Busan's Talent Outflow, No More... Five Glocal Universities Sign Agreement for Talent Development and Educational Innovation

Declaration of a United Vision for Regional Innovation and Strengthening Global Competitiveness

An educational innovation project has been launched in Busan to prevent the outflow of local talent, which has been described as "leaving Busan after high school graduation" and "leaving Busan after university graduation." Five glocal universities in the Busan area, selected for the Ministry of Education's Glocal University 30 initiative, have established a collaborative system.

At 11 a.m. on October 15, the "Busan Glocal University Cooperative Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)" was signed at the Busan Lotte Hotel. Five universities-Pusan National University, Pusan National University of Education, Dong-A University, Dongseo University, and Kyungsung University-participated in the agreement.

This agreement serves as a public declaration of the commitment of Busan-area universities selected for the Ministry of Education's "Glocal University 30" project to cooperate in becoming innovative hubs connecting the region and the world.

The glocal universities in Busan were selected in the following order: Pusan National University and Pusan National University of Education (2023), Dong-A University and Dongseo University (2024), and Kyungsung University (2024).

Jang Jeguk, President of Dongseo University (from left), Lee Haewoo, President of Dong-A University, Choi Jaewon, President of Pusan National University, Park Suja, President of Pusan National University of Education, and Lee Jonggeun, President of Kyungsung University, are showing the signed agreement documents respectively.

Through this agreement, the five universities will cooperate in the following areas: spreading the glocal innovation model throughout the region, fostering local talent who will remain in the area, revitalizing the local-government-industry-academia cooperation system, carrying out international joint projects, and co-hosting innovation achievement presentations.

Choi Jaewon, President of Pusan National University, stated, "This agreement will become a key pillar for the development of the greater southeastern region, going beyond cooperation among universities to closely connect education, industry, and society in the area. By combining our strengths, I hope we can create synergy and achieve a new leap forward that meets the expectations of the local community."

Park Suja, President of Pusan National University of Education, said, "Through the integration model with Pusan National University, we are concentrating teacher training functions at the Yeonje Campus and establishing a future-oriented teacher training model. We will work to develop the campus as a hub for educational innovation cooperation so that Busan can grow into a center of educational innovation."

Lee Haewoo, President of Dong-A University, remarked, "Although each university's innovation model is different, our shared goal is 'co-growth with Busan.' By combining the strengths of the five universities, we will create regional glocal synergy and fully establish a cooperative system that enables the region and universities to grow together."

Jang Jeguk, President of Dongseo University, commented, "Through this agreement, I hope each university will share its achievements and contribute to enhancing Busan's educational competitiveness. We will actively participate in the flow of innovation by presenting a new arts education model in the field of cultural content."

Lee Jonggeun, President of Kyungsung University, emphasized, "Kyungsung University is a university specialized in K-culture, and we are pursuing a model that connects education and industry as a single stream, focusing on four pillars: film, performance, games, and the arts, in connection with Busan's strengths. We will ensure that local youth can achieve a virtuous cycle in education, creation, and the industrial field."

With this agreement, Busan becomes the first region in the country to fully implement a cooperative model among local glocal universities.

President Jang Jeguk stressed, "We will seek solutions to the question of why local talent is leaving this beautiful city. The five glocal universities, as well as other universities in Busan, will work closely together to achieve a major innovation in higher education."