GIST Ranks Last in Budget and Education Expenses Among the Four Major Science and Technology Institutes

The Only Government Budget Cut This Year
Concerns Over Research Reduction and Talent Drain
Joincheol “Stable Budget Securing Needed”

Assemblyman Join Chul

There is growing controversy as claims have emerged that the budget for Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST, GIST) is the only one among the four major science and technology institutes to be cut this year. Both the annual budget and the education cost per student remain at the lowest levels nationwide, causing GIST's status to rapidly decline.

On the 19th, Jo In-cheol, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea representing Gwangju Seo-gu Gap, analyzed data submitted by the Ministry of Science and ICT and disclosures from the University Alimi for the four domestic science and technology institutes (KAIST, GIST, DGIST, UNIST). The analysis showed that while the average budget for the four major science and technology institutes increased this year, only GIST's budget was cut. Despite a significant decrease in this year's R&D budget, the total budget for the four institutes increased by 1.3%. However, GIST alone saw a 6.2% decrease.

The "education cost per student" also ranked third among the four, raising concerns about the decline in education quality. The education cost per student at the four major science and technology institutes was highest at DGIST with 99,874,900 KRW, followed by KAIST at 99,738,300 KRW, GIST at 92,229,700 KRW, and UNIST at 84,719,500 KRW.

On the 17th, at a national audit held at KAIST in Daejeon, Representative Jo raised the issue of GIST's budget cuts. He said, "Looking at the Ministry of Science and ICT's budget, it seems they recognize the importance of the four major science and technology institutes," adding, "From 2023, when reviewing the budget for the following year, even during the period when the 2024 R&D budget was cut, the overall budget for the institutes increased by 1.3%, and next year's budget is expected to increase by about 11%." He pointed out, "However, this year, only GIST's budget was cut by 6.2%. Although the 2025 budget has slightly increased, it is only at the level of recovering the 2023 budget." In response, GIST President Lim Ki-chul acknowledged, "It is the lowest budget level among the four major science and technology institutes."

Representative Jo continued, "Not only the budget but also the 'education cost per student' among the four institutes shows disparities. Except for UNIST, GIST ranks last. UNIST's situation is unique, but GIST's budget is reduced, education cost is low, and its government funding level is also the lowest," emphasizing, "Since the four major science and technology institutes are institutions for nurturing talent, stable funding must be secured as a basic requirement." In response to these concerns, Lee Chang-yoon, the first vice minister of the Ministry of Science and ICT, stated, "We will carefully ensure that academic project funds are reflected in a balanced manner across the four major science and technology institutes without disparities."

Meanwhile, as news of the budget cuts for GIST spreads, concerns in the local community are growing. Many research projects, which are mostly operated based on government support, may face disruptions or risk being halted. In particular, voices are emerging about a decline in competitiveness due to insufficient necessary funding for international joint research and large-scale projects.

A researcher at GIST said, "If government budget cuts continue, not only will research activities shrink, but we will inevitably fall behind in international competitiveness," adding, "If GIST faces difficulties, it will also have a significant impact on the economic and industrial growth engines of the Gwangju and Jeonnam regions."

Representative Jo emphasized, "GIST must have faced financial difficulties in areas such as research support, infrastructure expansion, and student scholarships," adding, "Since the science and technology institutes are linked to the regional economy and industry and are institutions that nurture talent, securing a stable budget is absolutely necessary."