Symposium on Countermeasures for Population Decline
On November 8, 2023, Chonnam National University’s Fisheries and Aquaculture Research Institute, in collaboration with the Yeosu Economic Justice Research Institute, hosted a symposium titled “Coexistence Strategies for Regional Cities Facing Population Decline and the Risk of Disappearance.” The event gathered approximately 150 attendees, including Kim Young-kyu, Chairperson of the Yeosu City Council, and Park Bok-jae, Vice President of Chonnam National University’s Yeosu Campus, to discuss strategies and responses to population decline and regional city sustainability. This symposium served as a platform for capacity-building and education with local policymakers and the community.
Researcher Park Choong-hoon from the Busan Research Institute emphasized the need for a strategic shift to foster shared prosperity in the Yeosu-Suncheon-Gwangyang metropolitan area, considering the increasing concentration of resources in the Seoul metropolitan area. He also highlighted the importance of policy support to establish essential commercial facilities and conveniences, enabling young people to feel integrated within the city.
In his opening remarks, Vice President Park Bok-jae addressed the accelerating regional extinction caused by population decline and metropolitan concentration, pledging that Chonnam National University will continue to work alongside local residents to find solutions to these pressing challenges.
※ Evidence: News article https://today.jnu.ac.kr/WebApp/web/HOM/COM/Board/board.aspx?boardID=174&bbsMode=view&page=41&key=4153
‘Agora Roundtable’ on Solutions for Regional Decline
The Gwangju-Jeonnam Regional Innovation Platform’s University Education Innovation Headquarters, led by Chonnam National University, held an 'Agora Roundtable' on September 19, 2023, to explore solutions for the crisis of regional decline. This public forum brought together policymakers, education experts, and students to discuss the causes and solutions for regional depopulation, focusing on creating a virtuous cycle model connecting talent development, job creation, and regional development.
In the first session, experts from various fields discussed responses to the regional extinction crisis in Gwangju and Jeonnam, while the second session focused on strategies for regional innovation. Students from Mokpo University, Honam University, and Chonnam National University participated as panelists, engaging in active discussions with the presenters and contributing to a vibrant Q&A.
The roundtable was broadcast on KBS 1TV on October 11 and 18, making it accessible to a broader audience. Han Tae-ho, Director of the University Education Innovation Headquarters, expressed commitment to continuing practical, ongoing discussions on sustainable regional development rather than a one-time assessment of the decline issue.
※ Evidence: News article https://today.jnu.ac.kr/WebApp/web/HOM/COM/Board/board.aspx?boardID=146&bbsMode=view&key=17025
2023 Environmental Monitoring Civil Servants Capacity-Building Training Outcome Report
In April 2023, Jeonnam Green Environment Support Center, in collaboration with Jeollanam-do, conducted a specialized training program for approximately 70 environmental civil servants, including officials from the Gwangyang Bay Free Economic Zone Authority and local governments. This program aimed to enhance civil servants' expertise and job competencies by explaining recent environmental policy trends and providing comprehensive training on inspections of pollutant-emitting businesses.
The training covered a range of topics, including updated environmental laws, inspection techniques for pollutant-emitting businesses, response procedures for water pollution incidents, and sampling methods for air and noise monitoring. Specific sessions focused on recent updates in environmental legislation, air and water pollutant sampling, and the handling of odor complaints, among other relevant topics. The event also created a platform for intergovernmental communication, enabling participants to share field challenges and foster closer cooperation.
This program contributed significantly to strengthening the expertise of environmental monitoring officials, helping them to effectively oversee pollutant-emitting businesses and manage water pollution incidents, thereby aiding in pollution prevention and response efforts.
※ Evidence: 2023 Environmental Monitoring Officials Capacity Building Training Report
Chonnam National University College of Medicine - International Symposium on Aging Solutions
On October 21, 2023, Chonnam National University’s College of Medicine hosted the 17th International Symposium on Aging at its Hwasun Campus. Under the theme “From Dependence to Independence, and Aging Together,” over 240 participants attended both online and in person, with prominent experts from Korea and abroad delivering lectures.
The symposium featured sessions covering a wide array of aging topics, including the Korean Centenarian Study, self-care for thriving in old age, and the latest treatments to combat aging. This annual symposium is a renowned academic event, gathering professors, researchers, medical professionals, and experts from various fields like geriatrics, gerontology, elderly welfare, nursing, and social policy to discuss and integrate advancements in aging research and care.
The event was organized by Chonnam National University’s Geriatrics Center, led by Director Yoon Kyung-chul, and the Institute of Aging Science, directed by Park Kwang-sung, with support from Hwasun County. The symposium committee, chaired by Professor Park Sang-chul and organized by Yoon Kyung-chul, with contributions from Program Chair Park Cheol-seung (GIST) and Secretary-General Han Jae-young, contributed significantly to the success of the event.
Dr. Ahn Young-geun, Director of Chonnam National University Hospital, expressed support for the symposium’s role in advancing geriatric knowledge, and Dr. Jung Young-do, Dean of Chonnam National University College of Medicine, highlighted the importance of exploring solutions for aging, wishing for the symposium’s impact in promoting a healthy and fulfilling elderly life.
※ Evidence: News article https://today.jnu.ac.kr/WebApp/web/HOM/COM/Board/board.aspx?boardID=174&bbsMode=view&key=4127
Higher Education System Innovation Forum Ahead of RISE Implementation
On July 3, 2023, Chonnam National University hosted a forum titled “Higher Education System Innovation for Regional Coexistence” at its Cosmos Hall, in anticipation of the upcoming 2025 RISE (Regional Innovation System in Education) implementation. This forum brought together key figures, including Vice Chairman Lee Jeong-hyun from the Local Era Committee, Vice Mayor Lee Sang-gap from Gwangju City, officials from the Ministry of Education, and university representatives, to explore strategies for collaboration between regional governments and universities.
Discussions focused on the roles of local governments and universities under the RISE framework. Presentations included insights on the role of local governments and Gwangju’s RISE strategy by Koh Young-hoon, Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province’s Education Reform Support Officer, and Kim Dong-hyun, Director at Gwangju City. Additionally, a panel session, led by Chonnam National University’s Vice President for Research Kim Soo-hyung, examined universities’ strategies for adapting to RISE, with participation from officials like Park Sung-ha, Head of the Ministry of Education’s Regional Talent Policy Division, and panelists from Kyungpook National University and Jeonbuk National University.
Participants agreed on the need for effective governance partnerships between universities and local governments and emphasized structural reforms within universities to ensure the success of the RISE framework.
※ Evidence: News article https://today.jnu.ac.kr/WebApp/web/HOM/COM/Board/board.aspx?boardID=146&bbsMode=view&key=17204
