The hopes of local residents for a new national medical school in Jeonnam, based on the merger of Mokpo University and Suncheon University, have effectively collapsed. The deadline for submitting a proposal to the Ministry of Education was set for the 20th, but the two universities failed to create a unified plan. Notably, both institutions are now insisting on establishing their own medical schools separately. The Jeonnam Gwangju Special City has announced it will discuss follow-up measures with the government. This development marks a new phase in the ongoing issue of establishing a medical school in Jeonnam.
According to the Jeonnam Gwangju Integrated Special City and the two universities, the Ministry of Education requested a plan for the establishment of a regional medical school by the 20th, contingent upon the merger of the two universities.
Mokpo University and Suncheon University needed to apply as a single entity for their proposal to be considered. However, the universities repeatedly asserted their own positions regarding the medical school and university hospital, ultimately failing to reach an agreement.
Recently, Mokpo University submitted relevant documents to the Gwangju Special City, including the necessity for a new medical school, proposed enrollment numbers, and local government support plans as requested. Suncheon University submitted its documents in accordance with the Ministry of Education's format, detailing the location of the medical school and university hospital.
The special city returned the submissions, stating they were not based on a consensus between the two universities. Without an agreement, it appears unlikely that either university can pursue its own path effectively.
Min Hyung-bae, the mayor of Gwangju Special City, stated on the 19th, "The universities in the former Jeonnam region were expected to merge and operate as one. However, the merger is not happening. If the merger does not occur, they will not be able to apply." Despite the failure to merge, he expressed a commitment to continue pursuing the establishment of a national medical school in Jeonnam.
According to the Jeonnam Gwangju Integrated Special City and the two universities, the Ministry of Education requested a plan for the establishment of a regional medical school by the 20th, contingent upon the merger of the two universities.
Mokpo University and Suncheon University needed to apply as a single entity for their proposal to be considered. However, the universities repeatedly asserted their own positions regarding the medical school and university hospital, ultimately failing to reach an agreement.
Recently, Mokpo University submitted relevant documents to the Gwangju Special City, including the necessity for a new medical school, proposed enrollment numbers, and local government support plans as requested. Suncheon University submitted its documents in accordance with the Ministry of Education's format, detailing the location of the medical school and university hospital.
The special city returned the submissions, stating they were not based on a consensus between the two universities. Without an agreement, it appears unlikely that either university can pursue its own path effectively.
Min Hyung-bae, the mayor of Gwangju Special City, stated on the 19th, "The universities in the former Jeonnam region were expected to merge and operate as one. However, the merger is not happening. If the merger does not occur, they will not be able to apply." Despite the failure to merge, he expressed a commitment to continue pursuing the establishment of a national medical school in Jeonnam.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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