Seoul National University Professor Revives Plan to Open Undergraduate Programs

A retired professor from Seoul National University (SNU) has revisited a proposal from over two decades ago: to dismantle the university's powerful "brand effect" by opening its undergraduate programs to students from other national universities.

“

We must move beyond the narrow perspective of 'this is not our fault' or 'we must be loyal to the university's interests,' and think from a broader perspective of what is beneficial for the nation's education and development.

Jang Hoi-ik, a former professor of applied physics, first proposed this idea in 2001. He argued that the intense competition for admission to SNU, the nation's most prestigious university, distorts the entire education system, from elementary schools to high schools. His solution was to create a collaborative system where SNU would allocate a portion of its undergraduate admission quota to about ten partner universities, primarily major regional national institutions.

Under this "SNU Open Plan," students from these partner universities would be able to enroll in SNU courses and have the credits recognized by their home institutions. While not formally admitted to SNU, they would gain access to its educational resources, effectively becoming "SNU students" in terms of learning opportunities. This approach, Jang believes, could help alleviate the societal pressure associated with the "elite disease" and the "inferiority complex" that plague students facing fierce competition.

“

If there is a direction that contributes to resolving the quagmire of our entire education system, even if it somewhat goes against the interests of the institution called SNU, then as intellectuals, we should proactively take a forward-looking stance.

Jang also highlighted potential benefits for SNU itself. By delegating some of the foundational education to partner universities, SNU could free up its resources and faculty to focus more on advanced research and graduate-level studies. Furthermore, the plan aims to reduce the widening gap between universities in Seoul and those in provincial areas, fostering more balanced development across the national university system.

“

The core idea is to establish a cooperative system between SNU and within ten partner universities (which could include major national universities in the provinces that agree with this idea), and then allocate SNU's undergraduate admission quota to these universities.

Although the proposal initially garnered support from some faculty members, it was ultimately not implemented. Jang, who served as SNU professor for over three decades, reflects on this past initiative as a potential solution to systemic educational issues. He emphasizes that such a change requires a broader perspective, moving beyond institutional self-interest to contribute to the overall quality of education in the country. The proposal, initially met with resistance, remains a thought-provoking idea for addressing educational inequality and the pressures of the highly competitive South Korean academic landscape.

“

This is not about changing things recklessly without preparation. Of course, extreme caution is necessary.