대학신문방송국

Discussion of HBNU, CNU Integration

By Bae So-young Editor-in-chief, Junior of English Language and Literature

          Discussion of integration between HBNU and Chungnam National University (CNU) is a hot potato in the educational field. Students may receive the news through surfing the internet or from the campus news. The following includes information about integration and its background.

What is university integration?

          There are three types of structural reform of national universities: University alliance, university alliance incorporation, and university integration. Specifically, HBNU and CNU are discussing university integration.

As the table above states, university integration means more than two national universities transform into a single university. There are two types of university integration: One-to-one integration and absorption integration. One-to-one integration means equally integrating, and absorption integration means one university absorbed into the other. For example, Gyeongnam National University of Science and Technology was absorbed into Gyeongsang University and integrated as Gyeongsang National University.

Background of university integration of HBNU and CNU

          The background of university integration between HBNU and CNU is because of the decrease in the number of the school-age population. The birth rate became a serious problem because the more the birth rate decreases, the more the school-age population decreases. According to ‘University Alarmy,’ only 39 out of 187 universities met a 100 percent recruitment rate in 2022, in South Korea.This means 20 percent of universities unfulfilled the recruitment rate. Among them, national universities were a high proportion. To overcome this situation, the ‘scale’ of the university became the main key. Therefore, HBNU and CNU started discussing university unification.

The positive aspect of university integration

          Some assert there will be positive changes to each university and the prospect of the local national university. If integration is achieved, an integrated university will have a larger scale than before. Specifically, the number of full-time professors is estimated to be 1,194, which is the same level as Pusan National University and Kyungpook National University, and the number of students is estimated to be 26,459, which is the largest number of students in the country. As mentioned earlier, due to the rapid decrease in the school-age population, the ‘scale’ of the university became a competitive factor. Moreover, the integrated university can strengthen competitiveness in the educational and research fields. Also, students can have diverse educational opportunities and a positive impact on regional development, too.

Concern of integration

          On the other hand, some are concerned about the negative changes of unification. According to the survey of CNU, in which 37 percent of undergraduate students participated, in September 2022, 96.3 percent disagreed with the integration. The CNU student council conducted a campaign against integration and even made a CNU altar. Not only CNU but also HBNU have negative opinions about integration. Then why are the HBNU and CNU students disagreeing?

| Concern for absorption integration

          First, some concern about absorption integration, which can lose each university’s characteristics. As mentioned before, there are two types of university integration: One-to-one integration and absorption integration. Students are concerned about absorption integration because there are no specific countermeasures for overlapping departments and the name of the university.

| Concern for university value declines

         Second, some concern about the decline of the university value. Each university has a unique identity, history, and symbol. If the two universities integrate, the integrated university can derive ‘value declining’ rather than ‘strengthening competitiveness,’ due to the loss of each characteristic.

How to express the opinion

          Some are interested in this topic, but some are indifferent. Some say that they do not want to be deeply involved because the topic is too deep, or lack of information, or the lack of objectivity. Then, is there any way for students to express their opinions?

How to express the opinion

          Some are interested in this topic, but some are indifferent. Some say that they do not want to be deeply involved because the topic is too deep, or lack of information, or the lack of objectivity. Then, is there any way for students to express their opinions?

1)  Participate in the meeting
First, there is a way to participate in the meeting. You can get information about the meeting through the website of HBNU. Since the meeting is held to share opinions among students and collect opinions, it is possible to actively present opinions.

Meeting held in HBNU conference hall (March 21, 2023)

2) HBNU Website

Second, students can use the HBNU website to express their ideas. When you enter the website of HBNU, there is a community that allows students to express their opinions and provide information about the university unification. Students who cannot participate in the meetings or students who want to use the community could access it by the below QR code.

   Discussion about university integration between HBNU and CNU will make a big difference and various arguments. However, it is clear that the collection of opinions from HBNU and the establishment of integrated values will have desirable consequences. Why don’t you express your opinion by participating in the meetings or posting your opinions on the HBNU website?