Chosun University prepares second attempt at Glocal University 30 funding

Chosun University's campus in Dong District, Gwangju [CHOSUN UNIVERSITY]

Chosun University announced Sunday that it has created a task force to lead the university's second attempt to become selected for the Glocal University 30 project.

The university plans to apply for the Glocal University 30 project again this year, with the task force planning to pitch to the Ministry of Education that it will use the funding to innovate and create a so-called city campus system.

The university applied for last year's Glocal University 30 project, but failed to pass the first round of the selection process.

The government-funded Glocal University 30 project awards grants worth 100 billion won ($74.7 million) to selected universities or coalitions outside of the greater Seoul region, to be used over five years.

Chosun University's city campus system refers to using the entire city it is located in, Gwangju, as learning grounds for its students.

For instance, if there is a chip cluster in Gwangju, students studying semiconductors will go there more often than their original campus to participate in career training programs and listen to special lectures hosted by local businesses. Students studying art will do so at the city's art districts.

The university hopes the system will give students more opportunities, also helping the local economy as more students will visit a variety of different neighborhoods.

"In order to solve our society's problems such as low fertility rates, an aging population and the slowing growth rate, we will do our best to create city campuses throughout the region," said Kim Chun-sung, president of Chosun University. "By expanding our campus based on different characteristics of regions, we will come up with methods for the university to grow with our local community."

BY LEE TAE-HEE [lee.taehee2@joongang.co.kr]