The Crisis of Universities Does Not End With Closure
Expectations for the Passage of the "Private University Structural Improvement Act"
Lee Ju-ho, Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs and Minister of Education, emphasized the innovation and structural improvement of private universities.
On the 6th, Deputy Prime Minister Lee visited the Korea Private School Promotion Foundation and held a meeting. This visit was arranged to discuss bold innovation and structural improvement strategies for private universities, as well as the redefinition of the foundation's functions, amid the deepening crisis of private universities due to the declining school-age population.
Deputy Prime Minister Lee stated, "As the school-age population decreases, the number of admissions resources is shrinking, and the financial condition of universities is continuously deteriorating, with an increasing number of universities facing existential crossroads. The crisis of universities does not end with the closure of a single university. Since universities serve as a bastion preventing the outflow of young people from the region and are centers of regional innovation and culture, if universities become desolate, the region inevitably loses vitality."
He also said, "The Ministry of Education is implementing policies such as the abolition of university regulations, the Glocal University 30 Project, and the introduction of the RISE system to promote university reform tasks. Along with this, bold structural improvement support is also necessary for marginal universities that find it difficult to perform their functions as universities."
Deputy Prime Minister Lee added, "A consensus on the enactment of the Private University Structural Improvement Act has been formed and discussions have progressed in the 22nd National Assembly. It is expected to be passed soon."
The Private University Structural Improvement Act is a bill designed to rescue private universities and school corporations facing crises due to the declining school-age population and to strengthen competitiveness through systematic management and support. It includes provisions on structural improvement measures for universities in financial crisis, special regulations related to closures and dissolutions, and protection of students and faculty members.
Deputy Prime Minister Lee said, "Preparations for the enactment of subordinate laws such as enforcement decrees following the legislation are also in the final stages," adding, "In preparation for the full-scale structural improvement of private universities in the future, the foundation must boldly go beyond its existing role and leap forward as a specialized institution supporting university management innovation and structural improvement."
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