In a press convention on August 16, Lee Ju-Ho introduced the plan to draw 300,000 worldwide college students to the nation by 2027 within the wake of its ageing inhabitants disaster, which has resulted in a “speedy decline” within the variety of school-age residents.

Earlier this yr, statistics confirmed that 205,167 worldwide college students had been enrolled in establishments throughout the nation by March 2023.

The plan consists of a rise within the quota of presidency scholarships, which is able to primarily be geared toward universities outdoors of bigger city areas and people with STEM applications.

Some 2,700 shall be allotted completely for science college students, whereas as much as 6,000 shall be obtainable for non-science topics.

Research Korea 300K venture, because it’s been named, can even see the Research in Korea – or GKS – nation quotas improve for India, the US, Pakistan, Poland and the UAE.

The federal government can even set up ​​worldwide pupil service centres at abroad training centres to encourage Korean research, however didn’t point out the place there could be situated.

A present restriction that greater than 30% of first yr worldwide college students should have the TOPIK (take a look at of proficiency in Korean) ranges two or three is underneath “consideration to be lifted”, it added. This has nonetheless not been assigned a timeline however the examination itself can even change into obtainable on-line.

Benjamin A. Engel, who works as a professor on the institute of worldwide affairs at Seoul Nationwide College, commented on X, the platform previously often called Twitter, that solely 13% of programs had been in English in South Korean establishments in 2022.

“If Korea needs extra worldwide college students, it wants extra programs taught in English,” Engel insisted.

“Korea has an incredible training system… however forcing folks to be taught Korean to get an training right here shouldn’t be going to spice up numbers. Making Korean universities extra accessible by having extra programs taught in English will,” he famous.

Korea Improvement Institute affiliate professor Josh Merfeld additionally stated a “lot of adjustments had been going to want to occur” if the plan was to achieve success.

He agreed with Engel’s evaluation that there’s a want for extra English-taught levels, in addition to an improved high quality of analysis and the necessity to rent extra non-Korean college.

Lee stated {that a} new scheme as a part of the plan would try to ascertain a brand new fast-track visa system for science and tech graduates.

“Now could be the time to draw overseas expertise strategically”

The minister additionally detailed that college students with a grasp’s or PhD in science and expertise will have the ability to apply for Korean citizenship and obtain everlasting resident standing after three years in-country, halving the earlier period of time.

“We’re in determined want of nurturing [science] expertise at a time when the conflict for technological supremacy is intensifying.

“Japan, for instance, has set a goal of attracting 400,000 overseas college students by 2033. Now could be the time to draw overseas expertise strategically,” Lee instructed the media on the press convention in Seoul.

The current governmental trilateral plan mentioned between Korea, the US and Japan additionally surfaced within the press convention.

Lee stated such cooperation for example may “pave the best way for extra various youth exchanges and research overseas applications that would enhance college students’ intellectuality”.

One other strand trying to strengthen the attractiveness of non-urban areas will see the federal government “collaborate with administrations” in areas. Sure zones shall be named “World expertise targeted Particular Zones for the Internationalisation of Schooling”.

On prime of the scholarship plans, $60.4m is being allotted to assist universities with graduate college “help tasks” to enhance educational local weather and “capability to reply to societal change”. The precise which means of this was not expanded upon, however the tasks usually purpose to boost worldwide pupil experiences on campus.

It comes after some sides of the plan had been launched in July and was initially thought to have been dubbed Research Korea 3.0.

It included new elevated work hours for overseas college students, with the plan reportedly delayed particulars had been finalised.