글로컬 대학 '또 D등급'.. 충북대-교통대 통합 좌초 위기

◀ Anchor ▶ Chungbuk National University and Korea National University of Transportation, which were selected for the Glocal University Project on the condition of merging, have once again received the lowest grade in this year's government evaluation and are now at risk of having their designation revoked. If the revocation is confirmed, funding for the project will be suspended, increasing the likelihood that the merger plan of the two universities itself will fail. Reporter Shin Byung-kwan reports. ◀ Report ▶ Chungbuk National University and Korea National University of Transportation were selected as the first cohort of Glocal Universities in 2023 with the goal of merging. The plan was to combine into one to enhance competitiveness, but they received the lowest grade, D, in this year's evaluation as well. Inadequate and delayed academic and organizational restructuring, as well as campus specialization, for the merger, ultimately held them back. In the previously held public evaluation, evaluation committee members pointed out that the integration of similar departments and other measures had regressed from the original plans. ◀ SYNC ▶ 2026 Glocal University Accompanying Evaluation (June 11) Source: NRF National Research Foundation of Korea "Overall, all plans are significantly regressing compared to what was originally promised..." Since both universities received a Grade D last year as well, they have entered the process of having their Glocal University designation revoked. If the designation is revoked, funding for the project will be suspended. As the integration plan currently submitted to the Ministry of Education was established on the premise that Glocal University funding would be maintained, the very push for integration will face difficulties. Even if the Ministry of Education approves the integration, both universities will essentially have to start over from scratch, including revising their plans and devising measures to secure funding. As the plan itself has changed, they may also have to seek the consent of their members again. However, halting the merger is not an easy task either. If the merger is suspended, procedures to recover the 71 billion won in project funds provided to date could be initiated. Both universities are currently deliberating on their response strategies. ◀ INT ▶ Kang Ju-hoon / Head of Brand Strategy Office, Korea National University of Transportation "We plan to continue pursuing the merger and will devise multifaceted plans and make efforts to secure the necessary budget." The Ministry of Education will accept appeals until the 10th of next month, and once the final ranking is confirmed, it will initiate the process to revoke the "Glocal University" designation. The merger between Chungbuk National University and Korea National University of Transportation, which has managed to overcome numerous hurdles, is once again at risk of being derailed. With internal conflicts intensifying over who is responsible and calls for accountability growing within the local community, the fallout is expected to be significant. This is Shin Byeong-gwan for MBC News. ◀ END ▶