Heo Gang-mu, Professor in the Division of Public Science at Jeonbuk National University (JBNU), received a Commendation from the President of the National Research Foundation of Korea for proposing academic ecosystem innovation and a region–industry–university–research collaborative model linked to the Lee Jae‑myung administration's national agenda.

JBNU stated on the 10th that Professor Heo was highly evaluated for proposing strategic directions that link the Lee Jae‑myung administration's national agenda with the characteristics of the National Research Foundation of Korea. He was recognized for taking the lead in establishing a foundation for a sustainable academic and research ecosystem and for institutional management innovation, thereby contributing to the Foundation's development and enhanced standing.

The award is reported to have been prompted by Professor Heo's special lecture paper, "The Lee Jae‑myung Government's Era of Five Poles and Three Specializations: The Role and Tasks of Universities," which he presented at a workshop on May 14 attended by the President, Secretary‑General and other senior officials of the National Research Foundation of Korea.

In his presentation, Professor Heo diagnosed the crisis of regional disappearance caused by a single‑pole metropolitan system centered on the capital and the outflow of young people. He pointed out the limitations of the university‑centered "Create Ten Seoul National Universities" initiative. As an alternative, he proposed a paradigm shift toward a "Create Ten University Cities Project" that integrates universities with urban spaces.

He also emphasized the need to redesign the zones surrounding universities into spaces where youth entrepreneurship and residential ecosystems can thrive, and to substantially improve residential infrastructure such as dormitories for international students. As a way to overcome the limitations of Ministry of Education‑centered financial support, he suggested leveraging a local government‑led "Regional Growth Talent Development System (ANCHOR) promotion policy."

He also proposed concentrating various multi‑ministry funds—such as the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's Urban Convergence Special Zone project, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety's Local Extinction Response Fund, and budgets for low birthrate and youth—into 'university city' zones centered on regional flagship national universities to strengthen conditions for youth settlement.

Professor Heo Gang-mu said in his acceptance remarks, "Local universities must now serve not merely as education and research institutions but as the 'last line of defense against regional extinction,' responsible for the survival of local communities and for balanced national development." He added, "Based on the university city model and the Regional Growth Talent Development System (ANCHOR), our JBNU will lead the way to become the central axis of the five‑pole three‑specializations super‑regional era and the standard for a 'region–industry–university–research collaborative research university' where young people want to stay."