Jeonnam Province Prepares Support Measures for the Successful Opening and Development of KEPCO University

Promotion of Teacher Architecture Action Plan, Research Foundation Establishment, and Residential Environment Improvement Measures

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Jeonnam Province has prepared various support measures for the successful opening and development of Korea Electric Power Corporation University (KEPCO University).

Jeonnam Province announced that it has established an action plan for campus construction, research infrastructure development, and improvement of living conditions to ensure the normal opening in March 2022 and to foster it as the world’s top energy-specialized university.

First, due to the tight schedule until the opening, an action plan was created to advance the start date of campus construction.

In consultation with KEPCO and Naju City, the plan is to complete the urban management plan revision within this year, and to shorten the permit periods such as implementation plan approval and building permits as much as possible until February next year, so that construction can start by May next year at the latest, and temporary use approval will be obtained by February 2022 to open the university.

To establish the research foundation necessary for fostering KEPCO University, the ‘Basic Plan and Local Fiscal Support Feasibility Study’ for the research institute and cluster site of 800,000㎡ (large research institute 400,000㎡, cluster 400,000㎡) will also be completed by January next year.

Through this study, once the world’s best energy cluster is established, joint industry-academia-research institute research will be promoted, and support for startups and small and medium enterprises will be provided, serving as a hub for glocal industry-academia-research cooperation.

The construction of specialized research facilities will also be introduced step-by-step considering KEPCO University’s facility acquisition plan.

KEPCO and Jeonnam Province are planning a base research center that will lead technology commercialization through securing innovative materials and core technologies in the future energy field, joint industry-academia-research institute research, and analysis support. To this end, a planning committee composed of experts in the energy new materials field has been formed, and preparations are underway to establish research facilities for national R&D projects.

In addition, efforts are being made to create an excellent educational environment to improve the living conditions of KEPCO University faculty and staff.

For this purpose, plans to relocate and expand Jeonnam Science High School near KEPCO University and to reorganize its curriculum are also under consultation with the education office.

Ji Young-bae, head of the KEPCO University Establishment Support Group at Jeonnam Province, said, “For KEPCO University to quickly rise as a world-class university after its opening in 2022, improvements in living conditions, cluster formation, attraction of national large-scale research institutes, and promotion of R&D projects must work together like interlocking gears. We will communicate and cooperate with related organizations to ensure smooth progress.”