(Unofficial translation)

It’s very nice to meet you all, the presidents of state-run universities. I think it's the first time to bring the heads of national universities from all parts of the country together at Cheong Wa Dae. I’d like to express my gratitude for sparing some of your precious time. 

I’ve invited you because I wanted to hear firsthand what you presidents have to say. If you share your opinions concerning policy – be it the education provided by our country’s colleges or the role of national universities – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Yoo Eun-hae will reply to matters that can be answered right away. With regard to matters that can’t be answered immediately, it will take some more time for review before reflecting them when formulating and implementing new policies going forward. I hope you will feel at ease today.

While delivering my greetings, I’d first like to make several requests. Above all, I believe universities are the places to prepare for the future. They are already playing significant roles by educating, conducting research and nurturing talented individuals all for the future. In particular, state-run universities play even greater roles. In this regard, I’d like to make two requests. 

First of all, I request that state-run universities in each region serve as a hub for regional innovation. The “flagship” national universities and other “central” state-run universities in each region already play such a role. I’d like to express my appreciation for this, and I ask you to strive to enhance your roles further.

I hope you’ll play a more active role to ensure that residents in local areas can unquestionably sense that local state-run universities initiate every innovation in their region. The Government will actively support you to this end. 

When local state-run universities and governments serve as a focal point and cooperate with local and industrial communities, the nurturing of the talented individuals needed in local areas and regional innovations will be possible in conjunction with balanced national development. I believe that the combination of all such regional innovations translates into the Republic of Korea’s innovation. In this regard, I propose that state-run universities in local areas work together in partnership with the Government.   

Second, with the advent of the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, our society and economy are undergoing rapid changes in all aspects. At this juncture, what we need precisely is future convergence-oriented research with the nurturing of the requisite professionals. We also need convergence that helps tear down the walls separating academic disciplines and fields, such as the wall between arts and sciences.

Universities are already making great efforts. However, I believe that there’s still much to do. The walls between academic disciplines and fields must be lowered further to enable convergence-focused research. 

In actuality, the Government feels the same way concerning that issue. Some of you might have been involved with state affairs. Unlike in the past when one particular ministry dealt with specified tasks, nowadays most of the government’s tasks are rather intertwined so that they require cooperation among various ministries and agencies. Still, the duties of each different ministry and agency are strictly separated as in the past, so the barriers existing between different government organizations often serve as huge stumbling blocks when it comes to cooperation in state affairs overall.    

Therefore, I believe it is an enormous task for the Government to lower such partitions between ministries even a little, and universities should also lower the partitions between different studies and majors as well. I hope that we can work together in these areas as well. If policy-related support from the Government is needed, we will provide assistance in a more resolute manner. 

I would also like to make some requests connected to current affairs. As you know, these days, localizing technology and helping small and medium-sized enterprises involved in materials and parts production to develop source technology have become crucial national tasks. Many universities are now playing diverse roles by creating relevant technology support groups or forming development support groups. I express my gratitude in that respect. Moreover, I ask you to engage in such endeavors more actively and vigorously. I promise that if necessary, the Government will provide as much assistance as possible through budgetary support for R&D at universities.  

In addition, an amendment to the Higher Education Act regarding adjunct lecturers will take effect at the start of the second semester. Though designed to guarantee their positions and improve their treatment, paradoxically, it has reduced the number of positions available to them. It is very worrisome. Amid such a situation, national universities have shown initiative by keeping as many lecturers as possible employed, and markedly fewer have been let go at national universities than at private universities. National universities are making a lot of efforts in this regard. I express my appreciation for this and ask you to take more interest in the issue. I’d like to see us work together to help sustain adjunct lecturers’ employment. 

Many point out numerous problems with the education system in our country. Nonetheless, it’s difficult to deny the fact that the strength of our education has led to the development of today’s Korea. I believe that – as a country lacking natural resources – the strength of the human resources created by education has helped the Republic of Korea advance as much as it has. Our universities are at the center of all of this. I extend my gratitude once more and my respect for the roles universities have played.      
         
The world has noted the achievements of Korea’s education system. Former U.S. President Barrack Obama often cited Korea’s system as a very successful case, and the stories became fairly well known. When I was on my state visit to Finland last time, the Finns said that their country and Korea seem to have completely different approaches, but the two countries have made remarkable accomplishments globally in terms of education. Both lack natural resources, but the strengths of the human resources that were nurtured through education have helped them achieve outstanding economic development. The Finns found a lot in common between our two countries in this regard. 

However, although our education system has done very well, there’s no guarantee that it will be able to continue to play a role in taking the lead in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution going forward. I believe that our education system will only be fully capable of performing that role if it innovates or transforms a great deal by itself. Again, I believe that national universities, as well as all of you presidents, must play central roles.  

I express my appreciation once more for your being here today. I’m looking forward to you sharing candid opinions that can help advance our education. 

Thank you.