Universities to set up overseas campus

By Bae Ji-sook

Students may be able to enroll at a domestic university and study both at home and abroad using its overseas campuses, in the very near future.

The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology on Thursday gave prior notice of a law revision that would enable domestic universities to establish branches abroad. The revision, if approved by the National Assembly, would come into effect Jan. 1.

Doors would open wider to universities seeking to globalize by attracting world-class professors who are reluctant relocate to Korea as well as high-level Korean and foreign students.

Under the current law, it is difficult for domestic universities to establish branches, institutes, academies and other facilities overseas as the law makes it mandatory for the school foundation to secure a certain size of real estate for the campus and relevant facilities; more than 10 billion won for permanent property, and a certain number of professors.

Since the legislation was established in 1996, not a single university has managed to set up a branch outside Korea. The revision allows universities to lease real estate and reduces the mandatory number of professors and the amount of money for permanent property.

The authorities will set up a screening committee to watch over the quality and financial status of universities seeking new business opportunities abroad.

“There have been constant demands for deregulation from universities. Schools here can send their students to their overseas branches for language training or regular courses. The overseas branches could pick their own students, too,” a ministry official said.

“It will provide students with global experience and universities with a new business model.”

According to Yonhap News Agency, some universities are already considering their options. Hongik University, which has a world-class art and design department, said it is considering several locations.

“The language training will come first but we are planning to replace some 3D design and other highly competitive departments so that students will be able to receive lectures from world-class professors, who rarely make visits to Korea. Also, foreign students can have wider access to Korean education,” a university spokesman was quoted as telling Yonhap.