Major universities in Seoul welcome the government’s decision to allow voluntary leave of absence for medical schools

Delivery time2024-10-29 19:45

Yonsei University approved immediately, “It will take time”, Kyung Hee University ‘cautious’, etc. Temperature difference between universities… Concerns about overcrowding and overcrowding over capacity

A large-scale grade retention and expulsion incident was avoided, but ‘normalization of medical education is separate’… “Abolish the rapid increase in personnel” – “Find an agreement”

Government considers accepting voluntary approval for medical school leave of absence

(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Seo Dae-yeon = The Ministry of Education has decided to prospectively review approval for ‘unconditional medical students’ voluntary leave of absence’, which is a request from the medical community. When the presidents of national universities requested that universities voluntarily approve leave of absence reports submitted by medical students, the government changed its stubborn attitude and is reportedly considering the possibility of acceptance. The photo is from a medical school in downtown Seoul on the 29th. 2024.10.29 dwise@yna.co.kr

(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporters Hong Jun-seok, Ahn Jeong-hoon, and Choi Won-jeong =
The Ministry of Education changed its stance to leave the approval of leave of absence to universities autonomously.
Regarding this, major universities in Seoul showed a generally welcoming stance, calling it a ‘natural result’.

Despite the relief that a large-scale grade retention and expulsion incident was avoided, opinions were divided between the argument for ‘abolishing the increase’ and ‘drawing a consensus’, saying that normalizing medical education is a separate thing. Regarding classes that will be held when students return in the future and are over capacity, concerns surrounding the decline in ‘quality of education’ were expressed.

The Yonsei University College of Medicine Professor Emergency Response Committee issued a statement on the 29th, saying, “Respecting the university president’s authority to approve leave of absence is a natural conclusion,” and added, “Future discussions on the health and medical recovery process should also be conducted under the principle of listening to the claims of young medical students.” .

He added, “There should be no preconditions or threats of discriminatory treatment after returning to school for the approval of a leave of absence.” He added, “It is fortunate that the Ministry of Education has now faced some of the reality and respected the university’s autonomous, unconditional approval of a leave of absence.” .

Kang Hee-kyung, a professor at Seoul National University College of Medicine and Seoul National University Hospital and chair of the emergency response committee, said in a phone call with Yonhap News, “We welcome (the government’s decision), but in fact, not approving the leave of absence was itself an unconstitutional measure.”

Lim Jeong-mook, president of the Seoul National University Faculty Association, said, “This measure is welcome,” but pointed out, “Autonomy is guaranteed in name and reality only when the guidelines that infringe on the autonomy of universities and students that were in place before are eliminated.”

A private university president, who requested anonymity, said, “It is positive that the government took the university’s position and responded flexibly,” and added, “It is important from the students’ perspective that if they take a leave of absence rather than pay, students will be able to avoid paying tuition.”

He added, “When interviewed, the students also have a desire to return to university,” and added, “The Korean Medical Association and residents also need to find an agreement (in response to the government’s decision).”

In fact, there was a difference in temperature between universities as to whether or not they would go through the approval process for leave of absence.

Yonsei University immediately approved the medical student’s request for a leave of absence on the same day, and an official from another private university said, “We have followed the government’s policy so far, so we will take a leave of absence procedure,” and added, “I think we will listen to the students’ opinions first and then proceed with discussions.”

On the other hand, a Kyung Hee University official said, “No decision has been made yet (whether to approve the leave of absence). It was only agreed that the medical school would not decide on its own, but in consultation with the university headquarters. It will take time to make a decision to approve the leave of absence.” reported.

Even if the issue of approval for leave of absence was resolved, there were concerns that normalizing medical education was a separate issue.

Yonsei University Medical School Professor Emergency Committee said, “The hasty increase in the medical school quota and the so-called essential medical package, which have caused the current confusion, must be immediately scrapped and possible repair measures taken,” adding, “Everything, including the quota for the 2026 school year, must be discussed again from the beginning.” insisted.

Chairman Kang Hee-kyung said, “Even if the class of ’24 returns next year, if the current situation continues, 2.5 times the usual number of students will have to take classes together,” and “7,500 students will have to take classes together for the next 10 years. We will live in fierce competition.” .

honk0216@yna.co.kr

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2024/10/29 19:45 Sent