Suncheon City Establishes Advanced Model for Region-Specialized Vocational Education

Suncheon Jeil University Restructures Department of Energy Materials and Chemical Engineering
Cheongam University Establishes Department of Companion Animal Health

Suncheon City, Jeollanam-do (Mayor Noh Gwan-gyu) announced that the 'Higher Vocational Education Base District (HiVE) Project,' jointly organized by the city and Suncheon Jeil University with participation from Cheongam University, has been successfully completed.

This project was a Ministry of Education public offering, with a total budget of 4 billion KRW invested over two years from March 2023 to establish a customized vocational education system tailored to Suncheon’s specialized fields.

Suncheon City signed a business agreement last October with Cheongam College's Companion Animal Health Department and Chonbuk National University College of Veterinary Medicine to train specialized personnel for companion animals. Provided by Suncheon City

The city collaborated with local colleges to nurture talent in specialized fields, focusing on supporting ▲ operation of specialized industry education programs and talent development ▲ expansion of lifelong vocational education for local residents ▲ promotion of community contribution initiatives.

Suncheon City and the two universities selected energy materials and the companion animal industry as regional specialized fields, and are nurturing local talent through restructuring and establishment of related departments.

Suncheon Jeil University expanded the enrollment quota for the Department of Energy Materials and Chemical Engineering from 45 to 65 students and established an education system to facilitate employment at local companies such as Yulchon Industrial Complex.

Through these efforts, the university is nurturing talent in the future energy and advanced materials industries.

Additionally, Cheongam University, in line with Suncheon City’s initiative to create a pet-friendly city, established the Department of Companion Animal Health, operating hands-on training programs at animal hospitals and specialized courses to train companion animal health professionals.

This project provided a variety of vocational education programs not only for university students but also for employees of local industries, job seekers, and the general public.

Specialized field education included programs to foster energy material masters and companion animal experts, offering participants opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship. Furthermore, 951 people completed 31 lifelong vocational education programs designed for the general public, receiving enthusiastic responses.

Alongside programs for higher vocational education, community contribution initiatives were also promoted.

Each university implemented safety VR/AR experiential education, local settlement programs for foreign workers, community-linked volunteer work, child safety and care, comprehensive senior care, and the Suncheon Global Webtoon-Animation Campus education project, providing tangible benefits to over 1,400 local residents.

By operating programs that reflect local demand, a sustainable education system has been established for the joint growth of universities and local residents.

A city official stated, “This project broke down barriers between universities and jointly addressed tasks for regional development, presenting a new model for regional-university win-win cooperation. We will continue to support the creation of a virtuous cycle of 'talent development-employment/entrepreneurship-settlement' in collaboration with local universities and businesses.”

Meanwhile, based on the achievements of this project, the city plans to continue promoting initiatives to nurture specialized talent and advance lifelong vocational education in connection with the Regional Innovation-led University Support System (RISE) being implemented from this year.