What Is Glocal University 30? A University Support Program for Regional Innovation and Global Competitiveness
Glocal University 30 is a 2023–2027 Korean government initiative giving 30 regional universities up to ₩100 billion each to structurally reform curricula, deepen regional ties, and expand global partnerships.
We have entered an era in which universities must choose “change” in order to survive.
A shrinking school-age population, crises at regional universities, and intensifying global competition are converging — making it nearly impossible for universities to get by with traditional approaches alone.
The program that emerged in this context is Glocal University 30. It draws attention not as a simple funding initiative, but as a major transformation project that completely redesigns the constitution of Korean universities.
Today, we lay out the full picture of Glocal University 30 — from concept and core strategies to current progress and what universities should prepare for next.
What Is Glocal University 30?
Glocal University 30 is a large-scale university innovation program led by the Ministry of Education.
It has two core objectives.
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Strengthen the competitiveness of regional universities
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Build globally competitive education and research systems
The term “Glocal” combines Global and Local — meaning universities that preserve regional characteristics while connecting to the world.
This is not merely a funding program. It is a comprehensive innovation plan that helps universities restructure themselves and create ecosystems linking communities, industries, and international networks.
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Program period: 2023 – 2027
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Number of selected universities: 30 in total
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Maximum support per university: approximately KRW 100 billion
At this scale, it is not just a project — it is a change at the level of redesigning a university’s future strategy.
Selection by Year
(Based on announcements through 2026)
| Year | Selected Universities |
|---|---|
| 2023 | Kangwon National University & Gangneung-Wonju National University, Gyeongsang National University, Pusan National University & Busan National University of Education, Sunchon National University, Andong National University & Gyeongbuk Provincial College, University of Ulsan, Jeonbuk National University, Chungbuk National University & Korea National University of Transportation, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Hallym University |
| 2024 | Konyang University, Kyungpook National University, Mokpo National University, Changwon National University & Gyeongnam Geochang College & Gyeongnam Namhae College & Korea Lift College, Dong-A University & Dongseo University, Daegu Health College & Gwangju Health University & Daejeon Health Institute of Technology, Daegu Haany University, Wonkwang University & Wonkwang Health Science University, Inje University, Handong University |
| 2025 | Kyungsung University, Soonchunhyang University, Chonnam National University, Jeju National University, Chosun University & Chosun Nursing College, Chungnam National University & Kongju National University (integrated), Hanseo University |
| 2026 | 5 additional universities to be selected |
Universities are selected in stages each year, and this is a long-horizon program aimed at improving the overall constitution of Korean higher education.
Core Strategies of Glocal University 30
1) University Structural Innovation
Moving away from department-centric operations,
the goal is to build problem-solving and interdisciplinary education systems.
Example)
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Existing: Mechanical Engineering / Environmental Studies
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Restructured: School of Climate Crisis Response / School of Smart Agriculture Convergence
This change is a structural reorganization that answers the question:
“Can students actually solve real-world social problems?”
2) Strengthening Regional Linkages
Glocal University 30 views regional universities not as simple educational institutions but as hubs of regional innovation.
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Joint curriculum operation with local governments
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Industry-academia programs linked with regional industries
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Projects to solve local issues
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Hiring and entrepreneurship ecosystems for regional settlement
Through these structures, universities build models that grow together with their regions.
3) Strengthening Global Competitiveness
Ensuring that regional universities are not disconnected from the international stage is also a core strategy.
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Joint degree programs with overseas universities
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Attracting foreign faculty and international students
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Expansion of English-medium instruction
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Building international joint research platforms
In other words, the goal is to create a bridgehead that maintains a regional base while leaping to a world-class level.
Funding Structure and Selection Criteria
The key is whether a university can sustain innovation on its own
Selected universities receive approximately KRW 100 billion in support and invest it in the following areas:
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Curriculum redesign and establishment of new schools
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Smart campus infrastructure development
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Industry-academia-research joint research
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Strengthening regional linkage projects
The four core selection criteria are as follows.
- 1 Innovation Intent and Execution Capability — Does the university itself intend to drive structural reform?
- 2 Level of Community Cooperation — Do local governments and industry participate in the curriculum and growth strategy?
- 3 Realism of Global Strategy — Are execution plans for exchange students, international joint programs, and English tracks actually feasible?
- 4 Sustainability — Does the university have a structure to continue innovation on its own after the program ends?
For example, Jeju National University is preparing for the establishment of an International Environmental College and a carbon-neutral-centered education system, grounded in the region’s identity as a “carbon-neutral island.”
Models that combine regional characteristics with global trends in this way clearly illustrate the direction of Glocal University 30.
In the Glocal Era, What Should Universities Prepare?
Glocal University 30 is now becoming a reference point that redefines the future strategy of Korean universities — beyond a simple program.
Universities are no longer institutions centered on knowledge transmission.
Going forward, they must function as open platforms that connect regions, industries, and the world in order to remain competitive.
And amid this shift, “how to prove educational outcomes” is becoming all the more important.
A Technology That Strengthens University Innovation: The Digital Badge
Kolleges provides a digital badge–based outcome certification system so that the innovation strategies universities pursue can translate into tangible results.
Why Digital Badges Are Needed
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Curriculum reforms don’t spread if their outcomes aren’t visible
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Transparent certification of student competencies is required for global exchange, employment, and industry-academia collaboration
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The outputs of diverse interdisciplinary education, practicums, and projects must be preserved as “official certifications”
Digital badges are the certification method most suited to these requirements.
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Structures practical skills down to the detailed item level
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Enables outcome-based certification
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Allows instant online verification and sharing
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Ensures international interoperability based on global standards (OBv3)
If Glocal University 30 creates the framework for educational innovation,
digital badges connect that innovation to data, outcomes, and trust.
Closing
Glocal University 30 is not a mere funding program.
It is a national-level future strategy through which regional universities secure new identities and grow toward the world.
And for universities to be competitive in this shift,
they absolutely need systems to systematically record learning outcomes and convert them into official certifications.
Kolleges will continue to provide practical support for universities’ digital transformation,
and together we will build digital badge and e-portfolio standards that allow students to prove their competencies anywhere in the world.
“From region to world, from education to outcomes.”
Kolleges will be a steadfast partner in the next stage of university innovation.
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