The 'Creating 10 Seoul National Universities' initiative, a key higher education policy of the Lee Jae-myung administration, has entered a concrete implementation phase. This strategy focuses on nurturing three national universities linked to regional strategic industries, moving beyond mere quantitative expansion.
On the morning of June 17, the Education Ministry announced at the Government Sejong Center that it had finalized the '2026 Package Support University Selection Plan' during a meeting with seven related ministries, including the Office for Government Policy Coordination and the Ministry of Science and ICT.
This policy reflects the government's strong commitment to integrate its large-scale national spatial design project, the 'National Spatial Transformation Project,' with university innovation to promote sustainable balanced development outside the capital region.
On the morning of June 17, the Education Ministry announced at the Government Sejong Center that it had finalized the '2026 Package Support University Selection Plan' during a meeting with seven related ministries, including the Office for Government Policy Coordination and the Ministry of Science and ICT.
This policy reflects the government's strong commitment to integrate its large-scale national spatial design project, the 'National Spatial Transformation Project,' with university innovation to promote sustainable balanced development outside the capital region.
Developing 'National Representative Universities' to Combat Regional Decline
The government's decision to focus support on three national universities under the 'Creating 10 Seoul National Universities' policy is seen as a strategic move to directly address national imbalances caused by overpopulation in the capital region and the crisis of declining regional universities. The aim is to create a virtuous cycle where universities contribute to local industrial growth through the cultivation of talented individuals and research and development (R&D).
As a result, the government plans to select the three most innovative national universities with high potential for regional growth from nine candidates located outside the capital. These selected universities will serve as key hubs for regional strategic industries, helping to retain talented individuals in their local areas rather than seeing them migrate to the capital.
This approach differs from traditional educational budget support by breaking down barriers between ministries and integrating all government resources, including tax, regulation, finance, technology, and infrastructure, into a comprehensive 'Growth Engine Policy Support Package.'
As a result, the government plans to select the three most innovative national universities with high potential for regional growth from nine candidates located outside the capital. These selected universities will serve as key hubs for regional strategic industries, helping to retain talented individuals in their local areas rather than seeing them migrate to the capital.
This approach differs from traditional educational budget support by breaking down barriers between ministries and integrating all government resources, including tax, regulation, finance, technology, and infrastructure, into a comprehensive 'Growth Engine Policy Support Package.'
Rigorous Evaluation Criteria for R&D and Academic Reforms
Given the significance of selecting national representative universities, the criteria for selection are meticulously designed. The government intends to identify universities that best align with the balanced growth strategy of the National Spatial Transformation Project based on joint proposals submitted by universities, local governments, and private enterprises.
The detailed selection criteria consist of four main areas:
First, the 'Alignment with the National Spatial Transformation Project Strategy.' This evaluates how closely the university's specialized fields align with the government's three super-regional development strategies: the global economic and cultural capital, the central administrative and scientific capital, and the southern energy and marine capital. It also examines the establishment of collaborative governance within the region.
Second, 'Regional Conditions and Preparedness' looks at the industrial infrastructure, actual investment plans from businesses and public institutions, and future workforce demand in the region.
Third, the most significant factor appears to be 'University Conditions and Preparedness.' This includes the specificity of plans for operating industry-academia integrated colleges and specialized research institutes, restructuring academic programs as an AI hub university, innovative faculty recruitment systems, and collaboration with other institutions.
Lastly, 'Overall Educational and Research Innovation and Institutional Improvement' will assess the university's commitment to transitioning to a performance-based operational system.
To ensure a fair and objective review, a 'Working Committee' will be formed, chaired by the Vice Minister of Education, with participation from senior officials from eight ministries and external experts from national research institutions. This committee will conduct thorough preliminary reviews using submitted documents and various data sources.
The final selection of supported universities will be confirmed through the 'National Spatial Transformation Inter-Ministerial Council,' chaired by the Prime Minister and including the chair of the Local Era Committee and relevant ministers.
The detailed selection criteria consist of four main areas:
First, the 'Alignment with the National Spatial Transformation Project Strategy.' This evaluates how closely the university's specialized fields align with the government's three super-regional development strategies: the global economic and cultural capital, the central administrative and scientific capital, and the southern energy and marine capital. It also examines the establishment of collaborative governance within the region.
Second, 'Regional Conditions and Preparedness' looks at the industrial infrastructure, actual investment plans from businesses and public institutions, and future workforce demand in the region.
Third, the most significant factor appears to be 'University Conditions and Preparedness.' This includes the specificity of plans for operating industry-academia integrated colleges and specialized research institutes, restructuring academic programs as an AI hub university, innovative faculty recruitment systems, and collaboration with other institutions.
Lastly, 'Overall Educational and Research Innovation and Institutional Improvement' will assess the university's commitment to transitioning to a performance-based operational system.
To ensure a fair and objective review, a 'Working Committee' will be formed, chaired by the Vice Minister of Education, with participation from senior officials from eight ministries and external experts from national research institutions. This committee will conduct thorough preliminary reviews using submitted documents and various data sources.
The final selection of supported universities will be confirmed through the 'National Spatial Transformation Inter-Ministerial Council,' chaired by the Prime Minister and including the chair of the Local Era Committee and relevant ministers.
Universities to Submit Action Plans by End of July; Each to Receive Approximately $1 Billion
The three selected national universities will receive concentrated administrative and financial investments over the next five years (2026-2030). Specifically, they will receive approximately 40 billion won each for the 'Growth Engine Brand College' initiative, which aims to develop world-class industry-academia integrated colleges, and around 100 billion won each for the 'AI Hub University' initiative, which will be responsible for the regional AI and transformation ecosystem.
Additionally, funding for the 'Shared University' initiative, which allows multiple universities in the region to operate joint curricula and share infrastructure, will provide around 20 billion won per university, resulting in a substantial increase in funding to approximately 1 billion won per university compared to the previous year.
Moreover, the government plans to prioritize these universities as 'Specialized Regional Universities' under the Higher Education Act and the Regional University Development Act, offering special provisions to reform regulations that hinder university development. Through joint consulting with related ministries, the government will manage key performance indicators (KPIs) annually and apply a strict performance-based funding system.
Key upcoming dates include the final submission of university action plans by the end of July, followed by a detailed review and comprehensive evaluation process in August. After coordination among relevant ministries and finalization of the growth engine, the three supported universities are expected to be selected by September.
Education Minister Kim Kyo-jin stated, "For the concentrated support policy for national universities to succeed, it is essential to go beyond internal university innovation and ensure organic and robust collaboration with related ministries to foster industrial growth, create quality jobs, and improve living conditions. We will mobilize government-wide capabilities from the selection stage to create successful regional growth models with global competitiveness even in local areas."
Additionally, funding for the 'Shared University' initiative, which allows multiple universities in the region to operate joint curricula and share infrastructure, will provide around 20 billion won per university, resulting in a substantial increase in funding to approximately 1 billion won per university compared to the previous year.
Moreover, the government plans to prioritize these universities as 'Specialized Regional Universities' under the Higher Education Act and the Regional University Development Act, offering special provisions to reform regulations that hinder university development. Through joint consulting with related ministries, the government will manage key performance indicators (KPIs) annually and apply a strict performance-based funding system.
Key upcoming dates include the final submission of university action plans by the end of July, followed by a detailed review and comprehensive evaluation process in August. After coordination among relevant ministries and finalization of the growth engine, the three supported universities are expected to be selected by September.
Education Minister Kim Kyo-jin stated, "For the concentrated support policy for national universities to succeed, it is essential to go beyond internal university innovation and ensure organic and robust collaboration with related ministries to foster industrial growth, create quality jobs, and improve living conditions. We will mobilize government-wide capabilities from the selection stage to create successful regional growth models with global competitiveness even in local areas."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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