Essential to Nurture Professional Talent Through Collaboration Between Regional Universities, Colleges, and Companies
The Last Lifeline for Korea's Survival and the Core of Balanced Development
Kim Gyeongsu, Chairman of the Presidential Committee for the Local Era, emphasized on the 14th that "the core of the government's most important task, the '5 Poles 3 Special Zones' (development of five major mega-regions and three major special self-governing provinces), is to ensure that companies and universities work together, centering on key regional universities, to create jobs and establish growth hubs."
On his first official visit to Daegu since taking office, Chairman Kim made these remarks in an interview with The Asia Business Daily ahead of the "Talk Concert" organized by Kyungpook National University.
Gyeongsu Kim, Chairman of the Local Autonomy Committee (second from left), is touring the Kyungpook National University Central Library under the theme "A Space Where Students' Dreams Grow." Photo by Choi Daeok
At the event, he stated, "If the regions do not thrive, the Republic of Korea as a whole will inevitably decline. Up to now, policies implemented at the provincial level have reached their limits." He further explained, "The essence of the '5 Poles 3 Special Zones' strategy is to establish economic and living zones by region, with companies and universities at the center." He also pointed out the ongoing concentration of population and opportunities in the Seoul metropolitan area.
He continued, "By reviewing the research achievements of Kyungpook National University and examining the virtuous cycle model for balanced regional development-focusing on industry, talent, and quality of life-currently being promoted by the Daegu Digital Innovation Promotion Agency, an affiliate of the Daegu City Office for Future Innovation and Growth, I aim to have discussions with Kyungpook National University and Daegu City." He explained this as the reason for his visit to Daegu.
He added, "Until now, most employment opportunities-about 66,000 jobs each year-have been concentrated in Seoul and the metropolitan area. Today's talk concert is a platform for dialogue and communication with university students, aimed at transforming the region into a place where young people can settle, stay, and even return." He reiterated, "The cultivation of regionally focused professionals at major local universities-including not only Kyungpook National University but also Keimyung University, Yeungnam University, Daegu University, Daegu Catholic University, and Kyungil University, as well as various four-year comprehensive and specialized colleges-is not simply an act of consideration for the region. It is the last lifeline for the survival of the Republic of Korea and the core of balanced regional development."
On this day, Chairman Kim completed his schedule with a series of events: a meeting and university strategy presentation hosted by the president of Kyungpook National University, a visit to the semiconductor convergence research site, a tour of the robotics specialized education and training center, and the talk concert. He also visited the Suseong Alpha City on-site campus (AI+X industry-academia-research cluster operation model) organized by Daegu City, participated in a regional industry-academia-research roundtable, and concluded with a dinner.
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