CNU has taken a significant step forward in its active pursuit for the retrial of the Glocal University 30 Project.
On December 18, 2023, CNU held a broadcast forum called “Yongbong Agora” at Gwangju CMB, discussing success stories and opinions on the evaluation criteria from the Ministry of Education for the Glocal University 30 Project.
During the forum, Yoon So-young, head of the Ministry of Education's Regional Talent Policy Division, emphasized the crucial role of regional universities for education in achieving balanced regional development. She stated that the government has a strong determination to create a university that leads global competitiveness through bold innovation, specializing in industry and social connections.
Professor Min Jung-joon, Vice President for Research at CNU, stated, “We humbly accepted the results of the selection of the Glocal University 30 Project, and the university is currently conducting self-evaluations and analyses for new challenges.” Professor Min expressed the university's commitment to ▲ focusing on detailed projects, ▲ restructuring academic structures, ▲ establishing dedicated organizations, ▲ involving experts in major fields, and ▲ enhancing collaboration with local governments.
In particular, Vice President Min said, “The application for glocal universities takes the form of matching universities and a single metropolitan government, leading to a competition between local governments. Although CNU has campuses in Gwangju and South Jeolla Province, it had difficulties in reaching an agreement with the latter.” He also emphasized, “In the case of a hyper-metropolitan base university like CNU, I think it should truly overcome the challenge of receiving support from both Gwangju and South Jeolla Province.”
Professor Jang Deok-hyeon, Director of Planning at Pusan National University, which was selected as one of the 30 glocal universities, said, “It seems that the strategy of establishing a complete life cycle education system through the integration of Pusan National University and Pusan National University of Education has gained persuasiveness.” He added, “However, during the implementation process, experience in higher education was lost. It took quite a bit of time to bring about collaboration with local government that has little experience in higher education. We should overcome many challenges together in the future.”
Professor Baek Ki-tae, Director of Planning at Jeonbuk National University, said, “Jeonbuk National University will develop into a flagship university that will lead the Jeonbuk region, which has a relatively poor industrial structure and regional production, to the world. By 2028, when the Glocal University 30 Project is completed, it will be a university that foreign students want to visit in the Jeonbuk region. We will become a leading university with a gross domestic product exceeding 3% of the national share.”
CNU decided to draw up a new strategy in earnest based on the success stories from the debate and the Ministry of Education's selection and evaluation contents.
Prior to this, CNU held a self-evaluation of non-selection as a glocal university, an analysis of success cases, and a kick-off meeting for a second attempt.
Meanwhile, the broadcast debate recorded on this day is scheduled to be aired several times in January through local cable broadcasting networks such as CMB, KCTV, and LG Hello Vision in order to foster consensus with the local community about the Glocal University 30 Project and gather regional capabilities.
