SOUTH KOREA: Push for mergers of public universities

South Korea's government is proposing a phased amalgamation of state universities as its efforts to restructure ailing institutions have been faltering in the face of stiff resistance, reports The Korea Herald. Under the plan, three or more universities in the same region will form an alliance with a single decision-making system but maintain separate campuses before fully merging within three years.

The Education Ministry has for years pushed for the integration or closure of scores of state-run universities deemed unviable due to difficulties in recruitment and finance. "The conventional restructuring model, in which one university absorbs others, has caused side effects such as resistance from school members," a ministry official said.

Under the new gradual model, overlapping departments among partner universities will be scrapped or consolidated and each institution will centre on its specialty, the ministry said.
Full report on The Korea Herald site