PNU and BNUE Hand In Hand for Integration

Pusan National University (PNU) finally agreed to merge with Busan National University of Education (BNUE) and submitted an application for integration to the Ministry of Education (MOE). This is the fastest movement taken among the integrated model universities designated for the “Glocal University 30” project, taking only about five months since the launch of the Integration Promotion Committee (IPC).

On April 23rd, the Integration Agreement Signing Ceremony was held and attended by the presidents and officials of PNU and BNUE, on the second floor of Woon Jook Jung, The presidents of both universities signed the integration agreement and announced that the final integrated system was decided after gathering opinions. The “Integrated Pusan National University,” which is only awaiting final integration approval through review, aims to be launched on March 1st, 2027.

Upon the integration, both universities will have new names. Under the name “Pusan National University,” the current BNUE will be called “Yeonje Campus,” and current PNU Busan Campus will be called “Geumjeong Campus.” It appears that the new district-level name was given in consideration of the fact that both universities are located in the same city.

Yeonje Campus will be created as an “educational specialized campus”’ and an “open campus” that integrates educational functions (reported by “Channel PNU” on April 4th, 2024). BNUE will be reorganized into the “College of Education,” which is PNU’s 16th college, and all education-related institutions such as Education Specialization Headquarters, Education Institution for School Teachers, Institute of Continuing Education, Graduate School of Education, etc. will be integrated and operated through the Yeonje Campus. In addition, the construction of an “open campus” where ordinary citizens can also use the campus was discussed, taking advantage of the geographical advantage of the current BNUE site, which is highly accessible to Busan citizens. The Research and Business Development Foundation was also decided to be relocated to the Yeonje Campus.

The integration plan is scheduled to undergo a review process by the MOE and be approved at the end of this year or early next year. The IPC, co-chaired by the presidents of both universities, announced that it will prepare a detailed implementation plans as soon as the approval is completed and an implementation agreement between the Minister of MOE and the presidents of the universities is signed. Since its launch in November of last year, the IPC has continued discussions for seven times on measures to take for each university, including integration purpose and specialization plans, reorganization of the university’s operating systems, reorganization of academic structures, improvement of educational conditions, annually required budgets, and action plans for each existing university.

At the signing ceremony, PNU President Cha Jeong-In said, “The meaning of the integration of PNU and BNUE is broad and deep. Bold innovation through cooperation with the region and industry will be a driving force that will grow the “Integrated Pusan National University” into a global innovative university recognized around the world.” BNUE President Park Soo-Jah also said,  “The Yeonje Campus, which integrates all facilities related to teacher training, will not only foster teachers with future capabilities, but will also solve ongoing educational issues in Korea, and serve as a foundation for Busan to develop into a world-class future education city by developing various educational contents.”

Reporter Im Hyeon-Gyu

Translated by Thadar-Soe