Universities Open Era of 'Joint Classes'... 'Joint Departments' Also Emerging

6 Universities Including Dongmyung University Sign Agreement with Busan City to Establish Shared University Platform
Joint Operation of AI-Based Entrepreneurship Marketing Course Planned for First Semester Next Year

On the 28th, Busan City and six local universities held a signing ceremony for the establishment of a shared university platform.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-woo] The era of "joint classes" among multiple universities has arrived. Soon, "joint departments" are also expected to emerge.

On October 28, the LINC+ Project Groups of six universities in the Busan area, including Dongmyung University, held a signing ceremony for the establishment of a shared university platform at the Busan Lotte Hotel. They will officially cooperate on jointly operating AI-based entrepreneurship marketing courses starting from the first semester of next year.

Through this agreement, Busan City and Dongmyung University, Dongseo University, Dong-A University, Dong-Eui University, Pukyong National University, and Korea Maritime and Ocean University will implement ▲ joint operation of the shared university platform ▲ joint development of human resource training curricula ▲ joint planning and development of mutual cooperation programs and content ▲ mutual cooperation and administrative and financial support ▲ active cooperation in promoting shared university-related projects.

This shared university platform is a model led by each university’s LINC+ Project Group, with the support of Busan City, where six universities plan to operate a single joint class.

Starting from the first semester of next year, an "AI-based Entrepreneurship Marketing" course will be offered. Busan City will provide the Eurasia Platform space at Busan Station, and each university will assign one professor to conduct the class. The goal is to jointly operate AI convergence departments in the future.

The "University System of Busan (USB)" can be linked and cooperated with the Ministry of Education’s Regional Innovation Platform Project and the Digital New Technology Talent Training Innovation Shared University Project, expecting a synergistic effect.

Last September, the Ministry of Education announced support for shared universities as one of the university models in the post-COVID-19 era ("Digital-based Higher Education Innovation Support Plan for Future Education Transformation").

This plan focuses on establishing a shared growth-type higher education ecosystem by revitalizing joint curriculum operation among universities and nurturing talent in digital new technology fields through an innovative shared university system.

Jung Hong-seop, president of Dongmyung University, said, "This is an opportunity to lead regional development through a shared university based on cooperation among all universities in Busan and Busan City by presenting a new digital education model."

Byun Sung-wan, acting mayor of Busan, said, "The development of local universities is the driving force for the city's growth, so I hope that by sharing high-quality education, universities and the region will grow together."

The signing ceremony was attended by Byun Sung-wan, acting mayor of Busan; Jung Hong-seop, president of Dongmyung University; Jang Je-guk, president of Dongseo University; Lee Hae-woo, president of Dong-A University; Han Soo-hwan, president of Dong-Eui University; Jang Young-soo, president of Pukyong National University; Do Deok-hee, president of Korea Maritime and Ocean University; as well as about 40 others including academic affairs directors and LINC+ project group leaders from the six universities.