SNU to be incorporated
Published: 08 Dec. 2009, 19:28
Seoul National University is ready to become an independent corporate entity as early as March 2011 after the Cabinet approved a bill yesterday.
"By incorporating Seoul National University, established and managed by the nation, we intend to step up autonomy and responsibility in university management and strengthen educational and research capacities, thereby fostering it into a world-class university," the government announced.
Incorporation, if its bill passes the National Assembly early next year, will give the 63-year university greater autonomy in school management and finance, enabling it to administer a larger budget to recruit noted but high-paid academics from abroad. Currently, no professor at SNU receives over 90 million won a year, no matter how excellent their research achievements are because government regulations.
Despite going independent, SNU will continue receiving annual government funds to pay labor and maintenance costs. However, the school will be allowed to operate as a profit-making business on condition it doesn't hurt the school's education and research activities. Long-term loans or issuance of school bonds will also be allowed.
To ensure the university fulfills its duties, the Education Ministry will make it mandatory that the SNU president set management goals every four years and to make public management plans annually.
Following incorporation, all school workers, including professors, will eventually lose their status as civil servants. Professors will retain the status for the next five years from the point of incorporation. Some of administration employees who don't want to be deprived of the position will be allowed to relocate to other government bodies or municipal governments.
*The full version of the article can be read in tomorrow’s edition of the JoongAng Daily.
By Seo Ji-eun Staff Reporter [[email protected]]
"By incorporating Seoul National University, established and managed by the nation, we intend to step up autonomy and responsibility in university management and strengthen educational and research capacities, thereby fostering it into a world-class university," the government announced.
Incorporation, if its bill passes the National Assembly early next year, will give the 63-year university greater autonomy in school management and finance, enabling it to administer a larger budget to recruit noted but high-paid academics from abroad. Currently, no professor at SNU receives over 90 million won a year, no matter how excellent their research achievements are because government regulations.
Despite going independent, SNU will continue receiving annual government funds to pay labor and maintenance costs. However, the school will be allowed to operate as a profit-making business on condition it doesn't hurt the school's education and research activities. Long-term loans or issuance of school bonds will also be allowed.
To ensure the university fulfills its duties, the Education Ministry will make it mandatory that the SNU president set management goals every four years and to make public management plans annually.
Following incorporation, all school workers, including professors, will eventually lose their status as civil servants. Professors will retain the status for the next five years from the point of incorporation. Some of administration employees who don't want to be deprived of the position will be allowed to relocate to other government bodies or municipal governments.
*The full version of the article can be read in tomorrow’s edition of the JoongAng Daily.
By Seo Ji-eun Staff Reporter [[email protected]]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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