The Ministry of Education has released the results of the 2026 performance evaluation for 27 models (35 universities) of Specialized Regional Universities (Glocal Universities). As part of this evaluation, the ministry will initiate the process to cancel the designation of the merger model between Chungbuk National University and Korea National University of Transportation. In contrast, Gyeongsang National University, POSTECH, Changwon National University, and Soonchunhyang University received excellent evaluations and will receive additional incentives.
On June 26, the Ministry of Education held a meeting of the 'Specialized Regional University Committee' to review and approve the 2026 performance evaluations for the 27 models (35 universities), which was announced on June 30.
The Specialized Regional University support project selects innovative models designed autonomously by universities and regions, focusing on high innovation and feasibility, and provides concentrated support of 100 billion won over five years.
Based on the results of this performance evaluation, the Ministry of Education will finalize the national funding for this year. Universities rated as excellent (S and A grades) will receive additional funding ranging from 500 million to 2.8 billion won. Conversely, universities with poor performance (C and D grades) will see their funding reduced according to their evaluation grades. Annual evaluations will result in a reduction of more than 15%, while concurrent evaluations will see reductions of over 20%, with larger cuts for lower grades.
According to the ministry's announcement, in the concurrent evaluation for universities selected in 2023, Gyeongsang National University and POSTECH received A grades, marking them as excellent institutions. In the annual evaluation for universities selected in 2024, only Changwon National University and Korea National University of Transportation received S grades. In the evaluation for universities selected in 2025, Soonchunhyang University was recognized with an A grade for rapidly establishing an AI-centered academic innovation and regional cooperation system.
On the other hand, universities that did not meet expectations in implementation rates or quantitative indicators now face significant remedial tasks. Chungbuk National University and Korea National University of Transportation, at a critical juncture for their merger, declared innovation based on their merger but were evaluated as having delayed or inadequately implemented key innovation tasks such as academic and organizational restructuring and campus specialization.
Notably, the merged Chungbuk National University and Korea National University of Transportation, which received the lowest D grade in the concurrent evaluation, will immediately begin the designation cancellation process as they meet the requirement of 'two consecutive D grades' outlined in the "Strengthening Performance Management for Specialized Regional Universities" plan. If the cancellation is finalized, the national funding allocated to this model will be immediately suspended.
National Soonchun University and Hallym University remained at a C grade in the concurrent evaluation. These universities were criticized for their insufficient achievement of key performance indicators promised at the time of their Glocal University designation and for lacking sustainability in their future performance generation.
Universities may file an objection to the evaluation results with the Korea Research Foundation by July 10, and the final evaluation grades will be confirmed based on the review results.
On June 26, the Ministry of Education held a meeting of the 'Specialized Regional University Committee' to review and approve the 2026 performance evaluations for the 27 models (35 universities), which was announced on June 30.
The Specialized Regional University support project selects innovative models designed autonomously by universities and regions, focusing on high innovation and feasibility, and provides concentrated support of 100 billion won over five years.
Based on the results of this performance evaluation, the Ministry of Education will finalize the national funding for this year. Universities rated as excellent (S and A grades) will receive additional funding ranging from 500 million to 2.8 billion won. Conversely, universities with poor performance (C and D grades) will see their funding reduced according to their evaluation grades. Annual evaluations will result in a reduction of more than 15%, while concurrent evaluations will see reductions of over 20%, with larger cuts for lower grades.
According to the ministry's announcement, in the concurrent evaluation for universities selected in 2023, Gyeongsang National University and POSTECH received A grades, marking them as excellent institutions. In the annual evaluation for universities selected in 2024, only Changwon National University and Korea National University of Transportation received S grades. In the evaluation for universities selected in 2025, Soonchunhyang University was recognized with an A grade for rapidly establishing an AI-centered academic innovation and regional cooperation system.
On the other hand, universities that did not meet expectations in implementation rates or quantitative indicators now face significant remedial tasks. Chungbuk National University and Korea National University of Transportation, at a critical juncture for their merger, declared innovation based on their merger but were evaluated as having delayed or inadequately implemented key innovation tasks such as academic and organizational restructuring and campus specialization.
Notably, the merged Chungbuk National University and Korea National University of Transportation, which received the lowest D grade in the concurrent evaluation, will immediately begin the designation cancellation process as they meet the requirement of 'two consecutive D grades' outlined in the "Strengthening Performance Management for Specialized Regional Universities" plan. If the cancellation is finalized, the national funding allocated to this model will be immediately suspended.
National Soonchun University and Hallym University remained at a C grade in the concurrent evaluation. These universities were criticized for their insufficient achievement of key performance indicators promised at the time of their Glocal University designation and for lacking sustainability in their future performance generation.
Universities may file an objection to the evaluation results with the Korea Research Foundation by July 10, and the final evaluation grades will be confirmed based on the review results.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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