Ministry of Education Preselects Gangwon, Daegu, and Gyeongbuk for Regional Innovation Projects

15 Universities Including Kangwon National University, Yonsei University, and Gangneung-Wonju National University Establish LSR Shared University Platform
23 Universities Including Kyungpook National University and Yeungnam University Launch DGM Shared University for Electronic Information and Future Car Fields

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] The Ministry of Education announced on the 18th that it has preliminarily selected the Gangwon and Daegu-Gyeongbuk platforms as target regions for the 'Regional Innovation Project,' which fosters local talent through collaboration between local governments and universities.

The Ministry of Education will finalize the selection results by the end of this month after choosing new target areas for the local government-university cooperation-based Regional Innovation Project in 2022.

The Regional Innovation Project aims to overcome the crisis of regional extinction caused by the decline in school-age population and the outflow of local talent to the metropolitan area by establishing a collaborative system (Regional Innovation Platform) between local governments and universities, nurturing talent needed in the region, and creating an ecosystem for regional development. This year, a total budget of 348.5 billion KRW will be invested in six platforms.

Among the two newly selected regions, Gangwon Province will focus on precision medicine, digital healthcare, and smart hydrogen energy, with participation from 15 universities including Kangwon National University, Yonsei University, and Gangneung-Wonju National University, as well as 60 institutions such as Naver, Douzone Bizon, and the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service.

To cultivate talent equipped with data-based capabilities, the 'Gangwon LRS Shared University Platform' will be established based on a hyper-personalized learning record system (LRS) that visualizes learning experiences such as academic and employment information, and a system supporting AI-based preliminary exploration, diagnosis, employment, start-up, and regional settlement. Programs tailored to different talent types will be operated from elementary and secondary school linked courses (elementary to high school), employment-linked micro-contract major tracks (bachelor’s), to agile labs (for workers).

The multi-platform Daegu-Gyeongbuk region involves 23 universities including Kyungpook National University and Yeungnam University in the fields of electronic information devices and future car transition parts, cooperating with 214 institutions such as LIG Nex1, Hyundai Robotics, Hwashin, and SL.

The 'DGM Shared University' will be established with two convergence majors, each having five tracks specialized by major to induce competition. On-site and shared campuses will be created in areas where companies are concentrated or where resident accessibility is excellent, and considering the regional characteristics of long distances between universities, a meta-campus utilizing expanded virtual spaces will also be built.

To strengthen the competitiveness of local companies lacking technology and capital, universities, companies, and regional innovation institutions will join forces to support the development of challenging technologies and product improvements.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Yoo Eun-hye said, "We hope that the two platforms selected this time will nurture talent in core fields and ultimately contribute to establishing a virtuous cycle that encourages young people to stay in the region."