Regarding the Establishment of Sacheon Aerospace Campus at Changwon National University
Gyeongsang National University Responds: Professors Reluctant to Move to Sacheon
Negative Responses: Difficulty in Student Recruitment, Challenges Reported
Sacheon City in Gyeongnam clarified its position regarding the Gyeongsang National University Faculty Council's "Statement Opposing the Establishment of the Changwon University Sacheon Aerospace Campus," stating that the campus is not being established by excluding Gyeongsang National University.
According to the city on the 24th, as the largest hub of the domestic aerospace industry, Sacheon has proposed several times over the years to Gyeongsang National University to attract an aerospace-related engineering college for nurturing talent, but did not receive a positive response.
During an expanded executive meeting on September 13, 2022, Mayor Park Dongsik of the 8th popularly elected administration instructed the attraction of the Gyeongsang National University College of Engineering or an aviation-related department or campus.
Two days later, on September 15, 2022, the city held a meeting with professors from Gyeongsang National University. Although there was agreement on the necessity of establishing a campus, the response was that it would be realistically difficult.
At another meeting on September 16, 2022, with the Director of Planning at Gyeongsang National University, the response was again negative: "We agree with the mid-to-long term comprehensive strategy and the purpose of establishment, but professors do not want to come to Sacheon, it is difficult to recruit students, and it is challenging."
In response, Mayor Park Dongsik directly proposed the establishment of an aerospace-related college to President Kwon Soonki of Gyeongsang National University during discussions on the Gyeongsang National University Glocal University project. However, the negative opinion that "it is difficult due to opposition from professors and system issues" was reaffirmed.
Sacheon City also visited Hanseo University and Kyungnam University in August and October 2023, respectively, to propose the establishment of an aerospace campus in Sacheon, but also received negative responses.
Undeterred, Mayor Park identified the establishment of a national aerospace engineering university linked to the Korea Aerospace Administration as a key project and requested that candidates for the 22nd National Assembly election in Sacheon, Namhae, and Hadong include it in their pledges.
On March 20 of this year, President Park Minwon of Changwon National University proposed the establishment of the Sacheon Aerospace Campus, and Mayor Park visited Changwon National University to reach an agreement on its establishment.
Subsequently, at a faculty meeting on April 26, Changwon National University confirmed the creation of a new Department of Aerospace Engineering and allocated an enrollment quota of 15 students, accelerating the process of establishing the Sacheon Aerospace Campus.
Sacheon City and Changwon National University signed a memorandum of understanding for the establishment of the Sacheon Aerospace Campus on June 17, and agreed to open a temporary campus in Sacheon in March 2025. The main campus is scheduled to be completed in Tongyang-ri, Yonghyeon-myeon, Sacheon by December 2027.
The city also refuted the claims of the Gyeongsang National University Faculty Council.
The Sacheon Aerospace Campus of Changwon National University is being promoted in accordance with the government's space economy roadmap, and the city's position is that it is difficult to agree with the Faculty Council's claim of excessive and redundant investment.
The aim is to establish a virtuous cycle model where local universities nurture local talent and help them find employment in local companies, thereby encouraging them to settle in the region. Sacheon City claims this is the key measure to overcome the crisis of regional extinction.
The city is modeling itself after Toulouse, the world's leading aerospace city in France. Toulouse has four comprehensive universities, ten engineering colleges, and as many as 110,000 students.
According to the Korea Research Institute for Vocational Education and Training, about 3,300 space-related personnel will be needed by companies and research institutes from 2023 to 2027, but the supply is expected to be only 1,800, resulting in a shortage of about 1,500 personnel.
According to the Space Technology Promotion Association, as of 2022, 81% of research institute personnel and 94% of corporate personnel come from non-space-related degree programs.
The key to the national roadmap for becoming a global space powerhouse is to foster highly skilled personnel suitable for the new space era led by the private sector, but the current domestic supply of talent is severely insufficient.
A city official stated, "In October 2023, we signed an agreement with Gyeongsang National University and plan to provide 5 billion won in support over five years for the Glocal University project. Starting in the second half of 2024, 20 master's students in the Department of Technology Management and Convergence will receive education at the Sacheon GNU Science Park."
He added, "Sacheon City is prepared to cooperate not only with Gyeongsang National University and Changwon National University, but also with any university, company, or research institute in nurturing advanced aerospace talent."
He also emphasized, "The Sacheon Aerospace Campus of Changwon National University is the starting point for nurturing advanced talent and will be promoted according to Sacheon City's aerospace roadmap, with the goal of opening in March 2025."
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