Pukyong National University

"If two national universities specializing in marine science in Busan integrated, 'Korea marine science KAIST' will be born"

- discussions on integration between PKNU and KMOU in full swing

Ahead of the open participation for glocal universities to be held next year, integration discussions among national universities specializing in marine and fisheries science in the Busan region are expected to begin in earnest.

Jang Young-Soo, President of Pukyong National University, said, "If the two universities, Pukyong National University and Korea maritime and ocean university, which have played a major role in the education and industrial development of Busan, a global maritime city, are integrated, I am expecting that 'marine science KAIST' will be newly born, which will truly lead the specialized field of marine and fisheries science in Korea in the future."

Following the push for integration between Pusan national university and Pusan national university of education, which were selected to participate in the open contest for a glocal university by presenting an educational innovation model this year, integration discussions between Pukyong National University and Korea maritime and ocean university, Busan's other two national universities, took place for the first time in an official setting.

President Jang Young-Soo gave an explanation at the National council of presidents of national and public universities held at Pukyong National University on November 30, "Pukyong National University is responding with an open attitude to discussions related to all innovations, including integration, as we have grown into a prestigious regional university since the country's first successful integration of national universities 27 years ago," he added, "Pukyong National University will make every effort to innovate the university if it helps the development of local industry and higher education."

Following this year's glocal university open participation, several universities were selected to participate in the project on the premise of integration, and with the issue of integration between Pukyong National University and Korea maritime and ocean university emerging ahead of next year's glocal university public participation, other universities will also be affected.

If the integration between Pukyong National University and Korea maritime and ocean university is completed, the enrollment quota will reach 5,000 and the number of possible enrolled students will reach 28,000, and this is expected to create the world's largest national university specialized in the maritime field, surpassing Pusan national university.

If the Pukyong National University, a leader in the fields of fisheries, marine and life sciences, also known as the Korea first specialized university in the field of fisheries, formerly National fisheries university of Busan, and the Korea maritime and ocean university which is a leader in the shipping and port fields, are integrated, there is an expectation that a base institution will be created that will lead the great transformation of Korea's marine and fisheries science and technology in accordance with the 'marine and fisheries science and technology promotion act'.

The two universities are well-equipped with specialized infrastructure for education, R&D, and experts training in the marine and fisheries field, it is expected to create a synergy effect with the Busan region, which is preparing to take a leap forward as a maritime city by establishing a cooperative system with the Ministry of maritime affairs and fisheries, National fisheries research & development institute, and Korea institute of ocean science & technology.

Regarding the integration with Korea maritime and ocean university, Pukyong National University plans to pursue procedures such as public discussion and opinion collection within the university in earnest, while also preparing an integrated model linked to high-technology fields such as digital, semiconductor, finance, AI, and bio as well as the maritime and fisheries field. <Pukyong Today>