Gyeonguk National University's application for a new national medical school lists an enrollment quota of just 50 students, raising hopes that the Gwangju-South Jeolla region could still secure its own medical school despite the collapse of merger talks between Suncheon National University and Mokpo National University.
The Ministry of Education set the enrollment quota for a new medical school at 100 students. With Gyeonguk National University applying for only half that number, expectations are growing that the remaining seats could go to the Gwangju-South Jeolla region.
According to the Gwangju-South Jeolla Special Integration City authority, North Gyeongsang Province and Gyeonguk National University submitted a medical school establishment plan to the Ministry of Education on Thursday.
The plan calls for a medical school in the Andong-Yecheon area — the site of the North Gyeongsang Provincial Government's new town — with a target opening year of 2030 and a 500-bed affiliated hospital.
North Gyeongsang Province and Gyeonguk National University are understood to have listed an enrollment quota of 50 in the submission.
The university adjusted its requested quota after weighing factors including the availability of medical faculty and the capacity of affiliated training hospitals.
The government has narrowed the candidates for a new national medical school to North Gyeongsang Province and the Gwangju-South Jeolla region, and plans to select the final site this month with a 2030 opening target.
If a medical school with around 50 seats is established in North Gyeongsang Province and a separate school of similar size is permitted in the Gwangju-South Jeolla region, both areas could end up with new medical schools.
sij@heraldcorp.com
