Northern Gyeongbuk University Consortium Expands into a 'Global Campus'

Kookmin University Leads Megaversity Global Program
Hands-On Glocal Education Pilot in Canada Through Extracurricular Collaboration

Kookmin University is expanding the horizons of higher education in the northern Gyeongbuk region to the global stage through the 'Megaversity Global Extracurricular Program,' which is based on a consortium of local universities. The glocalization strategy-strengthening competitiveness through alliances and collaboration beyond the limitations of individual institutions-is being recognized for producing tangible results on the ground.

Kookmin University, Magaversity Global Extracurricular Program Operated in Northern Gyeongbuk Region

Kookmin University (President Jung Taejoo) announced that, as part of its Glocal University Initiative, it operated a 'Global Extracurricular Education Program for Sharing and Disseminating Specialized Fields' in collaboration with Cornerstone College from January 8 to 16, a nine-day, seven-night program.

This program is a hands-on educational model that links curricular and extracurricular activities with overseas universities, focusing on verifying and expanding the expertise accumulated in Korea through real-world experiences abroad.

Notably, this initiative is drawing attention as a case that brings the core strategy of glocal universities-the Local Innovation Strategy (LIS)-to life. Five universities in the northern Gyeongbuk Megaversity consortium, including Andong Science College, Andong Catholic Sangji College, Dongyang University, and Gyeongbuk College of Science and Technology, participated to build an integrated education and research platform, aiming to foster talent in specialized regional fields and revitalize the local area at the same time.

The program included 25 students selected from each university. After completing a joint domestic program at the end of December last year, they traveled to Vancouver, Canada, where they are continuing project-based learning and field training with dedicated mentors recommended by Cornerstone College. By carrying out team projects that combine their respective academic strengths, the students are systematically developing their global collaboration and problem-solving skills.

Im Wootaek, Head of the Kookmin University Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation, said, "I hope this program will serve as an opportunity to further advance cooperation between Kookmin University and Cornerstone College," adding, "Universities in northern Gyeongbuk will respond to the crisis of regional decline through alliances, and will build a sustainable international exchange model centered on specialized fields."

This demonstrates that the survival strategy for regional universities lies not in 'scale,' but in 'connection.' By addressing the challenges of global education through alliances and collaboration-something individual universities found difficult to achieve-the northern Gyeongbuk Megaversity model is presenting a new possibility: a 'world-class university rooted in the region.' This attempt, which goes beyond one-off overseas training to joint education and field projects, is drawing attention as a potential turning point that could fundamentally transform the structure of local higher education.