Chungnam National University and Kongju National University have confirmed that the name of the merged institution will be 'Chungnam National University.' The admissions process, a key concern for prospective and current students, will follow a principle of separate recruitment by campus, allowing existing students to receive diplomas under the unified university name if they meet the requirements.
On September 7, the two universities held their second integration committee meeting at the Sejong Joint Campus, where they signed an agreement outlining the merger. Following this, a vote among members regarding the merger will take place from September 8 to 10.
The newly formed university will officially be named 'Chungnam National University.' The admissions process, which is of utmost importance to prospective students, will adhere to a principle of separate recruitment by campus under the overarching guidelines of the merged university. Even if departments are integrated, recruitment units will remain distinct until physical integration is completed. However, an exception will be made if integrated departments agree to combine their recruitment units after 2028, subject to approval from the university administration.
Current students will graduate under the academic regulations of their respective universities at the time of admission, but those who meet the graduation requirements of the unified university will receive diplomas from 'Chungnam National University.' New students admitted through separate recruitment will have their campus of admission indicated on their diplomas.
The legal address of the merged university will be in Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, while the integration headquarters will be established in both Gongju and Daejeon. Key administrative functions will be distributed evenly between the two campuses. The Gongju campus will host the Research Office, International Exchange Office, Educational Innovation Office, Admissions Office, and Integrated Industry-Academic Cooperation Office, while the Daedeok campus will house the Planning Office, External Cooperation Office, AI Information Office, Safety Management Office, and Graduate School.
Each campus will have a campus president (vice president) and maintain essential operational departments to ensure autonomy and independence.
In addressing the sensitive issue of academic restructuring, the principle of 'autonomy' will be emphasized. The restructuring of similar or overlapping colleges will be based on voluntary decisions, allowing departments that do not wish to integrate to remain as they are. Employee status will be fully protected, and any personnel transfers between campuses will be voluntary.
With the integration application and agreement finalized, the two universities will conduct a vote among members from 10 a.m. on September 8 to 6 p.m. on September 10 using the online voting system of the Central Election Management Committee.
The criteria for approval will differ between the two universities. Chungnam National University will apply a weighted voting system (50% faculty, 30% staff and teaching assistants, 15% undergraduate students, 5% graduate students), and if the overall approval rate exceeds 50%, the merger proposal will be considered passed. In contrast, Kongju National University will categorize votes into three groups: faculty, students, and staff, requiring a majority vote and majority approval from at least two of the three groups for consensus.
If the merger proposal receives final approval from members, both universities will formally submit the integration application to the Ministry of Education as part of the 'Glocal University 30' initiative.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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