Korean universities shutter departments as student enrollments plunge
 

Facing a steep decline in the school-age population, universities in Korea, particularly in provincial areas, are increasingly shutting down departments and majors due to difficulties in recruiting new students, according to school officials and experts, Monday.

A number of universities are exploring survival strategies, such as introducing new departments or majors with high demand or merging existing majors.

According to a future population estimate by Statistics Korea, the school-age population, aged 6 to 21, has dropped to 7.15 million this year, accounting for just 13.8 percent of the total population.

The number declined steadily from 1984 when the school-age demographic stood at 13.84 million, or 34.3 percent of the total population. It is predicted that the figure will plummet further to 3.77 million, or 8.9 percent of the population, by 2060.

The impact is already evident in higher education. As of April, the number of students enrolled in universities and graduate schools fell to 3 million, a sharp 18 percent decline over the past decade.

Amid shrinking enrollment driven by a declining school-age population, universities are adopting measures such as merging departments and majors or shutting them down entirely.

Daegu University will no longer recruit freshmen for its sociology department starting in 2025, as part of a revised school policy.

In response to the announcement, students and professors organized a funeral-themed memorial event for two days from Nov. 7 to mark the department’s closure after 45 years since the university’s establishment in 1979.

"The event commemorates the end of the sociology department while emphasizing that its value and legacy endure even after its closure," a staffer from the department said.

Participants, including students, professors and faculty members, dressed in black, signed a guest book and laid flowers, mimicking funerary rituals. Wreaths from other universities’ sociology departments, including Sogang University and Pusan National University, were also placed at the site.

Daegu University’s decision illustrates a broader trend of declining enrollment rates leading to department closures.

This year, only 14 students enrolled in the university’s sociology department, falling far short of its capacity of 31 students.

Sociology is among six departments at Daegu University — including law, electronic engineering and artificial intelligence (AI) — that will stop recruiting students next year, effectively phasing them out.

Source : https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2024/11/113_386609.html

Comprehension

What is causing the decline in university enrollment rates in Korea?
How has the school-age population in Korea changed since 1984?
What is the projected school-age population in Korea by 2060?
What survival strategies are universities adopting in response to declining enrollment?
What significant decision did Daegu University make regarding its sociology department?
How did students and faculty at Daegu University respond to the sociology department's closure?
Besides sociology, which other departments at Daegu University will stop recruiting students next year?

Discussion

What challenges do declining school-age populations pose for higher education institutions?
How might the closure of traditional majors like sociology impact society in the long run?
Should universities prioritize creating majors with higher demand, or focus on preserving diverse academic fields? Why?
What measures could the government or universities implement to address declining enrollment?
How might a shrinking student population influence Korea’s workforce and economy in the future?
What role does demographic change play in shaping the future of education systems globally?
How can universities balance financial viability with maintaining their academic mission?
Do you think holding events like the memorial at Daegu University can effectively raise awareness about the value of certain academic fields? Why or why not?
What are the potential benefits and drawbacks of merging or phasing out departments?
How can universities ensure the legacy and knowledge of closed departments endure?

Vocabulary

Provincial - relating to areas outside the capital or major cities.
Legacy - something handed down from the past, such as traditions or values.
Demographic - a specific segment of the population, often based on age, gender, or other factors.
Enrollment - the act of registering or being registered for a program or institution.
Merging - combining two or more entities into one.
Commemorate - to honor and remember an event or person.
Capacity - the maximum number something can hold or accommodate.
Ritual - a ceremonial act or series of acts.
Phasing out - gradually eliminating or discontinuing something.
Survival strategy - a plan or approach designed to ensure continued existence or operation.