MOU signed to pursue 'education innovation leading region' status

City, education office, five districts, six universities and industry groups join forces

Designation would bring up to 4 billion won annually for five years to close education gaps

The Busan Metropolitan Office of Education and partner institutions sign an MOU at Busan City Hall on Tuesday to jointly pursue the Ministry of Education's "education innovation leading region" designation. [Busan Metropolitan Office of Education]
The Busan Metropolitan Office of Education and partner institutions sign an MOU at Busan City Hall on Tuesday to jointly pursue the Ministry of Education's "education innovation leading region" designation. [Busan Metropolitan Office of Education]

The Busan Metropolitan Office of Education has joined forces with 16 key local institutions to mount an all-out bid for the Ministry of Education's "education innovation leading region" designation. The push aims to secure 4 billion won ($2.89 million) in special grants annually for up to five years, with the goal of narrowing education gaps and cultivating talent that stays and thrives in the region.

The education office signed a joint MOU Tuesday morning at Busan City Hall with the city of Busan; five district governments — Jung-gu, Seo-gu, Dong-gu, Yeongdo-gu and Geumjeong-gu; six local universities — Kosin University, Pukyong National University, Korea Maritime and Ocean University, Dong-A University, Pusan National University and Busan University of Foreign Studies; and the Busan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Busan Regional Office of Oceans and Fisheries and Busan Anchor Center.

The "education innovation leading region" program supports local education development and talent retention by bringing together key regional actors — local governments, education offices, education support offices and universities — in a coordinated effort.

The signatory institutions will pool their expertise and human and material resources to develop education innovation models suited to local conditions, and to work together on reducing education disparities and nurturing regional talent.

The Busan education office plans to use the designation to expand the entire city into a learning environment that reaches beyond individual schools. It intends to strengthen shared curricula across small schools and connect Busan's distinctive assets — universities, maritime industries, culture and tourism — to elementary, middle and high school education, so students can learn across the region and pursue studies aligned with their interests and career goals.

The Ministry of Education's education innovation leading region program requires applicants to address reducing local education gaps and strengthening university-industry ties as core objectives. The Busan education office and the city plan to submit their application by Sept. 30.


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