9 Universities Nationwide to Merge into 4 National Universities

9 universities nationwide will merge into 4 universities to overcome the crisis of regional universities. The Ministry of Education announced on the 29th that it has finally approved 3 cases of university mergers applied by 9 schools, including Gangwon University and National Gangneung-Wonju University, and plans to finally approve 1 case.

Looking at the universities decided by the consolidation review committee on the 28th, Gangwon University and National Gangneung-Wonju University will merge into Gangwon University, National Mokpo University and Jeonnam Provincial University will merge into National Mokpo University, and National Changwon University, Gyeongnam Provincial Geochang University, and Gyeongnam Provincial Namhae University will merge into National Changwon University. Additionally, the review committee plans to finally approve the merger of Busan University and Busan National University of Education into Busan University on the 30th.

Gangwon University, National Mokpo University, and National Changwon University plan to merge and open on March 1, 2026, while Busan University is preparing to merge and open on March 1, 2027. Gangwon University, reflecting the characteristics of Gangwon Province where campuses are far apart, will specialize Chuncheon in education and research, and Gangneung, Samcheok, and Wonju campuses as bases for regional, industrial, and academic cooperation. They plan to restructure the academic system through Top Class Integrated Department, Glocal Integrated Department, Curriculum Sharing Department, Regional Specialization Contract Department, and Non-major Department.

National Mokpo University aims to lead global green marine industry education and R&D, and foster talents leading regional growth, promoting 2+4 region-specific customized talent training. They plan to restructure the academic system comprehensively, including the consolidation of similar and overlapping departments, and specialization of campuses.

National Changwon University plans to contribute to the local community by operating both professional and general bachelor's degrees, and to lay the foundation for a world-class prestigious university by specializing in DNA+ (defense industry, nuclear power, smart manufacturing, nanobio, and hydrogen energy).

Busan University aims to create a Korean-style National Institute of Education (NIE) model through the integration of national universities and educational universities. By linking teacher's colleges, colleges of education, and graduate schools of education, and implementing specialization and governance of the education-specialized general campus, it will take on the role of training comprehensive teachers at a single university.


monarch@fnnews.com Kim Manki Reporter