지역과 대학의 동반 성장을 위한 대학 혁신의 기반으로서 교양기초교육 = Basic Liberal Arts Education as a Foundation for University Innovation for the Shared Growth of University and the Local Community

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

Universities in Korea are facing crises such as population decline, rapidly changing technological structures, and the theories asserting uselessness of universities. In particular, development centered on the metropolitan area is acting as a factor that intensifies the crisis in non-metropolitan universities. Accordingly, the government is promoting educational innovation and specialization of universities for the coexistence of universities and its regions through the RISE project and the Glocal project. This study analyzed the major innovation directions of universities, focusing on the RISE project and the Glocal project plan, and explored the example of basic liberal arts education for finding concrete method to realize it.
According to the plans of the RISE and Glocal projects, measures such as the operation of curriculum in connection with local high-tech industries, breaking down major fields based on the existing academic system, strengthening students’ major options, and flexible operation of the academic system are commonly proposed. It is a huge innovation trend in universities to flex their education system to realize customized education required by learners and industries beyond the existing rigid education system.
However, what is missing in this discussion is the difference in the level of learners entering the region. There is a tendency that students at local universities vary greatly in their learning levels. If we don’t consider this feature of local universities, even having an innovative education system centered on high-tech industries will not be effective. Therefore, considering these differences among learners, universities should systematically establish an educational system that will serve as a stepping stone for students entering universities to enter the innovative education system. At this time, the university’s educational system that we can refer is liberal arts education and basic academic education. Liberal arts education aimed at learning through basic studies and basic literacy education aimed at strengthening learners’ academic ability have already co-existed in the form of breaking down and converging walls within the liberal arts education field, unlike the strictly divided major areas. For this reason, instruction based on level of learners along with standardization and sharing of basic liberal arts education between universities will enable innovation in local universities.