InterviewPusan National University touts regional schools as engines of growth, global competitiveness

Pusan National University President Choi Jae-weon speaks during an interview with The Korea Times at the university's main building in Geumjeong District, Busan, Aug. 18. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

Rather than simply following the footsteps of other institutions, Pusan National University is carving out its own path to boost global competitiveness with a model it calls “the Pusan Way.”

“Our goal is not to imitate other global universities but to establish our own model of internationalization,” Pusan National University President Choi Jae-weon said in a recent interview with The Korea Times.

He explained that the university aims to stay rooted in the local community while remaining connected to the world, combining public responsibility with innovation.

“As both a regional hub and a member of the global academic community, our university will continue to put forward a new model of leadership on the international stage,” he added.

Choi also underscored the value of globalization for both the school and its members, stressing that international exposure is key to growth.

“International experiences and active engagement on the global stage enrich an individual’s life,” he said. “For universities, globalization means providing opportunities for members to engage globally, understand their roles in the world and recognize how they can contribute.”

Lee Chang-hwan, dean of Pusan National University International, explains the university's globalization plan at a council chamber at the campus in Busan, June 3. Courtesy of Pusan National University

Marking its 80th anniversary, the university unveiled its globalization plan, pledging to transform itself into a distinctive, world-class institution that can steer Korea’s future in the age of artificial intelligence. The plan is anchored in four core values: excellence, representation, diversity and prestige.

Choi stressed the importance of the government’s “creating 10 Seoul National Universities” initiative, calling it a critical step toward strengthening higher education in the region and ensuring balanced national development.

He emphasized that regional national universities outside Seoul and the metropolitan area, including Incheon and Gyeonggi Province, should sharpen their competitiveness by evolving into research-driven institutions.

The initiative has emerged as a major issue in Korea's higher education debate, amid growing concern that the dominance of Seoul's educational facilities is deepening regional disparities.

The government argues that raising the standards of national universities to match Seoul National University, widely considered the country’s premier institution, could serve as a key driver of balanced national development.

An aerial view of Pusan National University / Courtesy of Pusan National University

Choi stressed that boosting the university’s competitiveness will require building a strong research base, with the goal of breaking into the world’s top 100 in select disciplines. He said the university aims to distinguish itself by taking the lead in pioneering fields.

“Pusan National University is not just pursuing academic exchanges with overseas institutions. Our goal is to set global standards and help shape the future of education and research,” he said.

He added that a strong global presence requires not only academic accomplishments but also strategic partnerships.

“What really matters is the company we keep — which universities Pusan National University is aligned with and mentioned alongside,” Choi said.

He underscored the need to build a solid foundation for the university to grow into a truly prestigious institution while at the same time raising its international profile.

Presidents of Association of Pacific Rim Universities member schools pose during an annual meeting at the University of California San Diego, Calif. U.S., June 25. Courtesy of Pusan National University

A central part of that strategy, he said, is deeper engagement with the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU), a consortium of leading research universities around the world. By expanding joint research projects and strengthening ties within this global network, the university hopes to bolster its research capacity.

Pusan National University joined APRU as the sixth Korean member, alongside Seoul National University, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Korea University and Yonsei University.

“Through APRU, we will create more opportunities for student exchanges, enabling our students to connect with peers from top universities worldwide and broaden their global learning experiences,” Choi said.

Choi said he envisions the university becoming a magnet for both Korean and international students by building world-class strengths in select research fields.

“In the United States, students typically pick universities for their academic or research strengths rather than their location. In Korea, geography still tends to come first. Our goal is to shift that mindset,” he said.

As part of this strategy, the university has designated five priority research fields where it seeks to build a global edge. The areas include marine climate technology, defense technology, semiconductors for extreme environments, total food technology and K-culture.

The university opened APEC APRU Marine Climate Technology Center in December last year, and has since been engaged in academic exchange programs with APRU.

In the defense sector, the university signed a memorandum of understanding in June with the Korean Naval Academy to foster policy collaboration in defense research and development and launched its own defense technology research center, taking a major step toward establishing leadership in the industry.

The university has also set up dedicated institutes for total food technology and K-culture, and plans to identify five more specialized fields to further concentrate resources and strengthen its research profile.

In addition, Choi emphasized that for a university to be genuinely research-centered, it must assume roles akin to those of government-funded institutes in a move he said would provide a crucial edge in competitiveness.

“With focused investment in specialized fields, we can create a virtuous cycle — attracting people to study here, keeping them engaged in research, and ultimately encouraging them to settle in the region,” he said.

Emphasizing the role of regional national universities as hubs, he said the goal is to collaborate with nearby institutions to attract international students and direct talent into specialized fields more strategically.

Choi added that government support for regional universities should be viewed not as aid to a single institution, but as an investment in the growth of the entire region.

“Our goal is to build a university that stays rooted in the region while competing on the global stage — a hub that connects talent with the strengths of local institutions,” he said.

Graphic by Bae So-young