Various Questions Raised on University Issues and the Social Environment Surrounding Higher Education
At Gyeongsang National University, a 'Townhall Meeting between the President and University Members' was held at the Book Square in the library on the Gajwa Campus to mark the first anniversary of President Jinhee Kwon's inauguration. During the event, professors, staff, and students actively posed questions to the university leadership.
The event, organized by the Office of Academic Affairs at Gyeongsang National University, served as a platform to share the university's vision for future development, updates on major initiatives such as the Glocal University Project and the RISE Project, as well as the achievements from President Kwon's first year in office. It was also an opportunity to directly hear a wide range of opinions from university members.
According to the Office of Academic Affairs, which collected questions from members in advance, many inquiries focused on university issues and the broader social environment surrounding higher education. These included: the university's response to the new government's 'Establishing 10 Seoul National Universities' policy, measures to address student dropout rates, plans to cope with declining freshman enrollment, and strategies to ensure a safe campus environment.
Group photo of Gyeongsang National University President Jinhee Kwon's 1st anniversary 'Townhall Meeting'.
President Jinhee Kwon stated, "Over the past year, we have implemented a variety of innovations, including creating a vibrant campus, pursuing performance-based internal management, strengthening research support, and promoting mutual growth with the local community. This townhall meeting is a meaningful occasion to share these achievements with our members and to gather collective intelligence for future progress," as she continued to respond to the questions raised.
President Kwon emphasized, "We have achieved top results in both national projects: the Glocal University Project and the RISE Project. As a result, Gyeongsang National University has secured a three-pronged foundation of education, research, and industry-academia innovation." She added, "We have also made remarkable achievements in our specialized fields?such as aerospace, life sciences, and nano-new materials and chemistry?by being selected for three additional 4th phase BK21 project groups and ranking third in the Innovative Talent Development Project."
Regarding the new government's 'Establishing 10 Seoul National Universities' initiative, President Kwon said, "Our university is the visible model for the '10 Seoul National Universities' currently under discussion. We are operating a joint curriculum in aerospace with Seoul National University and are working toward establishing a joint degree program." She continued, "It appears that the government intends to designate specialized fields for each regional national university and elevate them to the level of Seoul National University. For us, who are already achieving significant results, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
On the topics of measures to reduce student dropout rates and securing freshman enrollment, she stated, "Students must want to come to our university and want to stay. The most important factor for this is the employment rate. That is why we created a career and employment counseling booth on the first floor of the library." She added, "We will continue to expand counseling facilities, establish pedestrian-friendly campus transportation, and create undergraduate programs exclusively for international students, making our university more student-centered."
She further emphasized, "I want to enhance cultural content such as attractions and entertainment for students, transforming the Gajwa Campus area into a vibrant street full of youth and culture. We plan to turn Gajwacheon into a cultural space similar to Cheonggyecheon in Seoul and develop the first-floor piloti space of the library into a permanent exhibition and performance venue. The Hanok cafe utilizing the Etiquette Education Center is also part of this policy."
She also stated, "To enter the top 100 in the QS World University Rankings, we are preparing measures such as strengthening promotion requirements for professors, significantly increasing incentives, expanding research funding, introducing a performance-based bonus system, and enhancing the paper encouragement system." She continued, "2025 will be the inaugural year of innovation to enter the world's top 100 universities. The participation and support of our members are the driving force of our future. We will certainly realize a university where research-active professors are recognized." President Jinhee Kwon added that the university will systematically manage various evaluation indicators for the QS World University Rankings and asked to be called by her pen name, 'Jipyo,' which means 'indicator.'
President Jinhee Kwon also said, "We are pursuing multifaceted strategies to improve internationalization indicators. We will establish the Global Interdisciplinary Studies Department in 2026, introduce the Grande Ecole model for the College of Aerospace, and expand dual degree programs in aerospace with world-renowned universities." She added, "We will also strongly promote the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in administration and research, expand AI education for members, and transform the Chilam Campus into an industry-academia cooperation hub."
Meanwhile, in the first part of the townhall meeting, Baesang Hoon, Dean of Academic Affairs at Sungkyunkwan University, delivered a special lecture titled 'Changes in the Higher Education Environment and University Challenges?Implications for Glocal University 30.' Dean Baesang Hoon provided deep insights to Gyeongsang National University members by analyzing current issues in university education and offering expert solutions to address them.
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