As a result of the consultation with Busan National University of Education (BNUE), Pusan National University (PNU), which is in the process of designation to the government's Glocal University 30 project, sought to collect opinions from PNU members, and it was found that student opposition remained. 

On September 13th, PNU Planning and Evaluation Department announced the results of the integration promotion vote between PNU and BNUE. On September 7th and 8th, 4,283 members including full-time teachers, employees, assistants, undergraduates, and graduate students participated in the two-day vote. 

The overall voting results were divided into almost equal levels of approval and disapproval. According to the data released by the Planning and Evaluation Department, 2,259 people (53%) voted for integration and 2,024 (47%) voted against it. Participants were 2,360 undergraduates, 985 graduate students, 540 full-time teachers, 286 employees, and 112 assistants. The participation rate of undergraduate students was the highest.

Of these, 63.5% of undergraduates opposed integration, which means student backlash remains. The number of opponents was 1,500, which is close to double the number of 860 in favor. This is similar to the results of a survey conducted by “Channel PNU” in May among PNU students. According to the "In-school Opinion Survey on the Integration of PNU and BNUE" (571 students participated), 73.7% (421 students) opposed the decision to merge. 

On the other hand, a majority of other members of the school were found to be in favor of integration: full-time teachers (468 in favor and 72 in opposition), employees (240 in favor and 46 in opposition), assistants (90 in favor and 22 in opposition), and graduate students (601 in favor and 384 in opposition). 

The results of this vote will be reflected in the glocal project designation plan. An official of the Planning and Evaluation Department said, “We are receiving opinions from members of the school through additional surveys to include opinions that were not reflected in the vote.” 

On the other hand, some have pointed out that they still do not reflect the opinions of all members. This is because irregular lecturers were excluded from voting. Irregular lecturers appealed for against this unfairness by posting statements on school bulletin boards. An official of the Planning and Evaluation Department said, “We also referred to the cases of other universities and decided who to vote for.”

Reporter Yoon Ji-Won

Translated by Lim Chae-Kyung