<#275 In-depth Report>
Following the articles about CNU integration in our 267th and 270th issue published last year, Chonnam Tribune now takes a look at in one year on. - Ed.
One year has passed since Chonnam National University (CNU) was merged with Yeosu National University (YNU) and the new CNU was born as of March 1, 2006. CNU has undergone numerous trials and errors during this time in its aim to strengthen its competitiveness as a leading university in the global age.
Changes on campus
As the integration of CNU and YNU was undertaken pursuant to governmental policy without the agreement of all constituents, controversial issues were raised in relation to it during the integration. However, CNU has changed and many advantages have accrued in several ways. The following summarizes the changes that have occurred in our university since its rebirth.
First, the outstanding change is the restructuring of academic departments. More than 50 % of similar type major subjects at Gwangju and Yeosu were supposed to be replaced altogether or else combined with similar or overlapping departments in order to restructure certain departments last year. However, 14 similar and overlapping departments have been completely integrated into the Dept. of Public Administration. In the case of other departments, distance-learning lectures are used on both campuses.
Second, the faculty system was reorganized. Kang Jung-chaee, the president of CNU stays in the presidency and Lee Sam-roh, the president of YNU was appointed as vice-president of CNU. Other faculty compositions have changed with rational proportion between the two campuses.
Third, in the case of policies related to student affairs, a scholarship ratio is applied to each respective campus in portion to the number of students it contains. Also, freshmen are subject to follow newly adopted curricula instruction from 2006. For instance, all CNU students are supposed to take required courses such as Global English and Writing as part of their degree.
Consequently, the academic performance of freshmen on Yeosu campus is getting better. According to the result of research conducted by Yeosu campus, the rate of registration is 60 percent higher than before integration. The result indicates that more freshmen who obtained high marks at high school have applied to Yeosu than in previous years.
Besides, it’s possible to promote various projects by expanding support funds such as “Nu-ri” project and BK 21. Therefore, more students can benefit from scholarships and receive a higher-quality education. On the other hand, integration reduced the overall number of students admitted to the schools and this has lead to increased tuition fees.
Improvements we need
Despite these changes CNU still has many challenges to be overcome. First of all, a lack of harmony and cooperation still exists among professors, students and staff members. Since amalgamation, many students on both campuses have experienced considerable inconvenience during registration because of CNU websites crashing.
Most students on Yeosu campus couldn’t apply for good programs such as Exchange Student and Tutoring due to a lack of information on programs offered here at our university. Furthermore, tuition fees are going to increase further for the upcoming semester and it has caused students to cry out against this.
Moreover, the administrative building under construction and the polarization of management systems like having two different students’ associations on each campus caused students more difficulty. The merger and acquisition of many similar departments have also made students’ lives more confusing. These matters must be addressed without any further delay.
The advantages of integration
Nowadays, not enough students enroll in our university while numerous colleges get established. What makes it worse is that most high school students have tendency to enter universities in the National Capital Region of Korea. It is time for us to consider some countermeasures.
If we just settle for the present position, it is only a matter of time before CNU collapses into just a small ordinary university. Therefore, it is inevitable to integrate with other universities in order to compete with universities in the National Capital Region.
So far, CNU has been through lots of changes since 2006. First of all, our university can obtain a strategic foothold as a hub of this region and this can boost our university's reputation. Secondly, for the main part students on Yeosu campus, come to have a higher standard of education. Thirdly, CNU could receive higher subsidies from the government on grounds of integration.
In fact, the government is supposed to pay 8,568 million won, 10,108 million won, 8,573 million won and 3,718 million won respectively for the four years from 2005 to 2008. The amount of money will be used in three fields as follows: one is to build infra system. Another is to raise the competitive power of CNU and the third is to develop specialization within CNU.
Lastly, we examined the process of restructuring in a bid to raise CNU academic institutions to rate as one of Korea’s world-ranking universities.
What will be changed?
It is obvious that much of the intended work from last year has not been completed to date. For example, it was expected to build an Oriental Medical Graduate School at Yeosu last year, but it ended up failing to get planning permission.
From now on, it is time for us to take action on improving CNU as one of our prestigious universities. Many stumbling blocks will have to be overcome. To surmount the difficulties, we have to undertake much more persistent efforts until our university takes a firm hold on the nation.
To begin with, the two student councils on each campus have to be united as one. One representative body which can help students on both campuses to consul and exchange information is desirable. Second, CNU has to develop specific fields which can be its strongpoint.
We ought to offer special and professional education to gifted students. According to the Division of Student Affairs, the field of oceanography is in the process of being specialized on Yeosu campus. Thirdly, CNU plans to extend the number of programs which can assist students to become capable leaders of our society, said Moon Seoung-ju, the chairman of this Division.
In fact, the “Leadership program” is now open to more students than before. Accommodation capacity will be doubled from 30 to 60, including that for Yeosu campus students.
Attitude for preparing future
The role of university is to help students develop their potential power and to provide them with high quality education as a place of learning and an ivory tower of truth. Moreover, professors, staff members and students should combine their forces and wisdom and cooperate with each other.
It is certain that this period is not that final stage but just a preparatory one. If we make efforts to get over obstacles, we can leap forward. Gwangju and Yeosu campuses will be harmonized through true understanding and consideration under the one name, CNU.
An old maxim states, “The frog in the well knows nothing of the great ocean.” We all have great hidden potential power and it’s time to escape from the small well and venture out onto the great ocean. The key to making a successful voyage depends on future attitudes and constant efforts.
As a regional hub, it is our responsibility whether we can make CNU work or not. If we deal with it well, it is sure that the synergy effect will be tremendous.