledged a total of 117 billion KRW in support.

The province will continue to strengthen its cooperative relationship with Integrated Wonkwang University to realize regional development through talent cultivation, research and development, and industry-academia cooperation in the life industry sector. It plans to enhance corporate attraction and nurture regionally settled talent by linking with Iksan's health functional food opportunity development special zone and education development special zone.

The leap of Integrated Wonkwang University as a glocal university with the vision of 'Global Hub University for the Life Industry' aligns with Jeonbuk Autonomous Province's vision of a 'Global Life Economy City,' Iksan City's vision as a 'Medical Happiness City' and 'Food Industry Capital.' Integrated Wonkwang University is expected to become a leading university for the future of the national life industry alongside local government development.

On the 28th, Wonkwang University and Wonkwang Health Science University achieved the great success of being selected for the Ministry of Education's 'Glocal University 30' program.
[Photo by Wonkwang University]

The two universities connect local communities and the world, combining their strengths in all medical and health-related departments and RIS (Local Government-University Cooperation-Based Regional Innovation Project) capabilities centered on agricultural life and bio to cultivate global talent in the life industry. Their goal is to nurture global talent who live healthily (medical and life sciences), eat safely (agricultural life sciences), and enjoy happily (life services).

To this end, they will strengthen cooperation with local governments, industries, academia, hospitals, and research institutes centered on the W.I.T.H. Valley, presenting a new model of industry-academia cooperation. They plan to contribute to regional industrial development through close linkage with local agricultural and life clusters and the national food cluster.

They will also focus on expanding their global network. By strengthening cooperation with leading overseas universities and research institutes, they will promote international cooperation linked to ODA projects. The L2G (Local to Global) program will be operated to support students in gaining practical experience at world-class universities and research institutes. They also plan to focus on nurturing internationally competitive talent through attracting international students based on ODA, globally expanding K-MED achievements, and establishing a World Agricultural University.

Integrated Wonkwang University emphasizes the originality and distinctiveness of its innovation direction in the life industry by presenting major glocal university initiatives such as ▲launching the integrated WON UNIV. leading life industry innovation ▲restructuring the academic system centered on the life industry ▲major innovation in life-respecting academic systems ▲training R&BD specialized talent in the life industry (Jeonbuk Bio Convergence Graduate School) ▲making W.I.T.H. Valley a hub of the life industry ecosystem ▲realizing a life-embracing hub university ▲and nurturing global talent in the life industry.

The presidents of Integrated Wonkwang University stated, "Both universities will unite to achieve the vision of a global hub university for the life industry, accomplishing university integration and innovation," adding, "Furthermore, we will work together to nurture global talent in the life industry to repay the interest and love we have received from the local community by contributing to regional development."

Kim Kwan-young, Governor of Jeonbuk Province, said, "The selection of Integrated Wonkwang University as a glocal university is significant as it marks a turning point for regional development through education, following last year's RIS, RISE pilot area, Jeonbuk National University's glocal university, and this year's education development special zone selection," adding, "We will generously support Integrated Wonkwang University, the core private university alongside the flagship national university Jeonbuk National University, to become the two wings of regional development and soar vigorously."

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