The final selection of Glocal University 30 Project has ultimately led to the integration of Pusan National University (PNU) and Busan National University of Education (BNUE). One day after the selection announcement, PNU established the “Integration Promotion Committee (IPC).”

On November 13th, PNU President Cha Jung-In had a press conference about the “2023 Glocal University Final Designation Evaluation Results” and the selection of PNU as a Glocal University. According to the two announcements, PNU outlined plans for breaking down barriers between universities, academic disciplines, and the local community in a 300-page Final Designation Implementation Proposal. The analysis suggests that the proposal of PNU, focusing on “breaking down barriers,” aligns with the Ministry of Education’s (MOE) direction. 

■”Breaking Down Inter-University Barriers” through the Integration with BNUE

The judging panel noted the integration of PNU and BNUE, which PNU focused significantly on. This is the second case of integration between the National Flagship University and the University of Education. Considering that the MOE recommended the integration of Jeju National University and Jeju National University of Education, integration between PNU and BNUE is exceptional. This integration is seen as a signal to address the crises of regional universities and education universities. President Cha mentioned in the press conference, “The integration is recognized as an effort to realize the right direction of nurturing elementary school teachers on a larger stage: integrated university. It is appreciated as throwing an important topic for the development of 10 education universities of Korea, which got high evaluation from panel.”

The universities aim for complete integration by 2027. Discussions about integration began when making a business agreement in 2019 and 2021. At that time, it was not propelled because of the opposition from BNUE. However, discussions on integration gained momentum with the government’s Glocal University 30 Project which aimed at addressing issues such as a rapid decline in student population and weakened competitiveness of regional universities.

PNU established the IPC on November 14th, the day after the Glocal University final designation announcement. In a briefing, the MOE stated, for universities jointly applying to the project for integration, they must submit an integration application within one year after signing the Glocal University agreement. The IPC is tasked with preparing the integration plan to be submitted to the MOE, and covers overall operations and administration on integration. PNU President Cha and BNUE President Park Soo-Jah are co-chairs, and the committee consists of 29 members (17 from PNU, 12 from BNUE). The starting ceremony was not held, and the first meeting is scheduled for November 20th.

PNU is also forming a “Student Subcommittee (SS)” to gather student opinions. As the organization to listen to the student’s opinions on the integration, the SS is comprised of 10 members, including three student representatives from each university (a total of 6) and the Office of Student Affairs staff. After the formation, the SS will gather student opinions by conveying them directly to the IPC or its student representatives attending the IPC meetings. Lee Mi-Na, the Associated Director of Planning in the Division of Planning and Evaluation, mentioned, “The topics discussed in the IPC are more about management and administrative aspects than student concerns, so the SS was formed.”

PNU expects the Yeonje campus of BNUE to become a global Edu-Tech hub, lead up to job creations. PNU and the Busan City plan to develop cooperative projects in the field of Edu-Tech, which has recently attracted attention. President Cha stated in the press conference, “Edu-Tech will be another city brand of Busan by developing Edu-Tech as an important industry of Busan through joint Research and Development (R&D) with Edu-Tech companies, and holding a global Edu-Tech expo.”

■“Breaking Down Academic Barriers” through the Pentomino-style Education System

PNU’s second focus is “Breaking Down Academic Barriers” through educational innovation. The main strategy is the introduction of the “Pentomino-style Education System.” Like the Pentomino puzzle, which arranges several pieces in various ways to get rid of the space on the board, PNU plans to establish an education system where students themselves can design competencies independently as if they are putting puzzle pieces together.

PNU plans to implement the system in line with a complete reorganization of the educational curriculum in 2025. According to the Education Policy Team in the Office of Educational Affairs, 65 of 90 departments are willing to participate in the Pentomino-style Education System. Research projects have been assigned to departments willing to participate. Based on the research outcomes, PNU is considering pilot operations for some departments from the following year.

The Biomedical Convergence Education System is also designed according to the Pentomino-style Education System. The Department of Advanced Bioengineering, which accepts new students, will be established, and convergence majors with no admission quota will be found simultaneously. Convergence majors are nominated as the Department of Convergence Science, the Department of Clinical Biology, and the Department of Public Health. Students from other colleges such as the College of Nature, the College of Natural Resources and Life Science, and the College of Pharmacy will be provided with opportunities to take various classes. Associated Director Lee explained, “The Department of Advanced Bioengineering is expected to be established in 2025 following the MOE's procedures because its admissions criteria should be set. Convergence majors will be introduced if possible, as they only require internal administrative procedures, in 2024.”

■“Breaking Down Regional Barriers” through Industry-Academia Collaboration

PNU aims to promote growth together by breaking down barriers between the university and local governments. PNU aims to foster outstanding talents to lead the strategic industries in Busan by combining talent development initiatives with the Pentomino-style education. By combining talent development projects, such as the Semiconductor Specialized University Project and the establishment of the Graduate School of Data Science, and the Pentomino-style Convergence Education, PNU plans to foster talents encompassing Busan Strategic Project such as Power Semiconductors, FinTech, ICT and Quantum Technology, Life Care Industry, and Edu-Tech Industry.

PNU is also committed to the regional Biomedical industry. PNU plans to establish an education and research ecosystem in the field of Biomedicine linked with the Yangsan Campus, PNU Hospital, and Busan Eco-Delta City. According to the Busan City, the Busan Eco-Delta City was selected as a pilot project in 2018 to present a future city model applying new technologies of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. According to President Cha, PNU will create the PNU-RTP (Research Triangle Park), connecting the Yangsan Campus, PNU Hospital and the Busan Eco-Delta City to lead the biomedical industry.

■Is There Feasibility of Implementation?

The Office of Strategic Planning made it clear that the viability of all sections of the business plan is high. Jang Deok-Hyeon (Dean, Office of Strategic Planning) stated, “We included evidence materials spanning 150 pages and a performance management plan that outlines the metrics for validating achievements on an annual basis. The implementation proposal of PNU is seen as having a higher viability of realization than any other university's proposal.”

Meanwhile, PNU has received financial support exceeding 5 billion won this year and is anticipated to receive over 10 billion won next year. The integrated university’s exact scale of financial support has yet to be determined. Associated Director Lee stated, "PNU applied for the Global University 30 Project based on the integration, so it is expected to receive a larger amount of support than a single university typically receives."

Reporter Jeong Da-Min

Translated by Ha Chae-Won