In a joint effort to address the recent budget cuts in the field of research and development (R&D), student bodies from various universities including the KAIST Undergraduate Association (KIND) have formed the University Students' Joint Action to Respond to the Policy of Reduction of the R&D Budget to express their concerns and demands. This collective initiative comes in response to the substantial reductions in R&D funding amounting to approximately 25% of the previous year’s budget, which has raised alarms among students, researchers, and academic institutions nationwide.
The government’s decision to drastically cut R&D funding in the 2024 national budget was approved during the 36th National Assembly Meeting on August 29. This has prompted student councils from universities including KAIST, DGIST, GIST, UNIST, POSTECH, KENTECH, Seoul National University, Yonsei University, Korea University, Hanyang University, and Ewha Womans University to form a unified front to address the situation. These student councils have engaged in multiple discussions and published a joint statement entitled “For a country where one can study in, for the country that wants to do research.”
The statement outlines three key demands. First, the joint action calls for a full re-evaluation of the 2024 R&D budget, emphasizing the need for transparency and for all stakeholders, including students and researchers, to participate meaningfully.
Secondly, the student bodies urge the government to engage in inclusive consultation with students and the scientific community during the re-evaluation process, ensuring that the concerns and suggestions of these stakeholders are genuinely taken into account.
Thirdly, the statement emphasizes the importance of transparency and thorough evaluation in all future policy decisions related to R&D funding. It advocates for rigorous examination and consensus-building processes to ensure that the nation's scientific and technological advancement remains on an upward trajectory.
The R&D budget cuts, particularly for research-oriented universities and institutions, are viewed as a significant threat to the future of South Korea’s scientific development. They are expected to not only affect the ongoing research projects but also have far-reaching consequences for the education of students and the nation’s future technological advancements. Furthermore, the joint action believes that these reductions not only harm the research environment but also jeopardize the dreams and aspirations of countless students who dedicate themselves to the pursuit of knowledge and innovation.
The government’s assertion that student funds will not be affected is met with skepticism, as the redistribution of funds may result in detrimental consequences for research activities and academic progress. As the joint statement indicates, this collective effort by university student bodies aims to make their voices heard and ensure that their demands are considered in the policymaking process, with the ultimate goal of safeguarding the nation’s scientific and technological future.