3rd Anniversary of Inauguration...
"Building a Model for Co-Growth with the Local Community"
Joohee Lee, President of Dongshin University.
Joohee Lee, President of Dongshin University, marked the third anniversary of her inauguration on July 15, stating, "We will do our utmost to secure the final designation for the Glocal University 30 project, and through the successful implementation of the RISE project, we aim to create an innovative model for the co-growth of the university and the local community."
President Lee reflected, "Over the past three years, I have worked hard to create a university where students are happy and a shared university that coexists with the local community." She added, "By consolidating the university's capabilities for the final selection as a Glocal University, I hope to establish a new foundation for Dongshin University's leap forward and to invigorate the local community."
President Lee, who has emphasized her commitment to helping students discover the joys of university life and academic pursuits during their studies, and to secure good jobs and lead happy lives after graduation, has focused on nurturing outstanding talent by improving the educational environment, strengthening practical curricula, and offering 140 extracurricular programs to enhance glocal competencies.
Under the slogan "Changing the world with good-hearted talent," the university has strengthened character education to foster "TOGETHER-type talent" who possess both competence and character. The university has also continuously held meetings with outstanding students from each department to motivate them, while actively reflecting student needs to bring vitality to the university community.
The results of these dedicated educational efforts have led to a high employment rate. Dongshin University achieved an employment rate of 69.2%, ranking 17th nationwide among universities with over 1,500 graduates, and maintaining the top position in Gwangju and Jeonnam for seven consecutive years.
President Lee has also actively participated in addressing local issues and fulfilled the role of a think tank for the local community to realize the vision of a "shared university that coexists with the region." The university has focused on nurturing three specialized fields?energy new industries, bio-healthcare, and cultural tourism content?as research bases to drive regional industrial development.
The university has taken the lead in strengthening local expertise by operating the Bitgaram Advanced Policy Program for energy new industry development, launching the first and only Women's Leadership Advanced Program in Jeonnam, and running the Jeonnam Provincial Council Legislative Academy.
Additionally, the university has made a significant impact by preparing for the future with local residents through the "NEXT Jeonnam-Naju Imagination Forum," sharing achievements in future new industry technologies and university education with the community through "Dongshin EXPO," and holding specialized forums to discuss regional co-prosperity strategies. The university has also revamped its lifelong education curriculum to provide new opportunities for local residents, operates English camps for Naju youth, and runs Dongshin Korean Language Didim School to support settlement for multicultural families, establishing itself as an educational institution for the local community.
Even before her inauguration, President Lee led various national government-supported projects at Dongshin University, achieving remarkable results. After taking office, she has demonstrated outstanding leadership to ensure that national projects serve as catalysts for enhancing university competitiveness and student capabilities.
The university has faithfully carried out large, medium, and small projects to realize GRAND Jeonnam by establishing the RISE system in cooperation with Jeonnam Province. Earlier this year, the university, in alliance with Chodang University and Mokpo Science University, received preliminary designation for the Ministry of Education's Glocal University 30 project and is now focusing on securing the final designation.
The Dongshin University Alliance plans to establish a "regional public-type small but strong alliance university (UCC)" and create a carbon-neutral smart cluster to inject new vitality into Jeonnam's industries.
Through the UCC I-N-G Campus, the university aims to cultivate field-oriented talent, revitalize the basic industries of local governments, and provide a foundation for future industrial development, attracting significant attention.
President Lee is not only achieving selection for national university support projects but also solidifying the foundation for the university's development through systematic project implementation. The university has received an A grade in the Regional University Revitalization Project evaluation, the highest rating for the University Job Plus Center for nine consecutive years, the top S grade for the Makerspace Project Group for three consecutive years, selection for the 2025 Collaborative Makerspace Project, as well as selection for the Blue Ladder Type 1 and 2 projects and the Korea-Japan University Student Exchange Program.
The university has also firmly established global competencies befitting a Glocal University. As of March this year, the number of international students at Dongshin University surpassed 1,700, and the university has been selected as a Ministry of Education-certified institution for internationalization competency for five consecutive years.
President Lee stated, "During the remainder of my term, I want to secure the final designation for the Glocal University 30 project and repay the support of the local community and university members." She added, "Together with local governments and industry, I will do my best to establish a virtuous cycle in which local talent settles in the region and drives industrial development, thereby creating a model for the co-growth of the university and the local community."
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