Education Ministry selects 10 universities, coalitions for Glocal University 30 project

The Ministry of Education selected 10 successful universities and coalitions for this year's Glocal University 30 project, securing funding worth 100 billion won ($74.8 million).

Kim Joong-su, chair of the Ministry of Education's Glocal Institution Committee, announces the 10 universities and coalitions that were selected for this year's Glocal University 30 project on Wednesday. [NEWS1]

The Ministry of Education selected 10 successful universities and coalitions for this year's Glocal University 30 project, securing funding worth 100 billion won ($74.8 million).

Among the 20 shortlisted for funding in April, the Education Ministry selected 10 for the final round on Wednesday.

Of the selected universities, six are individual applicants:

• Konyang University • Kyungpook National University • Mokpo National University • Daegu Haany University • Inje University • Handong Global University.

The remaining four are coalitions:

• Changwon National University, University of Gyeongnam Geochang, University of Gyeongnam Namhae and Korea Lift College • Dong-A University and Dongseo University • Daegu Health College, Gwangju Health University and Daejeon Health University • Wonkwang University and Wonkwang Health Science University.

The Education Ministry evaluated the universities based on how specific and feasible their plans were, the extent to which their goals align with regional development and whether local governments have established plans to support the universities’ agendas.

The Glocal University 30 project offers government funding of 100 billion won ($75.2 million) to each university, to be distributed over five years. The project was first established last year to financially support universities outside of the greater Seoul area in maintaining a competitive edge.

Gimhae Mayor Hong Tae-yong, centre, and Inje University President Jeon Min-hyon, second from right, pose for a photo to celebrate the university being selected for the Glocal University 30 project on Wednesday. [YONHAP]

Some of the selected universities plan to use the funding to create new programs for international students.

The coalition between Wonkwang University and Wonkwang Health Science University will focus on training international students in medical and health fields. Career training in biomedical fields will be offered to international students studying at the university, along with positions at local companies.

The universities will create opportunities for international students to study through official development assistance (ODA) programs. New international student-only majors will be established, focusing on horticulture, smart farm technologies, smart manufacturing technologies, processing and safety management.

Apart from international student-focused goals, the two universities plan to build three industrial complexes on campus, creating zones for biomedical, agricultural and life science companies to strengthen industry-academia partnerships.

Among the coalition of Changwon National University, University of Gyeongnam Geochang, University of Gyeongnam Namhae and Korea Lift College, the Lift College aims to create more programs for international students.

Each of the universities’ campuses will focus on a specific academic field. Korea Lift College's campus in Geochang, South Gyeongsang, will offer engineering and technology education, aiming specifically to attract international students through global ODA programs.

The University of Gyeongnam Geochang's campus will focus on smart manufacturing technology-related programs, while the University of Gyeongnam Namhae will offer programs in defense technology and industry.

For the coalition, Changwon National University, University of Gyeongnam Geochang and University of Gyeongnam Namhae aim to merge by 2026. Although Korea Lift College is part of the coalition, it will only join a joint decision-making body with the merged university.

The Education Ministry plans to continue with the Glocal University 30 project, selecting five more teams for funding in both 2025 and 2026.

Five universities that were shortlisted but didn't make the final list in 2023 advanced past the first round this year. However, the three that again failed to make the final selection — Soonchunhyang University, Chonnam National University and Yonsei University Mirae Campus — will not be given the same benefit if they choose to apply again next year.

The Education Ministry is discussing whether to extend this benefit to the seven universities and coalitions shortlisted for the first time this year, which are:

• Kyungnam University • Tongmyong University and Silla University • Dongshin University, Chodang University and Mokpo Science University • Yeungnam University and Kumoh National Institute of Technology • Ulsan College and Yonam Institute of Technology Chungnam National University and Hanbat National University • Hannam University.

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