National Mokpo University-Jeonnam Provincial University Merger... New Start as 'National Mokpo University' in 2026

【Financial News Mokpo=Hwang Taejong Reporter】National Mokpo University announced that the university merger with Jeonnam Provincial University, which has been pursued, has received final approval from the Ministry of Education, and the two universities will newly launch as 'National Mokpo University' on March 1, 2026.
 According to National Mokpo University on the 29th, this merger of the two universities is part of a policy to promote integration among local universities, and is evaluated as a significant milestone to enhance the competitiveness of regional higher education and respond to the decrease in the school-age population.
 Previously, the two universities began full-scale discussions on integration from January 2024, and prepared an integration plan focusing on △campus specialization strategy △restructuring of academic and administrative organizations △linking between associate and bachelor's degree programs, among other key contents. This integration plan was finalized after gathering opinions from members, holding in-campus briefings, and reviewing by relevant committees, and the application was submitted to the Ministry of Education in December 2024.
 The Ministry of Education then comprehensively reviewed not only the feasibility of the integration but also the post-integration campus operation strategy, direction of academic structure restructuring, and the possibility of linking with regional industries through seven rounds of consolidation review committees, and finally approved the integration of the two universities on the 28th.
 The most notable feature of this merger is that it implements a higher education model that integrates 2-year and 4-year degree programs within one university for the first time in the country. Through this, students will be able to smoothly transition from associate degree programs to bachelor's degree programs, creating an educational environment that allows for diverse career planning.
 Additionally, by organically combining practice-oriented education from the professional college and research-oriented education from the national university, it is expected to cultivate tailored high-level talents that can immediately respond to regional industry demands.
 Song Hacheol, President of National Mokpo University, emphasized, "Through this merger, National Mokpo University will operate seven specialized campuses linked with regional industries, providing an opportunity to leap forward as the nation's top-level national university that grows together with the region." He added, "For the successful launch of the integrated university in March 2026, we will closely cooperate with Jeonnam Provincial University to prepare detailed implementation tasks such as the establishment and revision of school regulations, construction of an integrated management system, and improvement of the infrastructure of the Damyang Campus without any setbacks."
 Yoon Jinho, Acting President of Jeonnam Provincial University (Director of Planning and Coordination Office of Jeonnam Province), stated, "The integrated university will become an innovative higher education model that simultaneously nurtures skilled and technical personnel to lead the industries of Jeonnam Province," and "Students will grow into resident-type talents that breathe new life into the local community, and I will do my best to provide active support and play a role so that the integrated university can establish itself as the best national university."

hwangtae@fnnews.com Hwang Taejong Reporter