Pusan National University to Relocate Some Miryang Campus Departments... Academic Unit Restructuring Next Year

Some Departments of the College of Nanoscience and Technology and the College of Life Resources Science to Be Relocated
Changes Apply to New Students from Next Year
Fostering Talent in Advanced Fields in Response to Government Policies
Including Expansion of the Major Autonomy Selection System

Pusan National University will relocate certain departments from the Miryang Campus to the Busan Campus and the Yangsan Campus starting from the first semester of the 2026 academic year, in response to the declining school-age population, changes in government policy, and the need to expand major selection options suitable for the AI era.

According to Pusan National University on September 17, three departments under the College of Nanoscience and Technology (the Department of Nano Energy Engineering, the Department of Nano Mechatronics Engineering, and the Department of Optical Mechatronics Engineering) will be reorganized under the School of Advanced Convergence at the Busan Campus. In addition, two departments under the College of Life Resources Science (the Department of Animal Life Resources Science and the Department of Plant Life Science) will be reorganized under the newly established School of Applied Life Convergence at the Yangsan Campus. However, the enrollment status and curriculum for current students will remain unchanged.

This restructuring is in line with the Ministry of Education's policies to expand the 'Major Autonomy Selection System' and adjust enrollment quotas for advanced fields. Pusan National University explained that, after receiving the lowest rating in the 2024 National University Promotion Project evaluation due to a low participation rate in the major autonomy selection system-which led to a reduction of approximately 6 billion won in government funding-the need to expand major selection options and foster talent in advanced fields has become even more urgent.

A university official stated, "If we fail to keep pace with the rapidly changing social and educational environment in the AI era, it will result in a loss of resources across education, research, and overall university management," adding, "Reorganizing academic units is an urgent task that can no longer be postponed."

However, concerns have been raised about potential regional decline due to the relocation of departments from the Miryang Campus. In response, Pusan National University plans to implement several measures: launching a joint working group with Miryang City, expanding residency-based education and industry-academia cooperation, minimizing gaps in education and research, and developing a campus advancement model linked to the RISE project. The university also plans to strengthen infrastructure within the Miryang Campus, operate local education programs, and collaborate with the Smart Farm Innovation Valley to create youth jobs and lay the foundation for regional industrial growth.

A university official emphasized, "Because this adjustment of enrollment quotas and academic system restructuring required approval from the Ministry of Education, it was difficult to conduct sufficient prior consultation with the local community," adding, "As a national university, we will promptly establish a development vision for the Miryang Campus that resonates with citizens, in order to fulfill our responsibility for balanced regional development and nurturing future talent."

Pusan National University

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