Global K-Culture Hub Goal... Howon University-Jeonju University Alliance 'Glocal University 30' Preliminary Designation

【Financial News Jeonju=Kang In Reporter】 Howon University and Jeonju University have passed the first stage of the Ministry of Education's 'Glocal University 30' project, the 'preliminary designation'.

The Ministry of Education and the Glocal University Committee announced on the 27th that 18 innovative proposals (from 25 schools), including the Howon University-Jeonju University alliance, were selected for the '2025 Glocal University' preliminary designation.

The two universities in Jeonbuk aim to transform into a global K-Culture hub campus centered on the 'K-Life Industry', receiving attention for their challenging strategies beyond the limitations of local universities. They presented a vision of 'Realizing a Global K-Culture Gateway, K-Life Campus sought by the world' and plan to restructure the campus around the K-Life stadium, an experiential practice space integrating practice and entrepreneurship in four areas: K-Food, K-Contents, K-Wellness, and K-Tech.

The experiential practice space will be created by remodeling the library, and the practice results will be linked to profits, which will be reinvested into the region in a virtuous cycle structure.

Strategies to grow beyond the simple category of regional universities into a global K-Culture hub will also be pursued.

K-Life experience centers and exchange centers will be established in major countries in Asia and Europe, and the 'JJ Glocal Delegation' program will be operated to exhibit student content at world-renowned exhibitions such as SXSW (USA), SIAL Paris (France), and CosmeTokyo (Japan).

The Glocal Fund, accumulated based on practice profits, will be established with an annual base of 2.5 billion KRW and will be invested in various areas such as entrepreneurship support, regional festival sponsorship, and equipment improvement.

In addition, a regional tourism, industry, and culture-linked model will be built with 14 local governments including Jeonbuk Province, Jeonju City, Gunsan City, Wanju County, and Gochang County, and a sustainable regional growth structure will be designed through organic cooperation with local companies and research institutions.

Particularly, in connection with the RISE project, attempts will be made to integrate regional key industries and educational courses such as cultural tourism globalization and life service wellness.

Kang Hee-seong, President of Howon University, said, "Through this preliminary designation, the two universities will transform into a practical hub of the global K-Life industry, connecting the region and the world," adding, "We will show new possibilities for higher education in Korea through the Jeonbuk-type innovation model where culture, tourism, and industry are integrated."

Park Jin-bae, President of Jeonju University, said, "Thanks to the support of not only the university members but also Jeonbuk Province, local governments, and local residents, we were able to be selected for the Glocal University preliminary designation," adding, "We will carefully discuss and faithfully reflect the opinions of university members and make efforts to ensure the Glocal University main designation."



kang1231@fnnews.com Kang In Reporter