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A starkly realistic approach to university management is now being applied by Dongguk University, which recently decided to cut down the number of students in less popular departments while letting popular departments to expand.
Based on departmental evaluation under such criteria as studentsĄŻ grades and employment rate of graduates, Dongguk University decided to reduce the number of students entering the departments in the bottom eight. If the accumulated score does not meet a certain level, the university will either close the department down or merge it with another. Other private universities are expected to follow suit, carrying out a rigorous restructuring plan and possibly making it difficult for some professors to hold on to their jobs.
Dongguk University President Oh Young-kyo said Thursday even while acknowledging the importance of pure, basic studies, national universities can take care of that. Ą°One of the raisons dĄŻetre of private university is to train students to become the capable and competitive peoples that society wants,Ą± he said.
According to the departmental evaluation released by the university, the departments of electrical engineering, physics, sociology, and German language and literature were in the bottom four, so student intake there will be cut by 15 percent for next year. Those in the bottom five to eight -- philosophy, mathematics, ethical culture, and mechanical engineering -- will have intake cut by 10 percent. On the other hand, the top three departments -- computer science and engineering, business administration, and electronic engineering -- will be able to increase the number of new students if they wish.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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