‘Zombie universities’ face drastic action as births fall
South Korean universities that are least able to attract students could be closed down under new restructuring plans revealed by the Ministry of Education this month to reform universities affected by the country’s rapid decline in population.
The drop in student numbers is affecting universities disproportionately, with those outside Seoul and its surrounding areas least popular with students.
Many of them have been in dire financial straits for years, dubbed by the media as ‘Zombie universities’, but have been spared drastic action by the government, concerned by the economic impact of closures on areas outside the Seoul region.
Universities failing to meet student quotas as society ages
Posted : 2021-02-23 16:41
Updated : 2021-02-24 09:19
A high school senior receives a score card for the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) at Hyesung Girls High School in Seoul, Dec. 23, 2020. Korea Times file.
By Bahk Eun-ji
Universities here are suffering from falling enrollments as the number of people at the age to enter higher education has been declining in line with the nose-diving birthrate in the country.
While the decrease in new enrollments started at colleges in remote areas about a decade ago, now schools in Seoul and the surrounding metropolitan area ― relatively prestigious ones with higher competition for admissions ― are facing the same dilemma.
Universities failing to meet student quotas as society ages koreatimes.co.kr - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from koreatimes.co.kr Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.