New Daegu University president vows student-centered overhaul, lays groundwork for centennial vision

"A university's competitiveness ultimately begins with student success. I will transform this institution into one that takes full responsibility for the growth of every single student. Going beyond the upcoming 70th anniversary and toward a centennial Daegu University, I will make 'student success' the starting point and the destination of all academic and administrative work."

Daegu University President Yun Jae-ung made the remarks in an interview Wednesday afternoon on campus, ahead of his inauguration ceremony, expressing strong confidence as he named "student-centered transformation" the top priority of his four-year term.

He stressed his guiding philosophy: "It is not that students succeed because the university is good — it is that the university becomes good because students succeed."

Yun, who took office as the 14th president of Daegu University on July 1, said his vision is to move beyond simply recruiting students and instead build an institution that students and the broader community actively choose — even as the country faces sweeping changes driven by a declining school-age population and the rapid advance of AI and digital transformation.

Daegu University marks its 70th anniversary this year and is preparing for a new leap toward becoming a centennial institution. Yun stands at the forefront of that effort.

In the interview, he laid out the direction of university reform following his vision declaration and the institution's strategy for long-term sustainability.

— First, what are your thoughts on taking office as president?

▶ I feel a profound sense of responsibility. Since its founding in 1956, Daegu University has played a vital role in fields that society needs — special education, rehabilitation science and social welfare. The time has come to build on the educational and research capabilities we have accumulated and prepare for a new century. I believe the most important duty of a president is to ensure that every member of this community takes pride in the university and works together to shape its future. I will pursue change and innovation with the conviction that our pride builds the university's future.

— You declared your vision on Thursday, the same day as your inauguration. Could you briefly explain it?

▶ We proclaimed the slogan "PRIDE DU: A University Leading the Future through Student Success." It is a centennial vision built around six core initiatives — including the development of an AI-based system, the expansion of field-linked urban and international campuses, and the cultivation of specialized and flagship departments in rehabilitation, welfare and special education. To realize this, we set out five institutional ideals: a people-centered, warm university; a reliable and trustworthy university; an innovative-systems university; a dynamically growing university; and a university with strengthened external partnerships. The six core tasks are: strengthening regional linkage networks through public-private-academic cooperation and the creation of promising new departments; building field-linked urban and international campuses connecting the Gyeongsan campus, Daemyeong-dong and downtown hubs; establishing a flexible academic structure by easing minimum enrollment requirements and expanding convergence education; nurturing specialized fields and flagship departments in rehabilitation, welfare and special education; reinforcing a student-centered culture through an integrated student success support center; and advancing AI-based systems to convert administration, education and admissions to AI. The core is the shift to a student-centered university. From enrollment to graduation, the university will work alongside students to think through what they should learn and what competencies they need to develop. We will broaden student choice through expanded open-major programs, wider recruitment units and convergence education, and we will actively develop new curricula that reflect regional industry demand. At the same time, we will raise research competitiveness and strengthen industry-academia cooperation to build a structure in which education and research feed into regional development.

— The introduction of an AI-based competency and career management system stood out in the vision declaration. Could you elaborate?

▶ AI is not a technology confined to specific departments — it is an environment that transforms university education as a whole. We need to look at students' academic achievement, extracurricular activities, counseling and career paths in an integrated way and provide tailored education and programs to each student. I intend to build a system that manages the full life cycle of a student, from admission through graduation and employment. It is also important to have a system in which the university detects warning signs and steps in with support before a student's difficulties go unaddressed. Ultimately, I want to create an environment in which the university functions like a personal tutor for every student. Starting with this vision declaration, we will pursue a sweeping institutional overhaul through a three-phase implementation roadmap: Phase 1, foundation building (2026–2027); Phase 2, accelerating innovation (2027–2028); and Phase 3, future expansion and sustainability (from 2029 onward). We will go beyond simply teaching AI and realize a truly future-oriented university in which administration and education as a whole run on AI. By making the Gyeongsan campus the hub for residential life and practical training, and linking it with the Daemyeong-dong and downtown hubs through an innovative campus model, we will expand the stage on which students can challenge themselves and succeed.

— The university marks its 70th anniversary this year. Is there a goal you are determined to achieve during your term?

▶ It is to firmly lay the foundation for a centennial Daegu University. Rather than chasing short-term results, I will focus on building a sustainable institutional character. My goal is for students to feel proud of having chosen Daegu University and to be able to say, even after graduation, that it was the right choice. At the same time, I will further develop the university's strengths in special education, rehabilitation and social welfare, while cultivating new specialized fields connected to future industries such as AI, future mobility, healthcare and cultural content.

— The decline in the school-age population is a nationwide challenge. What is your approach?

▶ We cannot reverse the decline in the school-age population. That means universities must change. We need to shift from a quantitative competition to grow enrollment numbers to a qualitative competition focused on developing the capabilities of each individual student. It is also important to build a virtuous cycle in which students can learn, find employment and settle in the region by linking education to local industry. There are limits to what local governments, businesses and universities can achieve by operating separately. Universities must become platforms for regional innovation. I will connect education to Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province's future mobility, robotics, medical and healthcare, and AI and digital industries to build a university that grows together with the region.

— Finally, what message would you like to share with the university community?

▶ Change cannot be made by the president alone. It requires the participation of every member of this community — faculty, staff, students and alumni. Daegu University has outstanding educational assets and research capabilities built up over 70 years. What we need now is to bring that strength together as one. I want to ensure that our community members feel not anxiety about the university's future, but pride in the fact that they are actively building it. I would like to say to everyone: let us together create a centennial Daegu University — one that innovates boldly from a position of stability, and in which student success and regional development become the university's own growth.