Gachon University has once again demonstrated its educational innovation success by receiving the highest rating of S grade in the Ministry of Education's university innovation support project evaluation for four consecutive years.
On August 11, Gachon University announced that it achieved an S grade in the educational innovation category in the '2026 University Innovation Support Project Performance Evaluation' released by the Ministry of Education and the Korea Research Foundation.
As a result, the university secured a project budget of 12.69 billion won, the highest level, including incentives.
This evaluation comprehensively assessed the educational innovation outcomes and self-performance management of 142 universities nationwide, focusing on the universities' autonomous educational system reforms and student-centered educational innovations.
A key change at Gachon University is the strengthened support system that allows students to choose their majors based on their aptitudes and career paths.
In particular, the university operates a step-by-step support program for students admitted under the autonomous major selection system, guiding them from pre-admission through university adaptation, major exploration, and department selection.
The 'Major and Career Design Care Center' has enhanced major and career counseling, and a designated full-time professor for academic management and counseling has been appointed to provide tailored support for each student.
These institutional improvements have led to a significant reduction in dropout rates. The dropout rate for students in Gachon University's autonomous major selection system, 'Infinite Major,' decreased from 15% in 2023 to 2.7% in 2025.
The achievement of the highest rating for four consecutive years is significant as it indicates that Gachon University's educational innovation policies are not one-time projects but are leading to continuous performance management.
The secured project budget is expected to be used to expand educational innovations, including creating a student-centered educational environment and supporting major and career choices.
In response to Gachon University's four consecutive S grade achievement, the local community emphasizes the importance of the tangible changes in the educational environment that students can actually experience, rather than just the university receiving a high evaluation.
There is particular interest in how the university has broadened options for students who have not yet decided on their majors and linked career counseling with academic management to reduce dropout rates.
Citizens expect that the university's achievements will ultimately connect to students' career paths and employment, as well as the development of the local community, and hope that educational innovations supporting each student's choices and growth will continue rather than being merely performative.
Meanwhile, President Lee Gil-yeo stated, "We have created an educational environment where students can freely pursue their dreams through flexible academic systems and expanded major selection rights," adding, "We will continue to innovate to ensure that students can grow into key talents who will lead our society."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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