InterviewChonnam National University steps up global recruitment with stronger student support

Chonnam National University President Lee Keun-bae speaks during an interview with The Korea Times at the university's campus in Gwangju, Feb. 12. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

As regional universities step up efforts to attract and retain international students beyond the Seoul metropolitan area, Chonnam National University is seeking to position itself at the forefront — offering cradle-to-career support from admission through long-term settlement, while building on its expanding strengths in semiconductors and artificial intelligence (AI).

“Our goal is to further solidify the university’s standing as a prestigious institution that nurtures global talent — one that grows together with the region, reaches out to the world and leads the future,” Chonnam National University President Lee Keun-bae said in a recent interview with The Korea Times.

Declaring this year the launch of a major global leap, the university plans to establish a dedicated Office of International Affairs to consolidate all functions related to globalization.

The new office will integrate responsibilities currently handled by the international cooperation division under the Office of Public Affairs, creating a centralized system to support the university’s growing international student population and broader global engagement efforts.

“Until now, international cooperation has been managed as a division, but with the number of international students steadily increasing, we decided to launch a dedicated office to bring all support systems under one umbrella,” Lee said.

The restructuring will significantly expand staffing, increasing from the current 13 personnel in the division to an estimated 20 to 30 staff members once the office is fully established.

“We believe this change will enable more comprehensive and systematic support for international students while accelerating the university’s globalization efforts,” he said.

International students participating in Chonnam National University’s 2026 International Winter School visit Gwangju Hyanggyo to experience traditional Korean culture, Feb. 12. Courtesy of Chonnam National University

Approximately 2,000 international students — including those enrolled in Korean-language programs, exchange programs and degree courses — are currently studying at the university. The highest proportions of students come from China and Uzbekistan, followed by Vietnam.

To better support them, the university has built an integrated cooperation system connecting all relevant departments and partner institutions, offering what it describes as “comprehensive, life-cycle support” spanning from admission to graduation and onward to long-term settlement.

“We are strengthening coordinated support across campus and with external partners to ensure international students can smoothly pursue their studies and settle into life here,” Lee said.

One of the university’s strongest support measures is housing.

Recognizing that accommodation is often one of the most pressing challenges facing foreign students, Chonnam National University offers dormitory placements to nearly all international students who request them.

In addition, dedicated staff members provide hands-on assistance with immigration-related procedures, including foreigner registration, visa extensions, status changes and part-time work permits. This aims to help international students navigate residency requirements more smoothly.

To support students’ well-being, the university also operates counseling services through its international student office, along with individualized psychological counseling programs aimed at safeguarding their mental health.

Chonnam National University President Lee Keun-bae, seventh from right, attends a plaque-unveiling ceremony with officials and researchers for the university’s joint semiconductor packaging technology research center with Amkor, in Gwangju, Jan. 12. Courtesy of Chonnam National University

In terms of academic competitiveness, the university is redoubling its efforts to recruit top international students and researchers in fields aligned with key regional industries, including AI and future mobility.

It has drawn up a separate recruitment strategy tailored to regional workforce demands, aimed at bringing in overseas students who can contribute to local strategic sectors.

As part of this effort, the university is actively running customized admissions outreach programs to attract graduate students in science and engineering from core target markets — including China, Mongolia, Vietnam and other ASEAN countries.

The university has also recently established a joint research center on semiconductor packaging technologies with global semiconductor manufacturing company Amkor, further strengthening its industry-linked research capabilities.

“The joint research center is equipped with advanced semiconductor packaging facilities, allowing students and researchers to conduct education and research in an environment identical to real industrial sites,” Lee said.

“Building on this infrastructure, we plan to pursue joint research in key national strategic areas, including automotive and AI semiconductor packaging technologies as well as AI-driven intelligent process optimization.”

He also noted that the establishment of the center is significant in that it has created a practical skills development model in which education, research, industry and employment are closely interconnected.

“Students trained at the institute are expected to grow into “industry-ready” professionals capable of stepping directly into the workplace and performing their roles without the need for additional retraining,” he said.

Beyond AI, Lee emphasized the university’s strengths in renewable energy and aerospace launch vehicle technologies, noting that related industries are increasingly clustered in Gwangju and South Jeolla Province, where the university is based.

“While the university has recently demonstrated strong competitiveness in industry-linked fields, it has also long maintained a solid tradition in the humanities,” he said.

International students are able to receive structured Korean language training through the university’s Korean Language Institute, which is overseen by faculty from the Department of Korean Language and Literature.

The G&R Hub dormitory for international students at Chonnam National University in Gwangju / Courtesy of Chonnam National University

Lee highlighted that a regionally based flagship university with global competitiveness should serve as a key driver of regional and national development while simultaneously possessing the capacity to compete confidently with leading universities worldwide in both education and research.

In line with this vision, Lee is placing strong emphasis on expanding support to attract talented students from abroad, including plans to increase scholarship opportunities.

He noted that strengthening student support while expanding exchanges and partnerships with overseas institutions will ultimately enhance the university’s global competitiveness, creating a virtuous cycle in which outstanding students are drawn to the campus.

“A key priority since taking office has been identifying how Chonnam National University can grow beyond its regional base to emerge as a globally competitive institution,” Lee said.

“My goal from the outset has been to chart a path for the university to rise beyond the region and establish itself as a globally competitive institution, advancing into the world’s top 300 and becoming a destination for talented students from around the world.”

He emphasized that globalization strategy serves as a core driver that leads a sweeping shift in talent development.

For domestic students, the university aims to equip them with globally competitive skills that can be applied anywhere in the world, while for high-achieving international students it plans to actively support a growth pathway that extends from study to long-term settlement in the region.

“Through these efforts, we hope not only to enhance the university’s research competitiveness, but also to inject new vitality into local communities facing the threat of population decline,” Lee said.

Graphic by Bae So-young