Deliberation and Resolution on the Amendment to the National School Establishment Decree at the State Council
Admission Quotas Maintained Despite Autonomous Integration Applications
Recruitment Difficulties for New Students at Regional Universities Deepen
[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] Gyeongsang National University, a national university located in Jinju, Gyeongsangnam-do, and Gyeongnam National University of Science and Technology will be integrated into 'Gyeongsang National University' as of March 1.
On the 23rd, the Ministry of Education deliberated and approved the revision of the 'National School Establishment Decree' at the Cabinet meeting. The two universities applied for voluntary integration in May last year and received approval for consolidation in November last year. Based on this, the Ministry of Education prepared a revision of the enforcement decree, including measures such as the scope of subordinate administrative organizations and changes in affiliation of students and public officials.
The integrated Gyeongsang National University will launch on March 1, maintaining a total admission quota of 4,313 students, the same as before integration, and will operate specialized fields according to the Gajwa, Chilam, Tongyeong, and Changwon campuses. The president will be the current president of Gyeongsang National University, with a system of three vice presidents, four offices, one bureau, and four headquarters. The Ministry of Education consolidated 10 national universities into five in 2005 and has been continuing university structural reform work to reduce 160,000 students over 10 years since 2013 due to the decline in the school-age population.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Yoo Eun-hye said, "This national university consolidation is meaningful as it strengthens the competitiveness of national universities through improved operational efficiency and specialization, and as a voluntary integration of two universities located in the same region." She added, "The Ministry of Education will spare no administrative and financial support to ensure that the implementation plan prepared by the two universities proceeds smoothly."
Despite the government's structural reform efforts, the difficulty in recruiting freshmen at local universities is intensifying. According to the University Education Council, 162 universities nationwide that failed to recruit freshmen in the regular admission process are recruiting an additional 27,688 students. The number of additional recruits increased by 169% compared to last year, marking the largest scale since 2005. The top 20 universities with the most additional recruits are all local private universities.
By university, the numbers are ▲ Daegu University in Gyeongbuk 879 ▲ Dongmyung University in Busan 805 ▲ Sangji University in Gangwon 769 ▲ Wonkwang University in Jeonbuk 766 ▲ Silla University in Busan 746 ▲ Gyeongju University in Gyeongbuk 667. The 2021 academic year saw difficulties in recruitment due to a decrease in examinees and delays in university entrance exams such as the CSAT caused by COVID-19.
Lim Seong-ho, CEO of Jongro Academy Haneul Education, explained, "Additional student attrition through retaking exams or transfers may occur after the semester starts at universities located in local areas," adding, "Local universities need special measures to prevent student attrition in a non-face-to-face situation."
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