The former Seonam University Namwon Campus, which was closed, is being transformed into the ‘Jeonbuk National University Namwon Glocal Campus.’
Choi Kyung-sik, mayor of Namwon, recently held a press conference and stated, “We welcome Jeonbuk National University’s final selection for the Ministry of Education’s Glocal University 30 project.”
The former Seonam University Namwon Campus, which was closed, is being transformed into the "Jeonbuk National University Namwon Glocal Campus." [Photo by Namwon City]
Namwon City and Jeonbuk National University signed a joint business agreement in March and, after Jeonbuk National University was designated as a preliminary Glocal University 30 candidate in June, they formed a working-level consultative body and signed an implementation agreement, promising administrative and financial support. They have maintained and developed a close communication and cooperative relationship for the mutual growth of the university and the region.
Jeonbuk National University, uniquely among nationwide institutions, proposed a regional revitalization model utilizing a closed local university, gaining significant attention and advancing from preliminary designation in June to full designation.
Jeonbuk National University’s ‘Glocal University 30’ full designation implementation plan includes establishing the Jeonbuk National University Namwon Glocal Campus utilizing the closed Seonam University (KRW 36.6 billion), operating a demand-tailored Korean Language Institute (KRW 12.4 billion), and creating a startup incubator space for Namwon’s specialized industries (pansori, cosmetics, traditional woodenware, drones, etc.) (KRW 11.4 billion).
The Jeonbuk National University Namwon Glocal Campus will establish three new departments?K-Culture, K-Commerce, and K-Science & Technology?that are highly attractive to foreign students, recruiting 100 students per department to attract 1,200 international students. It also plans to provide Korean language education aimed at acquiring employment-related certifications for foreigners (students, industrial workforce, etc.).
Additionally, it will operate a Korean Language Institute to encourage local settlement and create a startup incubator town, establishing a complex startup cluster where companies and research institutes in Namwon’s specialized industries can move in.
With the establishment of the Jeonbuk National University Namwon Glocal Campus, it is expected that the inflow of about 2,000 related population members?including foreign undergraduate students, industrial workforce, and startup resident companies?will revitalize the local economy and increase the resident and living population in the Namwon area.
The establishment of the Jeonbuk National University Namwon Glocal Campus and the attraction of foreign students to the Korean Language Institute are also part of Mayor Choi Kyung-sik’s 8th-term election pledges.
Accordingly, Namwon City plans to complete the purchase of the Seonam University site early next year and establish a basic plan for university cooperation, striving to resolve local community issues together with the university.
Mayor Choi said, “I am pleased to bring good news to citizens who have been suffering from regional stagnation and great loss since the closure of Seonam University,” adding, “The establishment of the Jeonbuk National University Namwon Glocal Campus is expected to revitalize the region through restoring the local ecosystem and attracting young populations.”
Namwon = Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Jeong Young-kwon baekok@asiae.co.kr
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