Universities to be allowed to set up campuses abroad

By Bahk Eun-ji

Universities here will be able to open overseas campuses, the education ministry announced Tuesday.

The Ministry of Education building at the Government Complex Sejong. Korea Times file

The plan is a part of the education ministry's efforts to relieve regulations on the education sector to boost schools' autonomy.

Under the plan, universities will be allowed to set up campuses abroad with a number of specific departments, to better meet local demand.

The quota of the departments at the overseas campuses can differ from those on the domestic campuses.

After collecting opinions from experts and relevant organizations, the ministry plans to submit a revision bill to the Higher Education Act in the National Assembly next July.

The education ministry said it expects the overseas expansion of universities to be a breakthrough solution to the situation here where the number of students is decreasing amid a low birthrate.

“It will also give more options for students to attend various classes through exchange programs between campuses at home and abroad,” Yim Yong-bin, director general of private university policy division of the ministry, said during a press briefing at the Government Complex Sejong, Monday.