The National Council of Presidents of National and Public Universities (chairperson: President Jung Sung-taek of CNU) discussed a free tuition system for all national and public universities.
 
At the first regular general meeting of the year held at CNU’s Storium on March 14, the council estimated that a budget of 500 - 700 billion won would be needed to realize free tuition at national and public universities. This is about 17% of the national scholarship budget, and it is expected that some financial resources will be available if the national scholarship budget is used.
 
Presidents predicted that if free tuition becomes a reality, it will have a positive impact on strengthening university competitiveness and attracting top talent. However, they all agreed that other financial support for the university should not be reduced due to this. The details of the free tuition system were decided to be fleshed out through further discussions in the future.

Other agenda items included ▲ establishment of a long-term financial vision for national and public universities, ▲ revision of laws regarding the scope of sub-organizations within national universities, ▲ improvement of the operating system for senior (endowed) professors, ▲ establishment of international networks for national and public universities, ▲ establishment of a website for the Conference of National and Public University Presidents, ▲ introduction of electronic research notes for efficient research, ▲ improvement of overtime pay for teaching assistants at national universities, and ▲ activation of discussions between secretaries-general and heads of general affairs departments at national universities, among others.

The National Council of Presidents of National and Public Universities plans to review and develop the agenda discussed on this day and make recommendations to the government and the National Assembly.
 
In a conversation with the Ministry of Education held prior to the meeting, Vice Minister Oh Seok-hwan and the presidents agreed that the Ministry of Education and universities will continue to cooperate in the development of higher education and policy establishment.
  
Vice Minister Oh stated, “Many ideas from the field are needed to create and spread successful innovation models in higher education. I will listen carefully to the opinions of university presidents and make efforts to reflect them in policies.”

Chairman Jung of the National Council of Presidents of National and Public Universities stated, “Although March is a lively month, universities are going through a tough time with various crises and challenges. I hope that national and public universities, as codependent communities, will focus on the essence of education and research through cooperation and collaboration, seeking solutions that can contribute to national development.” 

Additionally, on March 15, university presidents visited the Global Motors factory, a representative symbol of Gwangju, and showed great interest in initiatives such as social consensus processes for regional economic revitalization and youth job creation.

The National Council of Presidents of National and Public Universities, a consultative body where 40 university presidents from national and public universities discuss higher education development and university innovation through cooperation, will hold its next meeting in Jeju in June.