Journal of Digital Convergence (디지털융복합연구)

The Society of Digital Policy and Management (한국디지털정책학회)
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University Mergers in Finland and Norway and Their Policy Implications

핀란드와 노르웨이의 대학 통폐합 사례 분석 및 정책적 시사점

  • Chae, Jae-Eun (Dept. of Public Policy and Management, Gachon University) ;
  • Byoun, Su Youn (College of Mano General Education, Busan University of Foreign Studies)
  • 채재은 (가천대학교 행정학과) ;
  • 변수연 (부산외국어대학교 만오교양대학)
  • Received : 2019.06.30
  • Accepted : 2019.08.20
  • Published : 2019.08.28
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Abstract

This study analyzed the process of university mergers that took place in Finland and Norway in order to present policy implications for the Korean government considering university merger as an effective policy instrument for restructuring of the Korean higher education system. Based on reviewing the previous literature and related documents, researchers conducted a comparative case study on the context, strategies, and outcomes of the implementation of university merger policies of the two countries. The results of analyses suggested that combination of government's clear direction-setting and enhanced autonomy of merging institutions was essential for successful mergers. Considerations on upgrading the structure of the whole higher education sector to meet new needs of the future society were also suggested.

본 연구는 국립대학 통폐합을 과감하게 추진한 핀란드와 노르웨이의 정책 사례를 비교 분석하여 우리나라의 국립대 구조개혁에 필요한 시사점을 도출하기 위해서 수행되었다. 이를 위해 다양한 온라인/오프라인 문헌 자료들을 토대로 양국의 대학 통폐합의 추진 배경과 전략, 성과 등을 분석하였다. 분석 결과, 양국은 국립대간의 상보성 강화, 특성화 분야 발굴, 대학운영의 효율성 제고 등을 위해 국립대 통폐합을 과감하게 추진한 공통점이 있는 반면에, 추진전략 면에서는 차이가 있었다. 핀란드는 국립대학의 자율적 운영과 책무성 강화를 위해 법인화를 대대적으로 추진한 후 '대학 자율성 기반'의 통폐합을 진행하고 성과기반 재정지원을 통해서 그 효과를 강화해온 반면에, 노르웨이는 초기에는 정부주도형으로 국립대 통폐합을 추진하였으나, 대학들의 반발에 부딪히면서 자율적 통폐합으로 선회하였다. 양국 사례는 대학 수 및 입학정원 감축 등과 같은 '고등교육 규모의 양적 축소' 보다는 '고등교육의 경쟁력 및 질 향상'이 국립대 통폐합의 궁극적인 목적이 되어야 하며, 이를 위한 선결요건(대학운영의 자율성 보장, 거버넌스 개혁, 재정지원방식 혁신 등)이 충족되어야 통폐합의 취지가 제대로 살아날 수 있음을 시사한다.

Keywords

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