Declining enrollments force Korean universities to fight for survival

Korean universities are increasingly pursuing mergers and introducing vocational programs to address the growing crisis of the country’s low birthrate and declining enrollment, two key issues that are putting additional financial pressure on these educational institutions.
Experts agree that these changes are inevitable, but concerns are rising that the restructuring could undermine diversity and competitiveness in higher education. They caution that shifting the focus to universities as job training centers might limit the range of academic disciplines and weaken the overall educational environment.
According to the Korean Council for University Education, the number of university entrants is projected to fall from 440,000 in 2023 to just 260,000 by 2040. Since 2021, the number of university applicants has been falling short of university admissions quotas.
In addition to shrinking student numbers, universities outside the capital are finding it difficult to attract students due to the dominance of higher education institutions in the Seoul Metropolitan Area.
As a survival strategy, many institutions are opting to merge.
Mokpo National University and Sunchon National University, both located in South Jeolla Province, submitted merger applications to the Ministry of Education last month. Through the merger, the universities aim to establish a medical school and an affiliated hospital — an ambition long pursued by the province located in southwestern Korea.
Kangwon National University and Gangneung–Wonju National University, located in northeastern Korea's mountainous Gangwon Province, are currently in negotiations to merge by 2026. The combined institution aims to strengthen its role as a key educational force in the region by focusing on specialized academic disciplines across its campuses.
Chungbuk National University and the Korea National University of Transportation, located in North Chungcheong Province in central Korea, are also planning to merge by March 2027.
In South Chungcheong Province, Chungnam National University and Kongju National University signed a memorandum of understanding last month and are speeding up discussions on a potential merger.
The pushes for university mergers and specialization have gained momentum, particularly after the government introduced financial support for selected "glocal" universities.
The term "glocal," a blend of "global" and "local," highlights the importance of preserving regional identity while adapting to the wider process of globalization.
Starting in 2023, the Ministry of Education launched a policy allocating 100 billion won ($69.62 million) over five years to 30 selected universities outside of Seoul, with the goal of strengthening both the schools and their surrounding communities. This initiative represents the largest single-university subsidy in the ministry’s financial support programs.
Universities selected for the program designate specialized fields of study and partner with leading companies in their respective geographic areas to boost the region's economic vitality.
Source : https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2025/01/113_391084.html |