Upcoming Announcement on FIRST Project Critical for Non-Glocal Private Universities

The selection of universities for the "2026 Regional Specialized University Project" (FIRST Project) is imminent, a critical initiative for non-capital region private universities facing declining student populations and regional extinction threats. Universities that previously failed to secure Glocal University status are now vying for this last opportunity.

The FIRST (Flagship Initiative for Regional Specialized University Transformation) Project aims to select about 15 private universities outside the capital region, providing an average of 5 billion won annually for up to five years, totaling a maximum of 250 billion won per university. Selected institutions will receive regulatory exemptions through designation as "Higher Education Innovation Specialized Regions," allowing for exceptions in faculty hiring, flexible retirement policies, and collaborative educational programs.

Notably, the project includes a clause excluding designated Glocal Universities from receiving funds, preventing overlapping investments and providing a unique recovery pathway for non-Glocal private universities. This has led many in academia to refer to the initiative as a "mini Glocal project."

Initially, the Education Ministry planned to announce the results by the end of September following the submission of project proposals in August and evaluations in September. However, the announcement has been postponed until early to mid-October, with a possible official release around the 15th.

Some speculate that the delay is due to disagreements between ministries over reduction rates, but experts suggest the real issue lies in determining the final number of selected universities within the "about 15" range. A professor leading a specialization project at a regional private university stated, "The criteria for enrollment reduction and additional points have already been established, so the delay likely stems from finalizing the number of selected institutions and the cut-off line for those not chosen."

The professor added, "Given the nature of the project, the first-year budget must be executed within the year, and the delay could lead to issues with unspent funds or excessive carryover, prompting the ministry to thoroughly review the profiles of the selected universities and their financial plans."

In response, a representative from the Education Ministry's Private University Support Division stated, "While the announcement was initially scheduled for September, the delay is merely an administrative adjustment regarding the timing of the press release, with no significant issues or disagreements between ministries. Please wait for the announcement next week for the number of selected universities and specific results."

With 64 universities in the capital region excluded, non-capital private universities are showing distinct differences in their calculations based on regional conditions and university size.

Universities in the Honam region, which have been struggling with chronic enrollment issues, are reportedly more proactive in seeking support. Multiple universities in the Jeonnam and Gwangju areas have submitted applications.

The planning director at H University noted, "In light of the crisis facing regional universities, we have reflected enrollment reduction plans after consulting with our members. To overcome financial difficulties amid free tuition initiatives at national universities and regulations on private institutions, entering the specialization project is essential."

Conversely, universities in the Chungcheong, Daegu-Gyeongbuk, and Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam regions exhibit stark differences in their calculations based on perceived advantages or disadvantages. As universities completed their applications in secrecy, the final support decisions remain uncertain, with the size of the enrollment structure emerging as a key variable in the application process.

For instance, larger private universities with annual enrollment exceeding 2,000 students face challenges in permanently reducing their enrollment by 3% or more to receive annual funding of 5 to 6 billion won, as this could negatively impact tuition revenue. Given recent trends in admission competitiveness and uncertainties, some institutions have withdrawn their applications due to internal opposition, while others have taken risks in a desperate bid for support, leading to internal conflicts and strategic calculations.

In the Daegu-Gyeongbuk region, larger universities like Daegu University and Yeungnam University are exploring various ways to participate in the project, while in the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam region, universities such as Dong-A University and Dongseo University, which have already been designated as Glocal Universities, are likely to have engaged in fierce competition among non-Glocal institutions like Dongmyeong University, Dong-eui University, and Silla University.

As tensions surrounding the FIRST Project reach a peak, concerns are rising among universities regarding the feasibility of executing the project after selection. Originally slated for implementation in the first half of the year, the final results are now expected in mid-October, leaving only two to three months for actual budget execution in the first year.

The planning director at a private university in the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam region stated, "The FIRST Project is not merely operational funding; it involves significant performance indicators and requires structural reforms accompanied by space and curriculum innovations. For instance, campus space renovations alone take at least six months, making it unrealistic to expect universities to spend around 5 billion won within the remaining two to three months of the year."

The director emphasized the need for flexible guidelines allowing for a broad carryover of 60% to 70% of the project budget, similar to the previous year's pilot application of the Regional Innovation Center University Support System (RISE), to prevent wasteful spending or poor execution due to rushed implementation. He suggested that the ministry should ensure that funds are executed without issues in the following semester.

Additionally, there are ongoing calls to reassess the fundamental framework of higher education financial policies. Concerns persist that the selective specialization support for a few regional universities could undermine the general financial support intent of the existing University Innovation Support Project and exacerbate disparities among institutions. Critics also argue that the specialization model of the FIRST Project could overlap functionally with other initiatives, such as the upcoming Regional Growth Talent Development System (Anchor) and related projects.

Lee Joo-yeol, chair of the Third Cycle University Innovation Support Project General Council and a professor at Namseoul University, stated, "Rather than concentrating budgets on about 15 regional universities through a selective specialization approach, it would be more effective to significantly expand and strengthen the University Innovation Support Project budget to ensure all universities can guarantee educational quality and achieve necessary reforms."

He further recommended that any specialization project budget should be included in the University Innovation Support Project budget to ensure that each university can continue autonomous and sustainable innovation.