[Suwan News = Kim Dong-ju, Head of the News Division] The Planning and Administration Committee of Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province (Chairman Moon Gwan-hyun) conducted its 2025 administrative audit of Gangwon Provincial University and the Office of Planning and Coordination on the 11th.
This administrative audit was conducted to verify and comprehensively review the tangible results of Gangwon Provincial University’s efforts to foster local talent and implement educational innovation policies, and to assess the effectiveness of policy implementation and the efficiency of financial management, with a particular focus on the Policy Coordination Office’s policy coherence and the appropriateness of budget execution.
During the audit that day, the lack of a specialized development plan unique to the provincial university and a strategy to prepare for its merger with Kangwon National University came under scrutiny, and opinions were expressed that a concrete implementation plan—including the details of discussions with Kangwon National University and the sharing of positions—needed to be established.
It was pointed out that the faculty’s research activities were lackluster. The provincial university came under fire because, even after the 2022 criticism, professors’ publication records have not improved but have continued to decline. Consequently, during the audit, emphasis was placed on verifying whether publication records are being appropriately reflected in the reappointment process, establishing a system for responsible research activities and performance management, revitalizing research activities, securing outstanding research personnel, and enhancing research capabilities.
Furthermore, it has become evident that dropouts—including students withdrawing or failing to re-enroll—are frequent, and that the employment rate at provincial universities ranks among the lowest among vocational colleges nationwide. Taking these issues as a lesson, it was emphasized that the university should not stop at merely securing enrollment numbers but must implement systematic management and oversight to cultivate outstanding talent through high-quality education that students can truly experience. It also became clear that restructuring the academic departments is urgently needed to enhance the university’s efforts in talent development and improve its employment rate.
In addition, it was suggested that existing financial support programs—such as HIVE and LINC 3.0—be continued in conjunction with the RISE initiative, and that measures to revitalize these programs be carefully reviewed to ensure they go beyond merely improving living conditions and actually achieve tangible results, such as attracting young people to the area.
Kim Dong-ju, Head of the News Division
