Integrating 9 Universities Nationwide into 4

[Financial News] Nine universities nationwide will be integrated into four universities to overcome the crisis of regional universities.
The Ministry of Education announced on the 29th that it has given final approval for the integration of three universities, including Kangwon University and National Gangneung-Wonju University, among the nine universities that applied, and plans to give final approval for one more.
According to the universities decided by the consolidation review committee on the 28th, Kangwon University and National Gangneung-Wonju University will be integrated into Kangwon University, National Mokpo University and Jeonnam Provincial University into National Mokpo University, National Changwon University and Gyeongnam Provincial Geochang University, Gyeongnam Provincial Namhae University into National Changwon University. Additionally, the review committee plans to give final approval for Pusan University and Pusan National University of Education to be integrated into Pusan University on the 30th.
Kangwon University, National Mokpo University, and National Changwon University plan to open as integrated universities on March 1, 2026, and Pusan University is preparing to open as an integrated university on March 1, 2027.
First, Kangwon University will reflect the characteristics of Gangwon-do, where campuses are far apart, by promoting specialization with Chuncheon focusing on education and research, and Gangneung, Samcheok, and Wonju campuses as hubs for regional-industry-academic cooperation. They also plan to restructure the academic system through top-class integrated departments, glocal integrated departments, shared curriculum departments, regional specialization contract departments, and non-major departments.
National Mokpo University aims to lead global green marine industry education and R&D, and foster regional growth-driven talents, promoting 2+4 region-specific customized talent development. They plan to restructure the academic system comprehensively, including integrating similar and overlapping departments, and specializing campuses.
National Changwon University plans to contribute to the local community by operating both professional and general bachelor's degrees, and specializing in DNA+ (defense, nuclear power, smart manufacturing, nanobio, and hydrogen energy) to lay the foundation for becoming a world-class prestigious university.
Pusan University aims to create a Korean-style National Institute of Education (NIE) model through the integration of national universities and education universities. By linking teacher's colleges, colleges of education, and graduate schools of education, and realizing specialization and governance of the education-specialized comprehensive campus, it will play a role in nurturing comprehensive educators in a single university. 

monarch@fnnews.com Kim Manki Reporter