Jin Jin-taek, President of Korea University, Appointed as Chairman of the Council of Private University Presidents

Emphasis on Communication with Government and Others to Secure University Autonomy

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] On the 2nd, Jeong Jin-taek, President of Korea University, was inaugurated as the 23rd president of the Korea Association of Private University Presidents (hereinafter referred to as SAPUP), a council of 153 four-year private universities nationwide.

In his inaugural speech, Jeong Jin-taek, the new president of SAPUP, said, "In the midst of changes and crises brought by the Fourth Industrial Revolution, called a civilization-changing great transition, our universities are required to foster talents who will be protagonists in the new normal era and to carry out disruptive innovation to fulfill social responsibilities." He added, "Please design the future of universities in accordance with the changes of the times based on the educational philosophy reflecting the diverse characteristics of each university."

The new president Jeong said, "Based on a culture that respects the uniqueness and diversity of member universities, we will expand the autonomy of university management, increase openness among member universities, and become an academic hub where various programs can be shared."

He continued, "We will strengthen the role and function of private universities that nurture talents and conduct research needed by society, and continuously strive to restore the trust of the government and the public." He emphasized, "For higher education policies, which have been regulation-centered, to change into an environment that guarantees university autonomy and diversity, universities and the government must become cooperative partners, and universities themselves must enhance their self-purification capabilities and promote change and innovation."

President Jeong graduated from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Korea University College of Engineering, earned a master's degree in engineering from the same university, and obtained a Ph.D. in engineering from the University of Minnesota, USA. He has served as president of the Korean Society of Fluid Machinery, a member of the National Academy of Engineering of Korea, and senior vice president of SAPUP, and has been serving as president of Korea University since 2019.