The federal government will expand the university quota to 1,829 next yr to nurture talent in high-tech fields reminiscent of semiconductors and artificial intelligence (AI). Of those, 817 (44.7%) will increase at universities within the metropolitan area.

The Ministry of Education (Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Lee Joo-ho) announced on the twenty seventh that it might finalize the outcomes of quota adjustments for high-tech fields and health and medical fields of general universities for the 2024 academic yr and notify each university.

Amongst them, a complete of 7041 students (33 universities, 218 departments) applied for net increase within the high-tech field, of which 5734 students (81.4%) from 21 universities within the metropolitan area and 1307 students (18.6%) from 13 universities within the non-metropolitan area applied.

For the evaluation, 36 evaluators chosen 4 basic indicators: connection between specialization, local industry, and related departments, curriculum reorganization, excellence in securing teachers, and conditions for possessing experimental and practical equipment. He explained that the need of the university, reminiscent of convergence efforts, was considered together.

Specifically, within the metropolitan area, only top-ranking departments in each field were subject to extend, and native universities, in the event that they met the eligibility and requirements, were allocated quota as much as possible, but cases where the screening rating was below the usual were excluded.

Because of this, the metropolitan area increased the number of scholars by 817 in 19 departments and 1012 in 31 departments within the provinces. In comparison with applications, the metropolitan area increased by 14.2% and the provincial area by 77.4%.

By field, the semiconductor field, which goals to extend the undergraduate quota by 2027, accounted for the biggest variety of 654 students in 14 departments, followed by 195 students in 7 departments within the AI ​​field, 103 students in 6 departments within the SW/communication field, and energy/latest materials. 276 students in 7 departments, 339 students in 11 departments in the sector of future cars and robots, and 262 students in 5 departments within the bio field were chosen.

An official from the Ministry of Education said, “Within the case of graduate school quota adjustment in December of last yr, universities within the metropolitan area increased the number, but the colleges adjusted the dimensions of the rise to an appropriate level to keep up a balance between the metropolitan area and regional universities and to reduce problems attributable to large-scale increases within the short term.” Accordingly, universities within the metropolitan area took into consideration the screening results and chosen only the highest 3-4 departments in each field as targets for the rise.”

Based on the outcomes of the quota adjustment, each university will apply to the Korea Council for University Education to vary the 2024 admissions implementation plan, and after approval from the Korea University Student Council, the applying guidelines based on the modified implementation plan can be announced by the top of May.

Reporter Lim Dae-jun ydj@aitimes.com