Jeonbuk National University (JBNU), led by President Yang O-bong, presented a Glocal University vision to advance JBNU as a flagship university that will lead Jeonbuk Province and regional universities toward the future and the world.

JBNU held a "Glocal University Vision Proclamation Ceremony" on the 25th at 11:00 a.m. in the Convention Hall at the International Convention Center.

The ceremony was attended by about 300 people, including President Yang O-bong; Yun So-young, Director of Regional Talent Policy, Ministry of Education; Shafik Hashadi, Ambassador of Morocco to the Republic of Korea; Kim Jong-hoon, Vice Governor for Economic Affairs of Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province; Guk Ju‑yung‑eun, Chair of the Jeonbuk Provincial Council; Woo Beom‑gi, Mayor of Jeonju; Choi Kyung‑sik, Mayor of Namwon; Yoo Jeong‑gi, Deputy Superintendent, Jeonbuk Provincial Office of Education; Park Hee‑seung, Member of the National Assembly‑elect; presidents of universities in the Jeonbuk region, presidents of universities participating in the glocal project such as Chungbuk National University; other related officials; and representatives of regional research institutes and companies.

The ceremony began with opening remarks by JBNU President Yang O‑bong. Following congratulatory remarks from guests, President Yang announced the detailed plans for the glocal project. A vision proclamation performance expressing the aspiration for mutual development with the region and celebratory performances were also held.

At the proclamation, JBNU declared its vision to emerge as a flagship university that leads Jeonbuk and regional universities to the future and the world by building a JUIC (University–Industry–City) triangle, fully opening JBNU resources to regional universities and students, and guiding regional university specialization. JBNU presented four models to drive mutually beneficial regional development: establishing local government–industry–university–research convergence campuses; regionalizing admission units; expanding international student recruitment; and regenerating closed campuses.

JBNU will first leverage each region’s strengths to create three joint campuses for local government–industry–university–research collaboration: a hub in the Saemangeum area focused on secondary batteries, the K‑Defense industry, and sensor semiconductors; a Jeonju–Wanju hub centered on agri‑life and a green hydrogen cluster; and an Iksan–Jeongeup hub specializing in pet bio and veterinary pharmaceuticals. These joint campuses will pursue research and development and talent cultivation. Through attracting 100 companies and supporting startups, JBNU aims to create approximately 5,000 new jobs to increase the local resident population and help prevent regional depopulation.

To realize a student‑centered university, JBNU will proceed with academic structure reforms that regionalize admission units and strengthen students’ right to choose majors. The current 106 admission units will be regionalized to around 45 units next year and to about 25 units in the 2028 academic year. JBNU will enhance students’ major selection rights and expand microdegree offerings so students can freely choose and complete a variety of majors suited to the era of convergence.

In response to the sharp decline in the school‑aged population and the threat of regional disappearance, JBNU plans to attract 5,000 international students by 2028 and create conditions that enable them to settle and live in the region. Measures include a hybrid online–offline international campus (center) program in which students study one year at an online international campus (center) and three years at JBNU, expanded short‑term cultural exchange visits for foreign visitors, joint curricula with leading overseas universities, and diversification of the countries participating in dual‑degree programs. Through these efforts, JBNU aims to increase the current international student population of about 2,100 to 5,000 and become a global hub university.

In particular, JBNU plans to present a leading model for addressing the nationwide issue of closed campuses by revitalizing the closed Seonam University campus. Namwon City has completed the acquisition of the closed Seonam University site, and management will soon be transferred to JBNU. After the transfer, JBNU will establish a Glocal Campus there and operate foreign‑student‑only departments such as K‑Culture and K‑Business & Economics to encourage international students to settle in the region. JBNU will also establish a Korean language institute offering tailored Korean instruction for local multicultural families and create startup incubator spaces for Namwon’s specialized industries—such as pansori, cosmetics, traditional woodcraft, and the drone industry—to revitalize regional specialty industries.

Kim Jong‑hoon, Vice Governor for Economic Affairs of Jeonbuk Special Self‑Governing Province, said, “We support JBNU’s development into a true Glocal University and thank President Yang O‑bong and all those involved for their efforts. Jeonbuk Special Self‑Governing Province will cooperate to firmly establish its status as a special self‑governing province. Furthermore, we will actively support bold innovations at all regional universities so that university‑led regional development can be realized.”

President Yang O‑bong stated, “Regional universities must now properly cultivate regional talent so they can work locally, and research outcomes must be transferred to regional industries to inject new vitality. I am confident that today’s JBNU Glocal University vision proclamation will provide new momentum for mutual development between the university and the region.”