PNU and BNUE to merge, targeting March 2027 launch

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PNU and BNUE to merge, targeting March 2027 launch

Published: 24 Apr. 2024, 11:20

LEE TAE-HEE
lee.taehee2@joongang.co.kr

Pusan National University President Cha Jeong-in, left, poses for a photo with Park Soo-ja, president of Busan National University of Education, after signing a memorandum of understanding to open a merged university in March 2027. [PUSAN NATIONAL UNIVERSITY]

Pusan National University (PNU) and Busan National University of Education (BNUE) will submit merger plans to the Ministry of Education this week, aiming to launch the merged university by March 2027.

The two universities announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding on Tuesday to officially establish the merged university on March 1, 2027.

They will submit the merger plan to the Education Ministry within the week, with the ministry expected to review and approve the plan, a process that could take around six months.

As national universities, they will also require approval from the Minister of Education to proceed with the merger, expected to be granted by the end of 2024 or early 2025.

The merged university will adopt Pusan National University's name, while Busan National University of Education will become a new college of education under Pusan National University.

The Yeonje Campus of Busan National University of Education, located in Yeonje District, Busan, will be designated as Pusan National University's Yeonje Campus. Pusan National University's Busan Campus in Geumjeong District, Busan, will be referred to as the university's Geunmjeong Campus.

The Yeonje Campus will primarily focus on teacher training, housing Pusan National University's Graduate School of Education, Education Training Institute, School of Continuing Education and its Research and Business Development Foundation.

"Busan National University of Education will lead the future of public education through the merger with Pusan National University, focusing on programs related to teacher training at the Yeonje Campus and establishing advanced digital infrastructure for students," said Park Soo-ja, president of Busan National University of Education.

"The Yeonje Campus will not only focus on training teachers, but also address current issues regarding Korea's education with the Korea Research for Education On Network, develop various educational content and help prospective and current teachers establish edu-tech startups," said Park.

The decision to merge follows the selection of the coalition between Pusan National University and Busan National University of Education for the Glocal University 30 project in November last year, contingent upon their merger.

Under the Glocal University 30 project, selected universities receive government funding of 100 billion won ($73 million) over five years. Universities intending to merge must submit merger plans to the Education Ministry within a year of selection to qualify for funding.

There are three more coalitions that need to submit merger plans within the time frame, which are: Kangwon National University and Gangneung-Wonju National University; Andong National University and Gyeongbuk Provincial College; and Chungbuk National University and Korea National University of Transportation.

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