Pohang City and Local Universities Pursue Joint Growth... Leading the 'Pohang-Centered' Regional Era

The Only Basic Local Government to Host Two Glocal Universities (Standalone Model)

POSTECH and Handong University Launch Support and Cooperation Process for 'Glocal University 30'

Pohang City announced on the 25th that following last year’s selection of POSTECH, Handong University has been designated as a Glocal University this year. The city plans to use this as an opportunity to foster local talent and enhance the global competitiveness of regional strategic industries such as secondary batteries, hydrogen, and bio.

Lee Gangdeok, mayor of Pohang, attended the 'Global Talent Forum 2023' held last year and presented opinions on ways to overcome the crisis of regional extinction through mutual growth between the local community and universities.

The “Glocal University 30” project is a government initiative that selects regional universities to lead the co-growth of universities and local communities by breaking down internal and external barriers and establishing partnerships with local industries. Selected universities will receive 100 billion KRW in support over the next five years.

With POSTECH designated last November and Handong University in August this year, Pohang is the only basic local government to host two Glocal Universities. This has laid the foundation for building infrastructure to enhance regional competitiveness, alongside its status as an education special zone, opportunity development zone, and national advanced strategic industry zone (secondary batteries and bio).

The two universities are expected to make significant contributions to Pohang’s future economic, social, and cultural development through the Glocal University governance system, leveraging their distinct strengths: POSTECH as an engineering university with the nation’s top scientific talent and research infrastructure, and Handong University as a globally oriented institution focused on holistic human resource development.

POSTECH aims to become a truly global university and a foundation for regional prosperity and the nation’s future industries by: ▲ implementing demand-driven educational innovation that transcends university, national, and departmental boundaries ▲ leading the innovation and globalization of regional strategic industries ▲ establishing a Global Startup Pacific Valley to create new industries and drive innovation and globalization.

Handong University plans to strengthen its international-level education and research capabilities and foster talent through key initiatives such as: ▲ “HI College” to realize the future university HI (Holistic Intelligence) education model ▲ “HI Alliance” to expand global cooperation outcomes ▲ “HI Accelerator” as a platform for HI-based local industry-academia innovation. The university will also create innovative models closely linked to the local community.

Pohang City intends to use the Glocal University designation to attract and nurture outstanding talent, promote entrepreneurship, and enhance urban competitiveness, thereby establishing a virtuous cycle of regional development?from talent cultivation to settlement?that addresses the crisis of local extinction.

The city will fully activate its support processes to ensure the two local universities successfully implement the Glocal University 30 project.

Since last year, the city has provided comprehensive support for Glocal University designation, including operating a “Glocal University Implementation Plan Task Force” composed of relevant Pohang City departments.

To drive the project forward, a “Pohang-type Glocal University 30 Task Force (TF)” will be formed, comprising the universities, Pohang City, and local institutions and industries. This group will facilitate information sharing and policy support related to Glocal Universities. The co-chairs of the Glocal University Promotion Committee, the highest decision-making body for Handong University’s Glocal University, are Handong University President Choi Doseong and Pohang Mayor Lee Kangdeok.

Additionally, through the launch of university-led “Glocal University 30 Governance,” the city plans to strengthen mutual cooperation to ensure smooth implementation of the Glocal University project, including support for Glocal University 30 and exchanges of human and material resources in regional strategic industries.

Mayor Lee Kangdeok stated, “With universities and local communities facing a joint crisis due to low birth rates and concentration in the capital area, the selection of Glocal Universities will serve as a catalyst for nurturing future local talent and creating a sustainable regional hub.” He added, “We will work closely and communicate not only with POSTECH and Handong University but also with all local universities such as Sunlin University and Pohang University to drive co-growth of the region and its universities.”

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