With Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) taking the lead, academic exchanges among national flagship universities have begun in earnest, and the national flagship universities and the Ministry of Education convened to discuss ways to revitalize academic exchange by strengthening links among the universities.

The policy research forum titled 'Establishing the KNU10 Joint Degree System Through the Activation of Academic Exchange among National Universities' was held at JBNU from 2:00 p.m. on November 25. Due to COVID-19, the event was conducted in a hybrid format, combining in-person and online participation.

The forum, attended by presidents of the national flagship universities, committee members, staff responsible for academic exchange, and officials from the Ministry of Education's National University Policy Division, featured presentations including Professor Song Young-shin of Chungnam National University on 'The Current Status of Academic Exchange among National Flagship Universities'; Professor Yang Chang-yong of Jeju National University on 'Needs Analysis for Academic Exchange among National Flagship Universities'; Professor Ryu Gwang-yeol of Pusan National University on 'Domestic Cases of Academic Exchange'; and Professor Park Hyu-yong of JBNU on 'Measures to Strengthen KNU10 Academic Exchange.'

Professor Song Young-shin of Chungnam National University, presenting the results of a current survey on academic exchange, proposed the need to introduce dual/joint degree programs and develop curriculum models; apply standardized course opening/closing criteria for class operations, develop timetables, and establish methods for granting credits; and introduce reasonable incentives to encourage faculty participation.

In addition, through the presentation of a demand survey to strengthen academic exchange, Professor Yang Chang-yong of Jeju National University presented survey figures showing student-centered activities and programs to revitalize academic exchange, as well as proposals regarding systems, administration, and finances, which resonated with attendees.

Professor Ryu Gwang-yeol of Pusan National University, who presented domestic cases of academic exchange, analyzed past exchanges between the Yeong and Honam regions and the current status of credit exchange for remote courses among the national flagship universities, and suggested implications such as the need to develop expansion plans based on data analysis and student feedback and to enhance promotion efforts.

Notably, Professor Park Hyu-yong of JBNU drew attention with his keynote presentation 'Measures to Strengthen KNU10 Academic Exchange,' in which he outlined the purpose and goals of national university academic exchange, practical implementation models, and the requirements and measures needed to activate academic exchange.

He proposed ultimately building a KNU10 integrated virtual campus (provisionally named 'Korea University') to integrate each university's cyber campus systems, consider virtual classrooms using the metaverse, and expand from general education courses to majors. He also argued for establishing a standing collaborative framework through a joint consultative body between the Ministry of Education and the national universities, and for promoting activation and expanding the basis for financial support by enacting a 'Law on Strengthening Links and Exchanges among National Universities.'

He emphasized the importance of securing budgets, stressing the need for budgetary support to establish specialized majors (programs) at each university to facilitate resource sharing among national universities and foster specialized majors, to support the creation and operation of online exchange courses, and to support the launch of a consortium of national flagship universities.

Following the presentations, a comprehensive discussion and Q&A session was held with participants including Shin Yong-min, Executive Vice-President for Academic Affairs of Gyeongsang National University; Lee Gil-jae, Director of the Office of Educational Innovation at Chungbuk National University; and Jang Se-eun, Senior Administrative Officer, National University Policy Division, Ministry of Education.

Jang Se-eun of the Ministry of Education said that efforts should be made within universities to raise awareness of inter-university academic exchange and to actively promote such exchanges, and that opportunities for communication among the national flagship universities should be held frequently.

She added that the Ministry of Education will listen closely to the forum's discussions and work together to consider and support measures to expand inter-university cooperation. 

Kim Dong-won, President of JBNU, which organized the forum, said, “This forum is an opportunity to share research findings on academic exchange to date and to gather valuable opinions to produce a final outcome,” adding, “I hope this policy research will be an opportunity to take one step closer to enhancing the educational capabilities of the national flagship universities and establishing a cooperative system.”