**STEPI Proposes Two-Track Innovation Plan for Graduate STEM Programs: Practical ‘Master’s Track’ and Research-Focused ‘Ph.D. Track’**
The Science and Technology Policy Institute (STEPI) has released a report highlighting the need to restructure the R&D foundation of science and engineering graduate programs, which have traditionally centered around professors’ research labs. This comes in response to the declining school-age population and low birth rates.
The report, titled “STEPI Insight (Issue 337),” suggests a two-track approach where graduate programs focus on practical and field-oriented ‘Master’s-centric programs’ and research-intensive ‘Ph.D.-centric programs.’
For over a decade, graduate programs in science and engineering have faced a severe qualitative and quantitative crisis due to the gap between metropolitan and regional universities, as well as a preference for employment in large corporations. This situation has been further exacerbated by rapid population decline and socio-economic changes. As a result, it is expected that by the 2040s, the number of graduate students in these fields will be half of the current level. Ph.D. training may be limited to about 20 institutions, including top research universities, major private universities in the capital region, and regional national universities.
The report notes that since the 2000s, many universities have aimed to become research-focused institutions and have recruited faculty based on research capabilities. However, actual conditions vary greatly among universities, leading to uniformity and stratification, and have intensified the gap between metropolitan and regional universities.
National R&D projects in South Korea are supported at the individual level, not at the university, department, or organizational level. This competitive funding approach places a heavy burden on individual faculty to secure research funds. Furthermore, due to limited university resources, research accounts for a significant portion of university financial support, and research publication performance is crucial in assessments, making it difficult for universities to establish distinctive characteristics.
Key issues identified in the report include the uniformity and stratification of universities, the exacerbating crisis for regional universities, the disconnect between societal needs and science and technology workforce training, the lack of established collaborative research, insufficient support for graduate students, and the precarious treatment of postdoctoral researchers.
The report proposes that, based on the conditions and strengths of individual graduate schools, master’s programs should focus on practical field-oriented education and R&D support. Research-focused universities striving for global standards should be developed alongside specialized programs by region and research field.
In particular, regional and small to medium graduate schools should be oriented towards master’s programs that support R&D and industry-academic cooperation aligned with regional industrial needs.
Senior Research Fellow Park Ki-beom from STEPI stated, “The traditional R&D system based on faculty research labs composed of professors, graduate students, and support staff is no longer sustainable. Strengthening the research and educational capabilities of universities and faculty, along with stable support systems for graduate students, is essential to address national issues and nurture future science and technology talent.”