Some 109 universities apply for Glocal University 30 project

A total of 109 universities applied for this year's Glocal University 30 project, with more universities applying together amid eased restrictions.

Kim Woo-seung, vice chairman of the Glocal University 30 project committee, announces the universities that won last year's Glocal University 30 funding in November last year. The Ministry of Education announced Monday that 109 universities applied for this year's funding project. [YONHAP]

A total of 109 universities applied for this year's Glocal University 30 project, with more universities applying together amid eased restrictions.

Of the total applicants, 13 were national universities, four were public universities, 55 were private four-year universities and 37 were private vocational universities, according to the Ministry of Education on Monday.

The Glocal University 30 project aims to support universities outside the greater Seoul region amid a decrease in the student population and a strong preference for schools near Seoul. Selected universities will each be given 100 billion won ($74.6 million), to be split over the next five years.

Following the Education Ministry easing rules about forming coalitions, more universities applied together this year.

There were 20 teams, or 56 universities, that applied as a coalition that's required to create a joint decision-making body. Another six teams, or 14 universities, applied together on the condition they merge. The remaining 39 universities applied individually.

Among 108 universities that applied last year, there were 13 coalitions, made up of 27 universities.

Last year's coalitions all had to submit plans to merge within a year of selection.

For this year, universities could also apply as a coalition that will merge, submitting merger plans within a year. They can also apply as a coalition that creates a joint decision-making body and various partnerships. However, the universities either have to maintain that joint decision-making body even after the five-year funding period or eventually merge, although there is no set time frame.

The Education Ministry had announced the change acknowledging it's harder for private universities, backed by different foundations, to merge compared to national or public universities.

The ministry aims to shortlist around 15 to 20 universities for the Glocal University 30 project in April, with selected universities having to submit a detailed plan on how they plan to use the funding in July. The final 10 winners will also be announced in July.

The funding project will continue, as the government plans to select an additional five universities each for 2025 and 2026.

BY LEE TAE-HEE [lee.taehee2@joongang.co.kr]