Pukyong National University

"An urgent need to establish a medical college to nurture radiologic medical experts."
Pukyong National University held 'Policy Debate for the establishment of a Radiologic Medical College'

△ The presenters and panelists conduct policy discussions and questions. ⓒPhoto by Lee Sung-jae (PR team)

Pukyong National University (President Kim Young-seup) formalized the construction of a radiologic medical college at the Gijang Radiologic Medical Science General Industrial Complex, and held a policy debate on the establishment of a radiologic medical College at Somin Hall on the 2nd floor of the Mirae Building on January 20th.

The event was organized by Pukyong National University to spread consensus on the necessity of building a medical school and to discuss specific measures and cooperation with the community.

100 people including medical experts, attended the keynote presentations and discussions of experts following the progress reports and presentations by Jeong Geun-joo, Pukyong National University's Planning Commissioner, and Yang Hee-chang, Director of the Safety City Bureau.

In his presentation on the 'necessity and feasibility of establishing a radiological medical college', Son Dong-Woon, a professor of industry-university cooperation at Pukyong National University, insisted, “The establishment of a radiologic medical college is essential to nurture radiation medical experts and convergent doctors and medical scientists.” .

"We need to prepare for the international competition in advanced radiology, as global market for radiation therapy is growing rapidly, with 20 medical medium particle accelerators operating or being built and 40 proton accelerators.", he said.

"By establishing a radiology medical college in the Gijang radiation medical science complex, which is the largest nuclear power plant in Korea, and building an ecosystem of radiation research, industry, medical care and education, it can become a world class radiation medical science cluster.", he stressed.

Busan has the lowest number of doctors per thousand population, with 2.23, which is the smallest among the top five cities in the country. In addition, one of the reasons for the construction of a medical college in Gijang is that the medical college student numbers per 1,000 applicants. in Gyeongnam area, Ulsan, Busan for college entrance exams are the lowest in the country.

Another keynote speaker, Jeong Hyeong-seon, professor at Health Science College of Yonsei University, said in his presentation titled 'Prospects and Issues in Medical Supply and Demand in Korea', “In terms of international comparison, Korea's medical personnel are absolutely in short supply.” “In terms of international comparison, Korea's medical personnel are in absolute shortage.”

He pointed out, “In response to the aging of most OECD countries, medical college enrollment has increased, with the average number of medical graduates per 100,000 population in OECD countries in 2015 increasing to 12.1 on average. But South Korea, on the contrary, has continued to reduce and freeze the medical college student numbers, so only the half, 6 students.”

Following the keynote presentation, Kang Bo-seon, Director of Nuclear Power of National Project Headquarters of National Research Foundation, Professor Chae Jong-seo, Dept. of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Sungkyunkwan University, and Nam Jeong-eun, head of the Clean Energy Industry Department in Busan Metropolitan City, gave a discussion and question and answer.

Meanwhile, Pukyong National University and Gijang will sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the construction of a medical college in the Gijang Radiologic Medical Science General Industrial Complex in April. The Busan Metropolitan Government will cooperate with the Busan Institute for policy research to revitalize the general medical complex for radiation medicine and science for 5 months. <Pukyong Today>


△ Participants in the policy debate are taking commemorative photos.