On February 17th, the 19th President Yang O-bong began his term. President Yang, who started his work emphasizing 'JBNU, Global Top 100', celebrated his 100th day in office on May 26th. The JBNU Newspaper met with President Yang to hear about changes since his election and the direction of university management.

1. The environment surrounding the university is changing rapidly. How do you feel about becoming the president during a difficult time?

It's a tough time. I'm swamped with responsibilities. The school-age population is falling sharply, and the concentration in Seoul is increasing. In addition, it is widely analyzed that local universities are the last bastion to prevent "local extinction." Rather than the joy of inauguration, there are concerns about realizing flagship universities and strengthening our status as global universities. I plan a future of creating a student-centered university through visits to universities, close communication with students, and drastic measures to reorganize the school system.

2. It took about eight years to come here, continuing to challenge the election. What was your driving force to try continuously?

When I took my first step as a professor in March 1995, I was amazed to see the students' potential. I dreamed of making JBNU the best university at home and abroad. To achieve this dream, I tried to become the best expert in my major field and challenged the president as a well-known president. The three challenges became a valuable chance. It was a time to establish the difficulties of the university society and the direction JBNU should take. The belief that JBNU should be ranked in the ‘Global Top 100’ university has endured that time.

3. What pledges in various fields, such as region, finance, students, professors, and employees, are the most important in this presidential election?

Student-centered pledges are being promoted the most. To create a university that students want to attend, I am keeping my promises one by one. I heard good responses to the events such as ‘Breakfast of 1,000 won’. I will listen to opinions and actively reflect them in our policies. In the future, establish and promote policies to increase the employment rate.

4. There was the phrase "prepared sales president" in the candidate's promises. It would express that you are particularly taking notice of financial support for the college members. Is there any specific reason?

The president puts the most effort into securing the university management budget in prestigious universities abroad. This is because the deterioration of the financial soundness of universities determines the fate of universities. The president should listen to the members' voices and make sales for the college by expanding research funds and attracting national projects. Since taking office, I collected more than 1.2 billion won in development funds alone. I want to create JBNU, where students can efficiently study, and a university where professors can research and lecture. In addition, the president will be a strong supporter so employees can work excitedly.

#1. The school-age population is decreasing due to aging, a decrease in the birth rate, and an increase in the dropout rate of new students. Accordingly, JNBU plans to innovate to select excellent talents and foster them as necessary talents in the era of convergence. To solve various problems emerging in JBNU, he presented the ‘Glocal University 30’ project as the key.

5. Major universities need help with solutions to this due to an aging society and a drop in fertility rates, so how do you think universities should change in the future?

College admission resources will fall below 400,000 starting next year. From 2031, the speed will also accelerate rapidly, with the 18-year-old population reaching 260,000 by 2040. The short days of university society are already next to us, with a hundred universities with just two thousand first-year students forced to close.

The university's owner is the students. For this reason, we should focus on creating a university where students want to come, attend, and study. Changes should be made to foster the human resources that the region, country, and society want. The government's 'Global University 30' project will be a trigger. The path of Glocal University can only be advanced if internal innovation is prepared. It should be changed so that students can study as they want by providing new education without staying before. I promise to attract the 'Glocal University 30' project with harsh innovation. In that case, JBNU will pave the way for universities for students and foster talent for regional and national development to become a stronger university.

6. You are continuously discussing attracting 'Glocal University 30' business. However, the project requires the university to improve its constitution, so what is JBNU's plan?

First, I would like to make JBNU centered on students. To this end, I will boldly break down the barriers between colleges and departments to broaden the recruitment unit for new students and convert it into an educational system where students can freely choose and learn the major they want to study. It also plans to integrate similar subjects and open new subjects that meet local and social needs.

Second, local universities in every region have been closed due to various problems. However, closed local universities shrink the local economy and make local extinction faster. Therefore, it is necessary to actively utilize closed local university campuses to actively respond to each region's local economic downturn and regional extinction. Accordingly, JBNU intends to propose and implement a regional regeneration model that operates a regional specialized education program using the site of a closed university campus in Jeollabuk-do for the first time. Details related to this are being carried out with the local government.

Third, JBNU wants to take the lead in boldly breaking down the walls between local universities. To this end, I would like to fully open JBNU's educational infrastructure, research facilities and equipment, and convenience facilities in universities to students of other universities in Jeonbuk. In particular, the budget for the Glocal University project will be shared with other local universities. In addition, by expanding the connection between local universities to local companies, a win-win cluster for local universities and local companies based on regional specialized industries such as the secondary battery industry and K-defense industry has been established, and working-level consultations are being promoted.

Finally, it plans to attract five thousand international students by actively utilizing various online and offline education programs for foreigners. For example, it is seeking to establish an international campus in Vietnam to attract international students from Vietnam, where the economy is growing rapidly. In addition, it recently decided to establish a Korean studies education and research institution at a prestigious Moroccan university to open the way for exchanges with Africa. In connection with such international campuses and institutions, I intend to attract excellent international students to JBNU. I will also create and improve the environment so these international students can settle in Jeonbuk.

7. The student population is decreasing, and the crisis at local universities is severe. To make matters worse, the dropout rate of new students is also increasing. What should be the top priority to overcome the regional crisis and reduce the dropout rate?

JBNU's dropout rate is 8.8% based on freshmen in 2021 and 4.4% based on the percentage of all enrolled students. It is similar to or less than other national universities in other strongholds. However, as the number of people going to medical schools, dental schools, and Pharmaceutical Science in the Seoul metropolitan area is increasing, there is also a concern that this will increase.

Selecting local talents and providing educational services is essential to overcome this. The university must open the way for students to choose and study majors JBNU is pushing for change and innovation.

#2. The future of JBNU could be brighter amidst the crisis of population decline and regional extinction. In particular, the low employment rate in the 50% range leads to decreased enrollment, making universities more difficult. Therefore, it plans to push for a policy to drastically reconsider universities' employment rate that marks their 100th day in office.

8. Not only the research results of universities and the employment rate have become essential criteria for determining "good universities". Compared to the 70% employment rate of universities in the metropolitan area, the employment rate of JBNU is low in the 50% range. What do you think is the solution to this?

Employment support is also seeking changes in line with corporate recruitment trends. Companies now prefer convergence talent. Breaking down the barriers between majors to prepare for the Glocal University 30 project aligns with companies' desired talent. I will establish a convergence education and employment support system and support it to prepare for the era of big data and artificial intelligence. Above all, expanding the mandatory recruitment system for local talent will help improve the employment rate. A plan to increase the current 30% to 50% is being pursued in solidarity with national universities.

9. The 'AI mentoring' system pledge regarding the employment rate pledge was presented. What is the specific direction and timing of implementing the AI system?

The 'AI mentoring' system is an educational support program that combines AI technology with an Oasis system. It is based on big data such as students' aptitude, bachelor's degree, career, and employment. 2021 Korea University introduced this system by recommending educational information such as non-department programs and liberal arts courses. JBNU's AI system goes beyond this and provides help from learning to job support. Getting a job at a particular company sets the exact direction of what course you should take, which method, and how you should prepare for employment. I will support students to keep up with the latest corporate trends and the talent companies require.

10. When you were a candidate, you suggested driving the employment rate by holding job-related fairs in person and visiting the HR department of large companies. Are there any ongoing issues in this regard?

JBNU already holds a 'Job Fair for Excellent Local Companies' every year, and student satisfaction is also high. Therefore, instead of staying here, I am planning a customized fair. Companies are visiting the employment support department and continuing to sell student employment. Recently, related discussions have been held from financial sectors such as Woori Bank, public institutions such as the National Intelligence Service, and large companies such as Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries. In particular, the meeting with Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries executives discussed various contents such as the continuous connection between job experience and field training, introducing an industry-academic scholarship system, and providing mentoring opportunities for incumbent seniors. In the future, I will continue strengthening links with leading domestic companies, visiting them in person, and increasing the student employment rate.

#3. Among the various programs for students, supplementary measures for the exchange student program and belt system were also suggested. The employment rate performance of fourth-grade belt acquisitions was 10% higher than the average employment rate. JBNU is promoting exchanges with the world's leading universities and plans to expand the budget for scholarships in the Belt system.

11. During COVID-19, many students were disappointed by the decrease in connection with overseas universities. After this year, is there an operation plan for various measures such as credit exchange with overseas universities and exchange student systems?

Exchanges with overseas universities are already actively underway. Recently, JBNU promised close cooperation and solidarity with California State University, Dominguez Hills, by promoting a dual degree system. It is one of the crucial steps to leap at Glocal University. In addition, exchanges with De La Salle University, the best private university in the Philippines, began earnestly. It signed an agreement with De La Salle Araneta University, one of the De La Salle System universities. It promised close exchanges and cooperation in various fields centered on implementing the exchange student system. I'm also trying to revitalize the exchange student program operated by JBNU.

12. JBNU is already implementing a performance-type scholarship system called the 'belt system'. Looking at the pledge, there is content to expand it, and what is the specific direction of implementation?

I plan to actively expand JBNU's student career management program, the 'A Great Man Project.' One of the main contents of the project is the 'Grade-specific Belt System', which supports students to systematically manage their careers by grade and from admission to graduation. It also operates a 'full scholarship' that gives scholarships if you obtain a belt suitable for the stage. As a result of the employment rate analysis, the employment rate performance of fourth-grade belt acquisitions was more than 10% higher than the average employment rate. Therefore, I will expand the scholarship system so students can participate more. It is also considering an increase in scholarships, up to 1 million won for second graders, 1.5 million won for third graders, and 2 million won for fourth graders. To foster customized talents that companies want, I will continue to supplement large-scale projects, doubling the voluntary participation of students and expanding the scholarship budget accordingly. I will continue supporting any JBNU student to participate in the big person project, manage their career independently, and smoothly advance to the desired field after graduation.

#4. He emphasized the importance of communication with students. The 1,000-won breakfast project was expanded from 100 to 150 when it received positive responses. Close communication events will be held to share concerns and find solutions.

13. What topics or concerns do you think students are most interested in now?

It's career and employment. In this regard, JBNU is pushing for the most significant change and innovation in history for the 'Glocal University 30' project, and students' interest is very high. Recently, we had a briefing session for students and collected opinions, and as many as 150 students voluntarily applied in advance, which was quite surprising. Therefore, confirming students' high response to the university's change and innovation was possible. In the field, students showed great interest that the university seeks to change to an advanced academic structure to attract the 'Glocal University 30' project. Some students expressed gratitude for the JBNU's efforts and willingness to select projects and prepare a course to collect student opinions. They suggested the formation of organizations such as TF that can continuously reflect students' views in the future. I will certainly do so. We hope that our students will also show a lot of interest and support so that this strong consensus can lead to the attraction of the 'Glocal University 30' project.

14. In addition to 'Breakfast of 1,000 won', is there a project or communication plan with students considering their financial situation?

It plans to regularize close communication events such as 'half-price coffee', where students can buy coffee at half price, a snack-sharing project encouraging students during the test, and 'Hope Day', which responded well. It is also planning a tentatively named 'Makgeolli Day' with students in early June. The 1,000-won breakfast also expanded the number of people from 100 to 150 as donations from various alums and institutions in JBNU continued. Close communication is essential for promoting student-tailored policies in that it listens to students' live and vivid stories. I'm going to increase it and regularize it. I won't just sit down. I will be a friendly president who can exchange eyes with students and send fathers smiles until the end of my term.

#5. He is striving to improve the welfare of faculty and staff among university members. In addition, it continues to form a consensus with local governments, local institutions, and businesses and is running for co-prosperity of universities and regions. In addition, he stressed that it would create a focal point for local universities to coexist.

15. Satisfaction with the job of a public official is different from before. The proportion of students preparing to a civil servant has also decreased noticeably. Are there any concerns about boosting employee morale?

It's a social problem and a faculty job we work with right next to us. Currently, it is making efforts to improve welfare with the goal of "a university where employees want to work for the rest of their lives". Specific plans are being prepared to resolve the accumulation of promotion, promote fair promotion screening, and expand overseas training and overseas volunteer activities. The operation of the JBNU Medical Center (expansion of medical subjects and opening of pharmacies) is also being promoted by improving the paid vacation system and strengthening the function of the health center. At the national level, members and others are trying to speak out about preoccupying welfare-related policies through various welfare-related procedures.

16. Among planning various projects and striving for university development, what pledge do you want to make in 2023?

Change and innovation are a matter of survival, not choice. To survive, we will focus on building a foundation for being reborn as a "flagship university" that leads the co-prosperity of universities and regions. To this end, we continuously focus on forming consensus with local governments, institutions, and businesses. JBNU will lead the efforts of drastic change and strengthen cooperation with the region to create a central point where local universities can coexist. Through this, we will do our best to realize a university centered on students by attracting the 'Global University 30' project.

17. The 100th day could be a new leap forward and a time to set new goals. What is the change in the president's commitment from the 100th day?

I want to talk about my plans after the 100th day. I understand that students are complaining of inconvenience with the aging computer system. It aims to establish an advanced computer system around next year. It also plans to transform the Central Library, New Silk Road Center, and the first-floor space of the second library into a cafe-style space where students can study comfortably. Next year, the construction of the 3rd Hall of the College of Arts and the sports complex construction are planned. The beginning of the transformation into JBNU with a better environment than any other university in a foreign country will be implemented after the 100th day after my inauguration.

18. What do you do when you have free time? Do you have any hobbies you enjoy?

I like mountain climbing. If I climb the mountain alone, I can organize my thoughts, and if I am with an acquaintance, I can talk and get closer to each other. There is little time now due to various pending issues at JBNU. Instead, I walk on campus when I can afford it for a short time. At this time, they exchange snow greetings with the members they meet, and students ask to take pictures together. At that time, I feel small but great joy.

19. Is there a restaurant you often go to outside of JBNU?

I especially like Korean food, and there is a restaurant called "Gajeongsik Baekban" near Deokjin Gwangjang. I highly recommend it. It is a place where students who need more money can taste delicious home-cooked meals at low prices. I also like JBNU's Jinsuwon restaurant.

20. JBNU is famous for its vast and beautiful campus. Is there a favorite place in the campus?

I like Gunji Plaza the most. What a magnificent place. It has already become a famous spot in Jeonbuk and JBNU. Busking performances at Gunji Plaza will be a classy concert. I'm getting a gift every time.

21. What kind of president do you want to be remembered by JBNU members at the end of your term?

I want to be remembered as the president who led positive changes in universities and regions. To this end, the president's role is to create an environment and system so each member can exert their full capabilities. Therefore, on the day of the term, I want to be evaluated as the president who created an environment that "enjoys teaching and studying" for professors, "enjoys working" for staff teachers, and "enjoys studying" for students. For residents, it would be happy to be remembered as the president who played a significant role in creating an excellent area to live by laying the foundation for the win-win development of universities and regions.

22. Lastly, please say something to the members who will share your journey as the president.

A school where students concentrate on their studies at ease, a university where professors teach and study happily, and a place where employees work creatively and excitedly. I dream of making JBNU such a university as soon as possible during my term. I will be the president who always tries to communicate and take responsibility so all members can unite and gather their capabilities. All members will gather wisdom and strength in their respective positions so that JBNU can complete bold change and innovation with Glocal University.

| Translated by Park Ji-woo Reporter