Eunpyeong-gu launches pilot linking each neighborhood to multiple universities

Seoul's Eunpyeong-gu said it is restructuring its existing "One Neighborhood, One University" initiative into a "One Neighborhood, Multiple Universities" model, launching a pilot in six administrative neighborhoods.

The original program, introduced in 2023, designated 16 neighborhood community centers as campus sites, allowing residents to access university faculty and facilities within their local areas. Built on the concept of pairing each neighborhood with a single partner university, the program integrated academic expertise around residents' everyday needs and local issues. Last year, 16 neighborhoods and 16 universities collaborated to run 27 locally tailored programs covering the environment, health, human rights, AI and the arts.

This year the district has introduced the expanded model and is piloting it across six neighborhoods — Bulgwang 1-dong, Galhyeon 2-dong, Daejo-dong, Eungam 2-dong, Sinsa 2-dong and Susaek-dong. Under the new structure, residents in a single neighborhood can choose from specialized curricula offered by multiple universities.

Featured programs include Kwangwoon University's course on AI-driven business strategy, the University of Seoul's picture-book emotional expression class for parents and children, and Seojeong University's training course for senior board game instructors — each reflecting the strengths of its respective institution.

All courses are led by faculty and specialist instructors from the participating universities. Based on the pilot results, Eunpyeong-gu plans to roll out the model in stages across all 16 neighborhoods.

District Mayor Kim Mi-kyung said the original program "was recognized for its excellence as a resident-centered lifelong learning model when it received the Korea Lifelong Learning Award last year," adding that the district would "continue working with universities to ensure that every resident has access to learning opportunities close to their daily lives."