Visits to Suncheon National University, Suncheon Jeil University, and Cheongam University
The Planning and Administration Committee of the Jeonnam Provincial Council has begun on-site inspections in earnest to establish a win-win cooperation model between local universities and the community.
The committee announced on July 15 that, over the two days of July 10 and 11, it visited Suncheon National University, Suncheon Jeil University, and Cheongam University in sequence to inspect the operational status of universities in the eastern region and to focus on discussions regarding the cultivation of young talent and measures to strengthen local settlement conditions.
The Planning and Administration Committee of the Jeonnam Provincial Council visited universities in the eastern region of Jeonnam to establish a win-win cooperation model between local universities and the community. Photo by Jeonnam Provincial Council
This on-site activity was carried out with the aim of preparing institutional and policy responses so that local universities can become central pillars of regional recovery in the face of structural crises confronting local areas, such as the outflow of young people, industrial decline, and a decrease in the school-age population.
On the first day, the committee members visited Suncheon National University, where they were briefed on the progress of the Glocal University 30 project and the Regional Innovation-led University Support System (RISE) project. They also inspected specialized curricula tailored to strategic local industries such as green smart farms, animation, and aerospace. In particular, they visited the Joint Experimental Practice Center to directly review the latest educational infrastructure, including simulators, and the operation of field-oriented training programs. The committee also focused on discussing measures to create youth jobs in the region and to expand the foundation for educational autonomy.
On the second day, the committee members visited Suncheon Jeil University, where they were briefed on the status of nurturing AI-based smart manufacturing innovation leaders and the operation of the Lifelong Education Hub Center. They paid particular attention to the industry-oriented educational system of the vocational college and the achievements of industry-academia cooperation. The committee members emphasized, "Vocational colleges serve as hubs for cultivating field-ready talent directly connected to local industries such as agri-food, tourism, and small and medium-sized enterprises," and stressed, "The Jeonnam-style industrial education model needs to be further expanded."
At Cheongam University, the final stop, the committee inspected the operation of specialized departments in health, welfare, and wellness, and reviewed the educational models centered on healing and recovery, as well as the university's contributions to the local community. The committee members stated, "Cheongam University is a community-based university that has consistently cultivated practical talent, especially in nursing and health-related fields," and emphasized, "Policy support for vocational colleges is urgently needed, as they have contributed to improving quality of life and local settlement conditions."
The Planning and Administration Committee stated that this on-site activity reaffirmed the need for institutional support to drive innovation in local universities and to create a mutually beneficial ecosystem for the region.
Chairperson Kang Moonseong said, "With the understanding that there can be no local community without local universities, the provincial council will actively work to lay the foundation for the sustainable development of local universities," and added, "We will create an environment where universities, local governments, and industries can collaborate organically so that young people can settle in the region and plan for their futures."
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