"We need to change the existing framework. Change the university system completely and accept immigrants actively."

In the era of 4th industrial revolution where highfliers become the national asset, Korea, an abandon nation for highfliers is struggling with a shortage of people for technology development, especially in the field of artificial intelligence (AI), as well as the number of people. According to a survey by Canadian AI company Element AI, Korea has only 405 AI who are skilled.

Four scholars representing the Korean science and technology community, including the heads of the three major Academy of Sciences (science, engineering, and medicine) and the president of the Korean Federation of Science and Technology Societies (KOFST), emphasized the need for bold innovation for Korea's future competitiveness.

“Currently, universities are maintaining a feudal system that is settling in this monopoly with diplomas,” said Lee Woo-il, the President of KOFST. This means that instead of a diploma given to students who have passed the university and completed 130 credits or more, they should issue a certificate for each course completed within the university so that they can use it for employment, etc. “For example, universities issue certificates such as completion of 3 credits for display and 6 credits for semiconductors, and companies that hire skilled people can confirm whether applicants have completed the courses the company wants,” Lee explained.

There was also the idea that the 'Free Major System', which is only implemented in some schools, should be applied to all universities.

Han Min-koo, president of the Korea Academy of Science and Technology, said, "Including KAIST, four science and technology specialized universities are recruiting students without deciding on their major before admission, and some schools, including Seoul National University, have also introduced free majors. "In order to develop a college education, it should be changed to a form in which students are selected according to the total number of students and then the number of departments is determined according to the needs of the students, rather than dividing the department to select the admission quota," he said. Director Han added, "University also needs a complete market economy that allows free quota for each department and makes students struggle with survival for departments that are not in demand."

The supply and demand of skilled people from abroad should no longer be avoided. Kwon Oh-kyung, president of the National Academy of Engineering of Korea said, "Korea has a prejudice against immigrants as it is a single ethnic group, but we should not hesitate to bring in high-quality skilled people from abroad. It is also a time to consider.” Director Han also said, "Three out of four American Nobel Prize winners are from immigrants. In Korea, immigrants are treated as B-class citizens, but this culture needs to be improved."

It was also pointed out that a culture of respect and consideration for successful intellectuals was necessary. President Kwon said, "It is only when seniors who are good at ventures come out that students can take on the challenge with the will to start a business. To that end, the Republic of Korea will have to put a little more effort into creating a proper venture.”

Lim Tae-hwan, director of the National Academy of Medicine of Korea said, "The society needs respect and consideration for the intellectual elite, such as doctors, scientists, and successful venture people. Their social responsibility and sense of duty also grow based on respect."

Mail Business News Korea https://www.mk.co.kr/news/home/view/2021/10/1023237/