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JJU Office of International Affairs and Jeonbuk Business Agency Job Center Sign MOU for International Student Integration and Employment
"Full support for attracting and settling global talent in alignment with the Ministry of Justice's 'Region-Specific Visa' policy.“
Jeonju University, led by President Park Jin-bae, together with the Jeonbuk Business Agency Job Center, under the direction of Yeom-hyeong, finalized a business agreement (MOU) on March 28. This MOU is designed to boost the employment prospects of international students and support their successful integration into the Jeonbuk region.
Aligned with the Ministry of Justice's "Region-Specific Visa (F-2-R)" initiative, this agreement focuses on creating a supportive environment for international students to remain in the region post-graduation. Starting in 2025, international students who graduate from local universities, exhibit strong academic performance, Korean language proficiency, and a willingness to work, especially in areas with shrinking populations, will be eligible for the F-2-R visa. This visa is intended to help these graduates integrate into local communities and contribute to the local economy, particularly by working in small and medium-sized enterprises.
The collaboration between Jeonju University and the Jeonbuk Business Agency Job Center spans several key areas. These include co-managing programs to enhance the job readiness of foreign students, expanding advisory and informational support for their settlement in the region, and promoting the Region-Specific Visa program to encourage more international students to apply.
Shim Young-guk, Dean of the Office of International Affairs, expressed his commitment to recruiting and training exceptional international students from various countries and creating a support system in collaboration with local authorities to facilitate their settlement and employment. "Our goal is to invigorate the region and help it overcome the challenges of demographic decline, thereby promoting balanced regional development," Shim added. He also highlighted the potential future significance of the Region-Specific Visa program.
Yeom Gyeong-hyeong, Director of the Job Center, stressed the importance of universities and local governments actively supporting international students so they can concentrate on their studies and maintain a healthy lifestyle in the region. "By enhancing the employment support for international students through the Region-Specific Visa post-graduation, we aim to address labor shortages in local businesses and expand job opportunities for these graduates," Yeom noted.
Furthermore, he mentioned the recent adjustments to the Korean language proficiency requirements, which now enable the selection of highly capable individuals who can stably settle in the community. "This adjustment allows international graduates to work freely in various sectors within declining population areas, providing practical solutions to labor shortages," he explained.
Jeonju University has been a leader in employing international students in the region, with 74 international students recently securing jobs in local small and medium-sized enterprises, leveraging government programs like the Region-Specific Visa. This initiative underscores the university's pivotal role in fostering the employment and settlement of international students in the region.