National Andong University and Gyeongbuk Provincial University will merge to launch as National Kyungguk University on March 1.
The Ministry of Education noted on the 18th that it reviewed and approved a partial amendment bill for the 'National School Establishment Ordinance' and the 'University Establishment and Operation Regulations' to support the merger of the two universities during a Cabinet meeting.
Earlier, the two universities applied for the merger to the Ministry of Education in October 2023. Subsequently, the Ministry of Education approved it after the review by the merger review committee in June last year. This is the first case of a merger between a national university and a public university.
The amendment bill approved that day includes transitional provisions for the name change of the university and protective measures for the members of the dissolved Gyeongbuk Provincial University.
First, the name of the merged university will be changed from National Andong University to National Kyungguk University in the National School Establishment Ordinance.
In addition, students enrolled at National Andong University at the time the revised ordinance comes into effect will be considered enrolled in the corresponding departments at National Kyungguk University. Those who have been permitted to enroll at National Andong University before the enactment will also be considered as having been permitted to enroll at National Kyungguk University.
However, those who wish to can graduate as students of National Andong University according to the school regulations of National Kyungguk University.
Students who are enrolled in the existing Gyeongbuk Provincial University, which is being dissolved, and those who have been allowed to enroll before the implementation of the revised ordinance will be deemed to remain at the same school until February 28, 2030.
Faculty and teaching assistants currently working at Gyeongbuk Provincial University will be considered as appointed faculty and teaching assistants of National Kyungguk University.
Lee Joo-ho, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, said, "National Kyungguk University will lead innovation in education and research as a glocal university and fulfill its role as a hub for regional development, and I will not spare my interest and support for this."
At the Cabinet meeting that day, a revised implementation ordinance of the 'Special Education Law for Persons with Disabilities, etc.' amended on February 27 last year was also reviewed and approved. This regulation specifies the medical support range that medical personnel can provide to special education recipients within schools, including suction, tube feeding, intermittent urinary discharge using a drainage tube, and nursing for students using ventilators.
This Deputy Prime Minister said, "It is expected that the special education conditions will be significantly improved by establishing a foundation for students with disabilities who require constant medical support to receive professional assistance from medical personnel within schools."