What is the BK21 PLUS Program?

  The BK21 PLUS Program (Brain Korea 21 Program for Leading Universities & Students) is

a human resource development program initiated by the Korean Government and the National Research Foundation of Korea. The program was initiated in 2013, and is planned to be operated for 7 years (2013~2019). The BK21 PLUS Program strives to provide new knowledge and skills that are based on creativity, and the main objective of the BK21 PLUS Program is to produce Master/ PhD degree leveled academic leaders who will actualize “Creative Economy” in and out of Korea. Also, it aims to create a creative learning and research atmosphere within its participating universities.

BK21 PLUS in CNU

  At the start of the BK21 PLUS Program in 2013, CNU had 10 different graduate school departments involved in the project. Since 2013, CNU has strived to make the most out of the projects, and in 2016, CNU has achieved a growth of over 200%, by getting 23 programs involved in the BK21 PLUS Project. By doing so, CNU has achieved ranking 7th in the government’s assessment of total amount of projects operated.  Also, CNU carried on to achieve 9th in the amount received for BK21 PLUS Project funding. Among regional national universities, CNU ranked 3rd. This result made it possible for adjustments to be made with the National Research Foundation of Korea and CNU, and CNU will now receive approximately 8.6 billion annually for a period of 4 and a half years to fund CNU’s BK21 PLUS Projects. This adds up to approximately 38 billion, which will be received until August 2020.

Expectations from BK21 PLUS

  With 23 ongoing projects in many different graduate school departments, CNU expects that these achievements will be the start of an effort in becoming one of Korea’s top 10 universities. Also, with the BK21 PLUS Program, CNU plans to put more effort into expanding and developing its graduate school, so that future research and development leaders can be produced from CNU. This would greatly improve the environment for the next generation of university students at CNU.  The BK21 PLUS Program has just only come half way, and CNU has spent the first half excellently. CNU expects to bring more good news regarding the BK21 PLUS Program. The BK21 PLUS Program is focusing on regional universities, and CNU hopes to use it as a chance to step up among other regional universities to offer better education and opportunities for students. By offering a better education, CNU hopes to facilitate the creativity and talent of its students to help them reach their maximum potential, and to attract more talented students to CNU’s graduate school programs. With the BK21 PLUS Program CNU will be able to produce talented Master/PHD degree leaders to actualize and lead a “Creative Economy” in Korea, and worldwide.