The Korea Times

Jeonnam-Gwangju universities launch semiconductor majors ahead of planned tech cluster

Universities in southwestern Korea are stepping up efforts to cultivate talent for emerging industries as government and private sector plans to build semiconductor and artificial intelligence (AI) clusters in the area take shape. Universities across Jeonnam-Gwangju Special Metropolitan City, including Chonnam National University, are launching new programs and expanding training in semiconductor and AI-related fields, backed by the government’s broader push to strengthen regional universities. Chonnam National University, recently selected for the government’s “10 Seoul National Universities” initiative, plans to establish a new college specializing in advanced industries with an annual intake of 300 students. Starting in March 2028, the college will offer programs in advanced semiconductors and future energy. The university also plans to provide student support comparable to that of Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) and the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) as it seeks to nurture researchers for future industries. It will expand educati

Sep 14, 2026By Jung Da-hyun

Jeonnam-Gwangju universities launch semiconductor majors ahead of planned tech cluster

'10 SNUs' plan faces backlash over funding gap, selection process

The government's initiative to create “10 Seoul National Universities” is facing growing backlash following the selection of three universities for concentrated funding, prompting questions over the transparency of the selection process and concerns that the initiative could create a new hierarchy among regional national universities. The Ministry of Education on Tuesday selected Pusan National University, Chonnam National University and Chungnam National University as the first beneficiaries of the initiative. Each will receive 70 billion won ($51 million) in government funding to advance education in artificial intelligence and industries tied to regional strategic priorities. While the three selected universities will each receive roughly 100 billion won more in government funding than last year, the six other regional flagship national universities will receive only about 40 billion won each in additional support for undergraduate education reform and shared university programs. Universities left out of the initiative warn that, by the end of the five-year program, the funding g

Sep 5, 2026By Jung Da-hyun

'10 SNUs' plan faces backlash over funding gap, selection process

Competition for regional national universities hits 5-year high amid free tuition push

Regional flagship national universities are drawing increasing interest as the government prepares to expand support for balanced regional development. The competition rate for regular admissions, based on Korea's College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT), reached 5.68 to 1 for admission in 2026 at nine regional flagship national universities, the highest in five years, according to an analysis released Thursday by Jongro Academy, a private university admissions prep institution. The nine schools are Kangwon National University, Gyeongsang National University, Kyungpook National University, Pusan National University, Chonnam National University, Jeonbuk National University, Jeju National University, Chungnam National University and Chungbuk National University. Their competition rate for regular admissions was 4.67 to 1 for admission in 2022, 4.69 to 1 in 2023, 4.58 to 1 in 2024 and 4.88 to 1 in 2025. The competition rate for early admissions, based primarily on high school academic performance and other extracurricular activities, reached 8.65 to 1 for admission in 2026, the highest in fou

Sep 3, 2026By Park Ung

Competition for regional national universities hits 5-year high amid free tuition push

Pusan, Chonnam, Chungnam national universities selected for '10 SNUs' initiative

Pusan National University, Chonnam National University and Chungnam National University have been selected for the government's "making 10 Seoul National Universities" initiative, the Ministry of Education announced Tuesday. The three universities will each receive up to around 70 billion won ($51 million) in government funding. Announced by the ministry in April, the initiative is designed to strengthen leading national universities outside the capital region by linking them with strategic local industries and developing them into regional hubs for education, research and development. The broader goal is to create a pipeline in which students study, find jobs and eventually settle in the regions where they were educated. Under the program, each selected university will receive a funding package spanning undergraduate and graduate education, research and artificial intelligence (AI) development. The funding will be spread across several areas, with about 40 billion won earmarked for specialized colleges and interdisciplinary research institutes focused on regional growth industries. Anoth

Sep 1, 2026By Jung Da-hyun

Pusan, Chonnam, Chungnam national universities selected for '10 SNUs' initiative

InterviewGKS becomes gateway to life in Korea for Uzbek scholar

Sodikov Normatjon had an older brother already studying in Korea when he began exploring scholarship options from Uzbekistan. That early window into Korean university life pointed him toward the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) and made the prospect of moving abroad feel, if not easy, at least less uncertain. "GKS was a life-changing opportunity for me," Normatjon said during a recent interview with The Korea Times. "Studying abroad can bring financial and cultural uncertainties, but the scholarship took away much of that burden and allowed me to focus fully on my studies." Normatjon arrived in Korea in 2018 and the program has since helped him learn Korean, build a career and start a family in the country. Beyond financial support, the scholarship also helped him navigate the linguistic and cultural challenges of living abroad. Its Korean-language training and cultural programs gave him an early foundation for adapting to life in Korea and connecting with people in the country. "When I first came to Korea, I couldn't speak any Korean," he said. A yearlong language program at Silla Universi

Aug 11, 2026By Jung Da-hyun

GKS becomes gateway to life in Korea for Uzbek scholar

Private schools push back against Korea's free tuition plan for nat'l universities

A government proposal to make tuition free for some 64,000 incoming students at national universities next year is facing mounting opposition from private universities. Critics warn the policy could put private institutions at a further disadvantage in attracting students and deepen their financial struggles. The concerns are particularly acute among private universities outside the Seoul metropolitan area, which are already struggling with declining enrollment and financial pressures while facing continued restrictions on tuition hikes. During a policy briefing at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on Wednesday, the Ministry of Education said it is considering providing full tuition scholarships to some 64,000 freshmen at 30 national universities outside the Seoul metropolitan area beginning in the 2027 academic year. Under the plan, it would gradually expand to cover all undergraduate students at those universities within the current administration's term. International students are not included in the plan, at least for now. Since they are admitted outside the standard enrollment quota and are su

Aug 7, 2026By Jung Da-hyun

Private schools push back against Korea's free tuition plan for nat'l universities

6 universities recognized for supporting int'l student jobs, startups

The Ministry of Education selected six universities on Monday as outstanding performers in employment and startup support for international students, backing schools' efforts amid a rise in foreign enrollment and growing interest among them to settle in Korea. Kyung Hee University and Vision College of Jeonju took the grand prizes, recognized for programs that guide international students from campus to career. Kangwon National University, Kyungbok University, Kyungsung University and Chungnam National University won merit prizes for customized education tied to regional industry needs. At Kyung Hee University, the four-year university category winner, international students' core competencies are certified in stages. Digital badges let students apply their completion records for career planning and job preparation programs, along with competency certifications, directly in job searches. Vision College of Jeonju in North Jeolla Province, the two-year college category winner, attracted talented students through the Saemangeum Hangul School, a Korean language school it runs overseas with t

Jul 27, 2026By Park Ung

6 universities recognized for supporting int'l student jobs, startups

KAFSA calls for shift from recruitment to belonging in university internationalization

Having reached its goal of attracting 300,000 international students two years ahead of schedule, a university international affairs leader emphasized that Korea must now shift its focus from enrollment targets to helping international students build lasting lives in the country. “The focus should no longer be on how many international students Korea attracts, but on how the country can build an inclusive society with them,” said Jin Chang-hyun, chair of the Korean Association of Foreign Students Administrators (KAFSA) and chief of international affairs at Kyonggi University. For years, universities equated internationalization with rising enrollment. But with the number of international students now exceeding 300,000, Jin said that the recruitment-driven model has run its course. “Internationalization is no longer optional. It is a matter of survival for universities,” he said. “But using international students simply to fill empty seats risks higher dropout rates, visa overstays and an exodus of graduates soon after completing their studies.” In response, KAFSA's 2026 visio

Jul 23, 2026By Jung Da-hyun

KAFSA calls for shift from recruitment to belonging in university internationalization

InterviewKorean proficiency opened doors for Moroccan engineer in Korea

Developing fluency in Korean, rather than simply earning a degree, was one of the biggest factors behind Moroccan engineer Hind Rbigui’s successful settlement in Korea. “Studying Korean and regularly taking part in Korean-language speech contests helped me greatly when I was looking for a job and ultimately became one of the most important factors in building a long-term life here,” Rbigui, a Moroccan who recently became a naturalized Korean citizen, said in an interview with The Korea Times. Her interest in Korea was first sparked by a television drama, but soon deepened into a fascination with the country’s rapid economic rise. “As an industrial engineering student, I wanted to understand how Korea had achieved such remarkable development in such a short period,” she said. “I felt I had to come and see it for myself.” Rbigui came to Korea in 2014 under the Korean Government Scholarship Program, now known as the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS). After a year of Korean-language training at Inha University, she pursued a doctorate in industrial engineering at the University

Jul 22, 2026By Jung Da-hyun

Korean proficiency opened doors for Moroccan engineer in Korea

QS names Seoul world's best student city for 2nd year

Seoul has been named the world’s best student city for the second consecutive year, earning the only perfect score in the QS Best Student Cities 2027 rankings. Korea also strengthened its global presence, with five cities making it onto the list, including first-time entrants Daejeon and Gwangju. With a perfect score of 100, Seoul finished ahead of Tokyo at 98 and London at 97.3, according to QS on Tuesday. The top three remained unchanged from last year, cementing Seoul's position as a leading global higher education hub. Released annually by global higher education consultancy QS, the ranking assesses 150 cities on the strength of their universities, graduate employment prospects, affordability, student diversity, quality of life and feedback from students. Cities must have a population of more than 250,000 and be home to at least two institutions listed in the QS World University Rankings 2027 to be included. The United Kingdom had the strongest representation, with 16 cities in the ranking, followed by the United States with 14, mainland China with 10 and Australia with seven. Kore

Jul 21, 2026By Jung Da-hyun

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