Pukyong National University

Pukyong National University Selected as Partner Institution for Humanities and Social Sciences Convergence Talent Development Program

- Consortium Formed with Incheon National University, Sogang University, Daegu University, and Sangji University in the Field of “Inclusive Society”

- Aims to Present Innovative Models for Community Restoration and Inclusive Policy Amid Multi-Layered Societal Conflict

Pukyong National University (President Bae Sang-hoon) has been selected as a partner institution in the ‘2025 Humanities and Social Sciences Convergence Talent Development Program (HUSS),’ funded by the Ministry of Education and the National Research Foundation of Korea, under the newly designated Inclusive Society track.

The Humanities and Social Sciences Convergence Talent Development Program supports the cultivation of interdisciplinary talent by breaking down barriers between departments and universities, with a focus on humanities and social sciences. Since its launch in 2023, eight consortiums have been selected across various themes. In 2025, two new thematic areas―Inclusive Society and Digital Economy―have been added.

Pukyong National University will join a regional consortium led by Incheon National University, along with Sogang University, Daegu University, and Sangji University. Together, the universities will pursue the vision of “Fostering Cultural Mediators for Community Restoration and Social Inclusion in an Era of Multi-Layered Conflict.” The initiative will receive 8.7 billion KRW in funding over the next three years.

The consortium has drawn attention for introducing Korea’s first ‘network-based federated independent college’ model. Under this academic framework, each university will establish a ‘College of Inclusive Society Convergence Studies,’ which will be jointly operated as a single federated academic unit. Notably, the foundational course ‘Introduction to an Inclusive Society’ will be taught through team-teaching by faculty members from all participating institutions.

The program will also include a non-credit component called the ‘Credi-T Learning Community,’ offering students personalized, competency-based learning experiences. Outcomes will be shared through a Capstone Festival and annual academic conference, enhancing practical collaboration with local communities and industry partners.

In the first year, the consortium will focus on institutional development and curriculum design. In the second year, it will launch the College of Inclusive Society Convergence Studies and begin operating a joint curriculum. By the third year, the program will expand to include integrated bachelor’s？master’s pathways and dissemination of outcomes. The goal is to train 600 convergence-based inclusive society specialists in the first year, and a total of 2,900 by the third year.

Pukyong National University will focus its efforts on training ‘conflict coordinators’ and developing a graduate program in inclusive society studies. Conflict coordinators are convergence-based professionals equipped to address modern societal challenges such as low birthrates, aging populations, regional disparity, and migration through legal, policy-driven, and digital approaches.

Professor Cho Se-hyun (Department of History), who leads the Pukyong National University project team, stated, “This initiative brings together four academic departments―History, Social Welfare, Political Science and Diplomacy, and Early Childhood Education―to propose a hands-on, interdisciplinary education model that goes beyond academic integration. The program is designed to tackle real-world issues of complex conflict and inequality in society.” <Pukyong University>