Architecting the Third University Revolution for a Sustainable Academic Ecosystem

On January 8, the pristine halls of the College of Education buzzed as it hosted the 2026 Policy Symposium under the theme "The Future of Korean Universities in the AI Era." This event brought together scholars, policymakers, and students to diagnose the multi-dimensional crises facing higher education. Organized by the research team on the project "A Study on Strategies to Overcome the Crisis of Korean Universities for a Sustainable Future," the symposium aimed to move beyond abstract concerns and propose concrete structural and financial reforms.

The University Integration Network, Reshaping the Hierarchy

The symposium opened with a keynote lecture by Professor Kim Jong-Young (Department of Sociology, Kyung Hee University), addressing the structural rigidity of Korean higher education and proposing solutions through the theoretical framework called the University Integration Network.

To illustrate an alternative to the current system, Professor Kim referenced two global precedents. First, he pointed to the example of the University of Paris's dissolution into thirteen autonomous institutions. This structural breakup showed that academic prestige could be distributed across a network rather than concentrated in a single top school, democratizing access to elite education. He also cited the UC system, where a single Board of Regents manages multiple prestigious campuses. This also shows that a university system can maintain high standards and a unified brand across different regions, allowing students to access world-class education without flocking to a single city. Adopting a similar approach, Professor Kim suggested Korea could consider a networked approach that links leading national universities with major flagship national universities across the country, supporting both regional development and distributing academic resources and prestige.

A Holistic Framework Strategy

Following the structural diagnosis, Professor Eom Moon-Young (Department of Education, Seoul National University), the principal investigator of the research team that organized the event, took the stage to address the financial realities of these reforms. In his presentation titled "Strategies for Overcoming the University Crisis in the Age of AI: Seven Core Tasks," Professor Eom presented a detailed strategy for building an AI-based educational infrastructure.

Professor Eom delivering his talk

He delineated the reform into seven core tasks, such as establishing future capability-based education, attracting and cultivating global talent, and securing sustainable university finances. Professor Eom argued that these pillars cannot function in isolation and that the success of this initiative relies on the synergy created when these elements work together. He stressed that a blanket increase in funding would be inefficient. Instead, the seven core tasks identify the most urgent areas requiring prioritization. This strategic focus, he explained, ensures a cohesive transformation that maximizes structural impact.

Ideas to Prepare for the Third Education Revolution

The event culminated in a comprehensive discussion under the title, "The Third Education Revolution: How Can It Be Realized?" Moderated by Professor Shin Jung-cheol (Department of Education, Seoul National University), the panel featured experts from both SNU and other flagship national universities. The panel discussed the specific philosophical, pedagogical, and structural shifts required for survival in the era of the AI revolution.

Professors discussing during the debate session

Professor Song Soo-young (School of Business Administration, Chung-Ang University) brought up the topic of Digital Socialism. He suggested that as AI increasingly automates labor and production, society may shift toward a structure where labor is no longer the primary means of survival or value creation. "We must stop focusing on creating AI capital and pivot to cultivating human capital centered on humanistic values," he said.

Addressing the practicalities of curricula in this volatile era, Professor Choi Hae-cheon (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Seoul National University) warned how the current education system's focus on adapting to trends limits the ability to move past a superficial level of skill and knowledge. "The role of universities is not to produce job-ready technicians for today, but to provide a robust basic education," he explained. By mastering the fundamental topics in academics, students can gain the versatility to apply their knowledge to any emerging field, including AI.

From a structural perspective, Professor Oh Jung-il (Department of Public Administration, Kyungpook National University) offered a pragmatic critique regarding the size of universities. He argued that for the flagship national universities to be viable partners in the connected university network proposed for the future, they must prioritize quality over quantity. He argued that bloated enrollments that demand increased budgets are unsustainable and, instead a leaner, high-quality structure is necessary.

The symposium underscored the future of education, putting emphasis on proactively preparing for integrating revolutionary technology into education, as well as adapting to the transformative age of AI. By leading intense and in-depth conversations, SNU's College of Education showed their commitment to navigating the complexities of the AI era, striving to build a university system that is sustainable and equitable.

Written by SNU English Editor, Suh Jeemin, [email protected]