20 September 2023
By Daeun Lee
South Korea’s higher education landscape is in the middle of a profound transformation, grappling with a significant drop in student enrollment. The crisis has triggered a surge in innovative solutions and visionary strategies to rejuvenate the problem. Notably, South Korean universities, are experiencing a cascading effect of closures in various regions due to a shortage of students.
Several factors contribute to this enrollment crisis, including a declining birthrate, which will cause greater problems as Korea will lack newborns, and evolving career preferences, such as medical studies. To address these challenges, universities such as SCH are adopting flexible academic pathways, making students choose their majors in their sophomore years, and fostering greater academic flexibility and engagement.
However, medium-size institutions, especially face enrollment levels below 1,000 students, or less, and a majority of the students dropping out, are considered to be the target for the 2023 university innovative plan. “대학혁신지업사업” (University Innovation) initiative has unveiled an ambitious 2023 plan. One noteworthy policy involves establishing medical schools in underserved regions, enhancing accessibility to medical education and healthcare services for remote populations, with the construction already underway in Jeollanamdo province.
In conclusion, South Korean universities are at a critical juncture, addressing declining enrollments with innovation and foresight. Adapting to shifting demographics and student preferences, these institutions are committed to ensuring the continued vibrancy and accessibility of higher education in Korea.