Pusan National University is Korea's first national University, established in May 1946.
Thanks to the people's love, Pusan National University was able to turn on its light for academic research and truth on the beautiful skirts of Geumjeongsan (Mt.) 72 years ago. Amidst the ruins of war at a time when mere survival was difficult, the founding principle of truth, freedom, and service of the first president of Pusan National University Yoon In-goo, the desire for education among the people, and the generous support of local businesses became the pillar of today's Pusan National University.
The 72-year history of Pusan National University went along with industrialization and democratization. During industrialization, it contributed to Korea's economic development by providing talented human resources, knowledge, and technologies, and the University also stoop up boldly for democratization.
Pusan National University concentrates on growth, integration, and innovation in today's rapidly changing educational environment and cooperation. It is pursuing a creative knowledge community by constructing four multi-campuses that connect Busan-Yangsan-Milyang-Ami-dong, attracting five specialized professional graduate schools and advancing the educational environment, and innovative integrated elite education based on convergence and innovation.
Today, Pusan National University is recording the best research and educational performance among Korea's national universities in various indices. Furthermore, the 210,000 strong alumni are staying active in various fields and areas, thereby supporting the development of PNU and shedding honor to the school.
In celebration of the 72nd anniversary, PNU will be a national university comprised of students' future, the pride of professors, and the rewarding experience of employees.
We will take root as a global research-oriented university more firmly through self-initiated efforts to make changes and innovation.
Although the University started initially with just two faculties, the Faculty of Humanities and the Faculty of Fisheries, it has grown into a significant research level institution covering all the major disciplines within academia. Today, the University enjoys its reputation as one of the top universities in Korea.
The University now comprises fifteen colleges, one independent division, one general graduate school, four professional graduate schools, and five special graduate schools. It contributes to the nation's development by producing prominent experts and talented leaders.
PNU is Korea's first national University, having been established on May 15, 1946. While leading a path to industrialization and democratization, the University has fulfilled its mission as a regional hub university, actively engaged in the incredible journey of Korea's modern history. PNU's dream of becoming a global research-oriented university is unfolding. It strives to create a university of the future by working to better students and the community.
Despite a complex post-war environment, with no system that shapes a nation in place after the country gained independence in 1945, there was a great passion for fostering the human resources that later would lead Korea.
At the time, the authorities of Gyeongsangnam-do focused their energies on establishing a national university, which was the dream expressed by local citizens. So the leadership applied all of its efforts in procuring KRW 10 million for the university foundation fund, which had been proposed by the United States Military Government in Korea. In a show of regional spirit, residents and businesses together donated a total of nearly KRW 10,330,000, well above the original goal. The money was used to fund the establishment of Korea's first national University. In contrast, additional donations were used to procure many books to fill the new university library.
On May 15, 1946, Gyeongsangnam-do Academic Division Director Yoon In-gu and School Affairs Advisor Lieutenant Eddy worked with the relevant agencies and obtained the final approval of Korea's education ministries and the United States to confirm the establishment of Pusan National University. Its original official name was Pusan National College, and it opened with the two departments of humanities and maritime affairs.
First university president Yoon In-gu sets school philosophy as "Truth, Freedom, and Service" at Saebyeokbeol, the university site. By 1953, Pusan National College comprised six colleges: the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the College of Law, the College of Commerce, the College of Engineering, the College of Pharmacy, and the College of Medicine, and so on April 3 of that year the college was promoted to a comprehensive university by obtaining a presidential sanction.
On September 15 of the same year, the Decree on the Establishment of National Universities was revised. With the Presidential Decree on the Establishment of Pusan National University being announced, PNU was officially launched as a comprehensive national university. On November 26, Dr. Yoon In-gu was appointed the University's first president.
U.S. Military Command General Richard Whitcomb impressed with Yoon In-gu's campus layout and provided full support PNU's first president, Yoon In-gu, faced difficulties finding a site after launching Korea's first national University in 1946, so he met with U.S. Army general Richard Whitcomb, who was commander of the UN Forces Military Command in Busan at the time and showed him the bell-shaped campus layout that Yoon had designed. The president also presented his vision and dreams for education in Korea and asked for assistance.
General Whitcomb, who was moved by President Yoon's passion and dedication, stepped up to persuade the president of South Korea, Syngman Rhee, and the governor of Gyeongsangnam-do to procure a site spanning across more than 1.65 million square meters in the Jangjeon-dong neighborhood in the district of Geumjeong-gu, Busan and successfully acquiring the land. General Whitcomb had the Korean Civil Aid Corporation (KCAC) program assist with facility construction of the new campus on the site received free of charge, and the U.S. Corps of Engineers was mobilized to connect the roads between Oncheon-dong and PNU.
PNU procured the site for the main campus on an area of 1.65 million square meters of land on the eastern skirt of Geumjeong Mountain in early 1954. In December of that same year, the Hyowon Building construction ceremony was held to herald the start of the 'Age of the Hyowon Campus' in earnest. The Saebkyeokbeol Hyowon Campus became the exemplification of the university motto of truth, freedom, and service, and the new campus served as the permanent cradle of higher education and research. Based on its proud tradition and history, PNU is making an energetic leap to the world's top tier.
PNU, the right University that lives up to the values of truth, freedom, and service, creates a new value system based on a humanitarian spirit and its insights on the times' trends. PNU provides and realizes a future vision for society through academic research and HR development, contributing to humanity and society's development.
PNU pursues truth and conducts education and research for academic advancement based on imagination and creativity. It is securing global competitiveness as a real university that represents Korea. Simultaneously, developing talents with creativity and extensive knowledge, who have insights on the times and are actively engaged in their communities and society.
PNU safeguards freedom, the fundamental value of life, and pursues truth and education based on a spirit of co-prosperity, cooperation, and harmony with the community. It is a real university that fosters mature individuals with creative and active attitudes and capabilities to serve the country and humankind's development.
A university needs to explore knowledge and education based on freedom and truth and provide various humanitarian services to develop society and the country. PNU is a real university.
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