Pusan National University (PNU) operates a Task Force (TF) with the premise of integrating with Busan National University of Education (BNUE) to be designated as the main campus of the "Glocal University 30" project (Glocal University). The TF prioritizes incorporating various opinions from university members, addressing previous concerns of inadequate opinion gathering.

On July 31, PNU held an inauguration ceremony for the "PNU Innovation TF," a university-wide council, in the conference room on the 3rd floor of PNU main administration building. Along with its establishment, they discussed the direction and details for the selection of the main campus for Glocal University. According to PNU's Planning and Evaluation Division, this TF operates under the  "Glocal University Innovation Expansion TF," which includes participation from BNUE, Busan City Hall, Busan Metropolitan City Office of Education, and local industries.

According to PNU's Planning and Evaluation Division on August 28, the goal of TF is to promote innovation and break down internal and external barriers within the university, in line with the spirit of the Glocal University. PNU, which was pre-designated as the only Glocal University in Busan in June, divided the TF into four subgroups (1st subgroup - Vision and University Integration, 2nd subgroup - Education Innovation, 3rd subgroup - Development and Research of the Yangsan Campus and 4th subgroup - Industry-Academia and Local Government Collaboration) based on the four innovation strategies outlined in the pre-designation execution plan and set up step-by-step committee with strategy-writing-practice. The strategy is to break down the walls between universities in the 1st subgroup, break down the walls in universities in the 2nd subgroup, and innovation in research and industry for regional innovation in the 3rd and 4th subgroups.

PNU plans to hold an explanatory meeting on the draft of execution plan in September and submit the final execution plan to the National Research Foundation of Korea by October 6 after revisions. The September explanatory meeting will target all university community members, including BNUE students. The Planning and Evaluation Division stated in a written interview with “Channel PNU” that they would actively incorporate diverse opinions from the explanatory meeting into the final execution plan.

The primary challenge of TF is to gather opinions from within the university. PNU announced that they received recommendations for professor members from each department and college to ensure the inclusion of diverse views from the university community during the formation of TF. For the 1st and 2nd subgroups, student representatives recommended by the General Students’ Association (GSA) also participate. Kim Yo-Seop (Dept. of Korean Language and Literature, 20), president of the GSA, stated in a conversation with “Channel PNU” on August 3 that "The core of Glocal is ultimately the students. As a student representative, I pledge to provide various ideas and opinion collection methods to establish our university as a truly outstanding institution.”

Notably, the Chairman of the BNUE Preparatory Committee is also participating as a student representative in the 1st subgroup. University staff members are part of the practical working committees. The Planning and Evaluation Division stated, "Professors, students, and staff are collaborating in drafting the plan, aiming for “bold innovation” through this collaboration." The Office of Strategic Planning had previously promised to try to gather opinions from within the university while drafting the execution plan, addressing the complaints of rushed progress during the pre-designation period (reported by “Channel PNU” on June 2, 2023).

During the last summer vacation, PNU focused on gathering opinions from the College of Education, which will most affect the integration with BNUE. Concerns were raised about the relocation of the College of Education to BNUE campus (Geoje-dong, Yeonje-gu, Busan) after the integration. This relocation could lead to uncertainties in educational infrastructure and difficulties in interaction with other departments (reported by “Channel PNU” on May 26, 2023). In response, Office of Strategic Planning conducted opinion-gathering processes involving representatives of the College of Education's faculty and students in July. It held face-to-face explanatory sessions for College of Education students on August 2 in the conference room on the 3rd floor of PNU main administration building. Subsequently, they drafted the preliminary execution plan based on individual meetings with professors from all departments within the College of Education over a month in August. 

Currently, the College of Education at PNU is closely monitoring the project's progress. On August 21, in a conversation with “Channel PNU”, Choi Yong-Kwon (Dept. of Korean Language and Literature, 21), the GSA president of the College of Education, stated, "Since the campus relocation issue requires extensive dialogue, I know that there have been many discussions between TF and the College of Education faculty." He added, "During the explanatory meeting targeting the College of Education students, the atmosphere was not bad, and there was active Q&A, with most students showing interest and engaging in communication."

The Glocal University project, initiated by the government to respond to a declining school-age population and rapid changes in the industrial structure, provides financial support of 100 billion won over five years to designated universities in non-metropolitan areas. PNU applied for the Glocal University status in April with the premise of integrating with BNUE and aims to become the "Seoul National University in the Southern Region." The preliminary innovation plan that passed in June is centered on the theme of "Be the One, Be the First'' and includes four innovation strategies. The strategies are the establishment of a “NEW comprehensive teacher training university” through the integration of PNU and BNUE, ensuring diverse education choices, creating an advanced interdisciplinary research and industry-academia complex and strengthening the function of an industry-academia collaboration hub. The Office of Strategic Planning believes that the designation as a Glocal University can be a significant leap for PNU, becoming "Another Seoul National University'' or "Seoul National University of the Southern Region." The Ministry of Education will officially designate around 10 universities among the pre-designated universities in October.

Reporter Choi Sun-Woo

Translated by Ha Chae-Won