Jeonbuk National University Opens 'Namwon Development Research Institute'... 'Namwon Development Think Tank'

Measures to Prevent Regional Disappearance and Resolve Corporate Harm Issues
Active Attraction of International Students to Glocal Campus

On the 28th, Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) announced the official launch of the 'Namwon Development Research Institute' with an opening ceremony held at the Namwon Ieum Center. The Namwon Development Research Institute is expected to play a pivotal role as a think tank for revitalizing the stagnant local economy and promoting regional development in Namwon City.

The inaugural director of the institute is Kwon Deok-cheol, who concurrently serves as the director of the JBNU Regional Development Research Institute. The opening ceremony was attended by key JBNU officials including President Yang Oh-bong and Director Kwon Deok-cheol, as well as Namwon Mayor Choi Kyung-sik, Jeonbuk Province Deputy Governor for Economy Kim Jong-hoon, and Namwon City Council Chairman Kim Young-tae.

As part of the Glocal University 30 project aimed at mutual growth with local communities, JBNU established the JBNU Regional Development Research Institute to foster specialized industries and address regional issues across 14 cities and counties. The establishment of the Namwon Development Research Institute has been pursued since March of last year through an agreement with Namwon City.

The newly opened Namwon Development Research Institute operates under the JBNU Regional Development Research Institute and fosters close cooperation between JBNU and local governments to develop the region’s strengths. It serves as a head forum for regional development by addressing issues such as preventing regional extinction and resolving difficulties faced by local businesses.

In particular, the institute plans to revitalize the closed Seonam University campus to create the Namwon Glocal Campus. It aims to attract over 1,000 international students, significantly contributing to the implementation plan of the Glocal University 30 project, which targets regional settlement.

Additionally, the institute will undertake tasks in specialized local fields including ▲conducting research projects and proposing policies ▲establishing Namwon City’s mid- to long-term development plans ▲discovering cooperative projects between the region and the university ▲creating a collaborative ecosystem among local government, industry, academia, and research ▲managing local RISE project competitions and outcomes ▲supporting consulting for employment and startup networks ▲and innovating institutional regulations.

Opening ceremony of the Namwon Development Research Institute at Jeonbuk National University on the 28th.
[Photo by Jeonbuk National University]

Following the opening ceremony, the '1st Regional Development Forum' was held to commemorate the launch of the institute. Participants discussed the promotion of the JBNU Namwon Glocal Campus and the industrial development direction of Namwon City. The institute plans to use this regional development forum as a platform to circulate through the region and address pressing local issues.

At the forum, Baek Ki-tae, JBNU Planning Director and head of the Glocal University project team, presented the strategy for promoting the Namwon Glocal Campus, while Ha Ui-hyun, research fellow at the Jeonbuk Research Institute, presented on the current status and development direction of Namwon’s industry.

During the comprehensive discussion session, chaired by Kwon Deok-cheol, director of the JBNU Regional Development Research Institute, participants including Song Ki-yoon, former vice president of KBSN, An Deuk-su, head of JBNU’s Department of Bio-resource Convergence, Hwang In-seop, professor of Business Administration at JBNU, Park Cheol, professor of Veterinary Medicine at JBNU, An Soon-yeop, director of Namwon City Planning Office, and Song Ki-jung, head of the Future Strategy Division at Camtic Institute of Technology, shared various opinions on the future role of the Namwon Development Research Institute.

President Yang Oh-bong stated, "The opening of the Namwon Development Research Institute marks the first step of an innovative research institute that will breathe new life into Jeonbuk Province. We will contribute to solving the urgent issues facing Namwon City and spare no effort to fully support the successful promotion of the JBNU Namwon Glocal Campus."

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