University competitiveness discussed at industry-university-gov't meeting

Seoul--(뉴스와이어)--On May 10, 2007, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Kim Shinil invited Finance Minister Kwon OKyu, leaders of Korea’s five largest business groups, and presidents of major domestic universities to a tripartite "Industry-University-Government Meeting for Enhanced University Competitiveness," where they discussed ways to elevate the competitive strength of higher education and encourage universities to nurture talents that well respond to economic demands.

The meeting came amid growing recognition of the need for companies, universities and the government to collaborate closely for higher education development, under established role divisions. As a part of the collaboration, universities would provide high-quality education that reflects up-to-date social and economic needs. The government would devise strategies and supportive measures to enhance university competitiveness and increase higher education finance. The industrial sector would work to make its needs better understood and accommodated by universities, and extend support to nurture qualified university graduates.

Various schemes were discussed at the meeting, such as conducting a survey on how well university seniors are equipped with basic skills required in the world of work. There were also proposals to survey how companies are training new recruits, how much it costs to retrain employees, what key competencies they seek in an employee, and how satisfied they are with the education provided at universities.

Participants shared the need to work together for improve the university evaluation system, and include more business figures in the evaluation process so as to diversity criteria and reflect more industrial viewpoints. In addition, lively discussions took place on ways to secure finance for the higher education sector, with schemes such as loosening regulations on the asset management of universities, supporting universities’ pursuit of profits, and building infrastructure to attract more private donation.

The three sides agreed to hold regular meetings every half year, and operate an ‘Executive Committee” composed of director-general level personnel as a channel for continued dialogue.

웹사이트: http://www.moe.go.kr

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