Gwangju to Invest 470 Billion Won in Chonnam National University and Chosun University Through Glocal University 30 Project

Additional 220 Billion Won in City Funding on Top of 250 Billion Won in National Support
University Innovation Initiatives Including AI Research and "Well-Aging Valley"
Laying the Foundation for Youth Employment and Development of Nine Key Strategic Industries

The city of Gwangju announced on September 28 that, following the final selection of Chonnam National University and Chosun University (including Chosun Nursing College) for the Ministry of Education's Glocal University 30 Project, it will provide a total of 470 billion won in support over the next five years. This plan includes 250 billion won in national funding and an additional 220 billion won from the city budget, aiming to drive innovation at local universities and create jobs for young people.

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.

The Glocal University 30 Project is an initiative designed to foster the joint growth of local communities and universities by providing more than 100 billion won to each selected university, thereby building a collaborative ecosystem among local governments, industries, academia, and research institutes. Chonnam National University and Chosun University were not selected in the first and second rounds of applications, but ultimately joined the project through this additional selection.

The city of Gwangju will provide 120 billion won in city funding to Chonnam National University, and 100 billion won to Chosun University and Chosun Nursing College. Chonnam National University will establish a collaborative model for research and innovation in artificial intelligence (AI), while Chosun University will promote the creation of a "Well-Aging Valley" based on Gwangju's four major special zones (research and development, opportunity advancement, educational development, and culture and arts). The funding will also be used to foster nine key strategic industries, including education, research and development (R&D), job creation and entrepreneurship opportunities for young people, and tuition support for master's and doctoral programs in the AI sector.

The city stated that, having established a dedicated task force last year to support the universities' selection, it will continue to enhance project implementation by building governance structures, identifying regulatory improvement tasks, and linking with the Regional Innovation-led University Support System (RISE).

Mayor Kang Gijung said, "The selection for the Glocal University Project is not only a major achievement for the universities, but also an opportunity for Gwangju's youth and industries to leap forward. We will invest 470 billion won in the universities over the next five years to establish community-based education, create quality jobs, and make Gwangju a city where young people choose to stay."