Chonnam National University and Chosun University Join Glocal University Project... First Achievement for Gwangju Region

Chonnam National University to Expand AI-Converged Education and Research Across All Fields
Chosun University to Foster Well-Aging Specialists and Strengthen Integration Model
Up to 150 Billion Won in Support Over Five Years... Expectations for Regional Balance

Chonnam National University and Chosun University (including Chosun Nursing College) have been officially selected for the Ministry of Education's Glocal University 30 Project. In Gwangju and South Jeolla Province, a total of five universities are now included in the project, following the earlier selection of Mokpo National University, Sunchon National University, and Gwangju Health University.

From the left, the main gate of Chonnam National University and the view of Chosun University. Both universities were finally selected for the Ministry of Education's Glocal University 30 Project.

On the 28th, the Ministry of Education announced, "We have newly designated seven models (nine universities), including the Chonnam National University and Chosun University-Chosun Nursing College alliance, as part of the main selection for the Glocal University 30 Project, which aims to foster non-metropolitan universities as innovation hubs."

The Glocal University 30 Project is a government-supported initiative introduced to address the concentration of resources in the Seoul metropolitan area and the risk of regional decline. If universities, local governments, and industries jointly implement innovation models, the government will provide up to 100 billion won over five years (or up to 150 billion won for integrated models), along with special regulatory exemptions. Since its launch in 2023, a total of 27 models (39 universities) have been designated, including the latest selections.

In Gwangju and South Jeolla Province, Mokpo National University, Sunchon National University, and Gwangju Health University (in alliance with health universities in other regions) had already been chosen, and now Chonnam National University and Chosun University have been added. With three national universities and two private universities included, five institutions in the region will be participating in the project.

Chonnam National University has presented a plan to expand its experience operating an AI Convergence College throughout the entire university. Key initiatives include introducing AI liberal arts courses for all students, establishing new modular humanities and technology convergence curricula, operating integrated bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs, hiring 50 new full-time AI faculty members, and admitting all new students without assigning them to a specific major.

Chosun University has set forth the vision of becoming "Asia's No. 1 University for Well-Aging." Its goals include training 10,000 well-aging specialists, attracting 200 startups and companies, and securing 5,000 international students. Based on its integration with Chosun Nursing College, the university aims to strengthen specialization in the bio, life science, and health sectors.

Mokpo National University, previously selected, has set its vision to become a hub for the green marine industry and youth-centered culture, arts, and entrepreneurship, and has restructured its academic system while integrating with Jeonnam Provincial College. Sunchon National University has transitioned its colleges into specialized school systems and is working to establish a campus that connects local industries, academia, and research in the eastern region. Gwangju Health University, in alliance with Daejeon Health University and Daegu Health University, aims to train specialized healthcare professionals.

On the other hand, the regional private university alliance model, which included Dongshin University, Chodang University, and Mokpo Science University, was not selected in this third round of main designations.