In 2024, a total of 10 universities, including a federation, have passed the final gate of the “Global University 30” project, which focuses on providing 100 billion won in concentrated support to local universities over the next 5 years. These universities, while boldly breaking down barriers internally and externally, have presented common tasks to facilitate regional cooperation, including the formation of “super-regional federations” that encompass multiple areas.
The Ministry of Education and the Global University Committee announced on the 28th that after evaluations by the judging panel for the main selection of Global Universities and the Global University Committee, 10 universities (including federations) have been selected as this year’s main designated Global Universities.
The Global University 30 project was initiated last year to address the common crises faced by regions and local universities, such as population decline, youth outflow to metropolitan areas, and changes in industrial structure. By promoting bold innovation that breaks down barriers both within and outside universities and fostering close collaboration with regions, this project aims to select around 30 models by 2026 that can lead the mutual growth of regions and universities. The selected universities will receive benefits, including approximately 100 billion won in support funds over 5 years and priority application of regulatory improvements. This year, 109 universities applied (based on innovative planning documents from 65 universities), and in April, 20 universities were preliminarily designated as innovative models.
In the main selection evaluation, the Ministry of Education assessed the execution plans collaboratively developed by the prospective designated universities with local governments, industries, and other entities to implement their innovative planning documents. The evaluation focused on the appropriateness of the plans, performance management, local government support, investment, and other key areas. The main evaluation was outsourced to a specialized agency (Korea Research Foundation), and the evaluation panel consisted of experts from academia, research, and industry, operating independently and conducting a closed-door evaluation to ensure strict security measures.
As a result, universities such as Geonyang University, Kyungpook National University, Mokpo National University, National Changwon University, Gyeongnam Provincial Geochang University, Gyeongnam Provincial Namhae University, Koreatech (Korea Polytechnic Univeristy), Dong-A University, Dongseo University, Daegu Health College, Gwangju Health College, Daejeon Health College, Daegu University of Oriental Medicine, Wonkwang University, Wonkwang Health Science University, Inje University, and Handong Global University have been finally selected. Among the universities that were included as prospective designated universities last year but failed to pass the final selection evaluation, Inje University and Handong Global University were successfully selected this year.
The selected universities for this year have proposed innovative models that emphasize expanding students’ major selection rights, enhancing collaboration with industries through flexible academic systems, maximizing synergy through university integration and alliances, breaking down human and material barriers through research institutions and industrial collaborations, and exploring global opportunities based on university characteristics.
Specifically, Geonyang University plans to overhaul its university system to focus on the defense industry, implementing education-industry collaboration specialized in defense industries centered on testing, certification, and verification. Mokpo University is venturing into creating value through collaboration in eco-friendly carbon-free ships and green marine energy fields, and concentrating on nurturing specialized fields.
Many schools that submitted innovation plans based on alliances and integrations were also selected. Last year, out of the 10 main designated universities, 4 were models of integration. This year, the newly allowed “alliance” model enables universities that find complete integration challenging to achieve integration at a relaxed level, such as in decision-making and student admissions.
Daegu Health College, Gwangju Health College, and Daejeon Health College plan to break down regional barriers by forming a “super-regional federation”, establishing a foundation to construct joint governance structures by setting up incorporated associations, standardizing healthcare industry educational programs, and jointly venturing into overseas markets. National Changwon University, Gyeongnam Provincial Geochang University, Gyeongnam Provincial Namhae University, and Koreatech are planning to respond comprehensively to the demand for advanced industrial functions and manpower by integrating public universities with research institutions, forming an alliance, and focusing on various fields, starting from core research and development (R&D) of national industries. Dong-A University and Dongseo University have designed revenue-generating models as integrated industrial complexes.
The Global University Committee recommended that the Ministry of Education consider recognizing the status of the 7 newly prospective designated universities this year. However, the 3 universities that were recognized as prospective designated universities this year due to not being selected in last year’s main selection evaluation will not be recognized as prospective designated universities next year.
Details regarding the recognition of prospective designated universities for the next year, 2025, will be finalized through public hearings for the Global University designation plan. Universities that have objections to the evaluation results can submit a complaint from the 28th of this month to the 6th of next month. The final review results will be confirmed and announced in mid-September.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Lee Ju-ho stated, “Through Global Universities, we will wholeheartedly support universities to revive regions and enable regions to nurture universities, achieving mutual growth between universities and regions.” He urged, “We will do our best to ensure that Global Universities fulfill their bold vision and plans presented in the execution plans, create results, and make them accessible for all universities and regions to utilize.”