[Exclusive] Jeju National University Announces Abandonment of Lifelong Education... Staff Protest

Future Convergence College Budget Excluded from RISE Project
University Headquarters: Faculty Contracts to Be Terminated Without Personnel Expenses
Vice President: "Special Lecturers Will Be Hired for Current Students' Education"

Front view of the main gate of Jeju National University. Photo by Park Changwon

Jeju National University is facing strong criticism and backlash from current students after excluding the Future Convergence College, which had been operated as part of its lifelong education program, from its new business plan and notifying related faculty and staff that their contracts would be terminated if there is no budget, effectively abandoning lifelong education.

The Future Convergence College at Jeju National University was selected for the “University Lifelong Education College Support Project” in 2016 and has operated four departments since 2017, producing five graduating classes up to the 2025 academic year.

The majority of students are adults seeking to fulfill their dream of graduating from university, and as a regional hub university offering a national university bachelor’s degree, it has been a popular educational program in the region.

However, starting this year, as multiple university financial support projects were integrated into the “Regional Innovation-centered University Support System (RISE),” it has been reported that the budget and business plan for the Future Convergence College were excluded within Jeju National University.

Jeju National University notified current faculty and staff at the Future Convergence College that if there is no budget allocated for personnel expenses, their contracts would be terminated as of May 31.

In response, the Future Convergence College at Jeju National University criticized, “Despite being established through discussion and agreement among university members in 2016, the university headquarters, including the current president, has unilaterally decided to abolish the Future Convergence College, effectively abandoning regional lifelong education.”

Faculty and staff at the Future Convergence College are also strongly opposing the decision. Those notified of contract termination claim, “We have submitted the business plan to the university headquarters several times in advance and requested that it be reflected.”

Faculty and staff are also concerned about the infringement of current students’ right to education. They expressed, “There are four grades currently enrolled, but with all faculty and staff being dismissed, how can proper education be provided?” and added, “We cannot understand the decision to suddenly abolish a well-functioning lifelong education program.”

Regarding this, the vice president of Jeju National University, who also serves as the dean of the Future Convergence College, reportedly stated during a meeting with faculty and staff on the 2nd, “The university headquarters will take responsibility for the education of current students. We will hire part-time lecturers, online instructors, and special lecturers to ensure the education of enrolled students is completed.”

Upon hearing of these developments, the Future Convergence College student council stated, “We will discuss with students how to respond in the future,” and added, “For now, we will seek a meeting with the president to confirm the facts.”

Meanwhile, in an attempt to hear the university’s position, several calls were made to the office and mobile phone of the professor known to be the general manager of the current “Regional Innovation-centered University Support System (RISE)” plan, but there was no response.