이공계 대학원의 건전한 연구환경 조성을 위한 지원요소 발굴 연구

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

A Study on the Discovery of New Policy Support Elements for Graduate Schools in Science and Engineering

ㆍProject Leader: Hye-Sun Lee
ㆍParticipants: Kawon Cho·Mi-Jung Um·Sooah Sohn·Jungmin Yoo

1. Introduction
In Korea, graduate schools in science and engineering (S&E) play a critical role in knowledge creation and human resource development, which are considered as key drivers of national future growth. Recognizing this importance, the Korean government has been continuously providing support strategies for over 20 years. The official basis for supporting S&E graduate schools was established in the early 2000s by enacting the Special Act Special Act on Support of Scientists and Engineers for Strengthening National Science and Technology Competitiveness
and establishing corresponding Basic Plans Basic Plan for Nurturing and Supporting Scientific Talents
. In line with this approach, various support measures have been implemented proactively and in detail. The policy tasks in mid-2010 included support measures for S&E graduate schools. Additionally, government ministries and affiliated public institutions have consistently announced relevant support policies and plans.
These governmental efforts have contributed to the R&D performance of S&E graduate schools; however, a policy gap exists, especially in their educational and research environment. For example, cases of human rights violations against graduate students in S&E graduate schools are occasionally being reported in the media. It is imperative to examine the environmental issues that have been overlooked by government support, which has predominantly focused on short-term performance outcomes. Furthermore, a comprehensive examination of the current conditions and challenges faced by S&E graduate schools is necessary. Therefore, this study aims to identify the structural characteristics of S&E graduate schools and the relevant and emerging issues especially in their education and research activities. For this purpose, this study defines the education and research environment of S&E graduate schools as the physical, human, institutional and cultural conditions that influence educational and research activities, as well as the relationships among these factors.

2. Understanding the Education and Research Environment in S&E Graduate Schools
Graduate schools play a crucial role in cultivating the core workforce for the national R&D sector. S&E graduate schools did not gain prominence in the early stages, even though students acquire skills and knowledge through research activities while earning master’s (or higher) degrees. After the mid-1980s, the government recognized their importance and increased financial support for S&E graduate schools as part of promoting domestic R&D. This investment led to the expansion of research activities in S&E graduate schools, resulting in significant financial dependency. As of 2022, universities account for 9.1% of the national R&D expenditure and 19.1% of the total R&D researchers, highlighting their growing role in national R&D. Examining the financial structure of these universities, 75.7% of their research funds are procured from government support, indicating that research activities at universities, including S&E graduate schools, are largely influenced by government policy.
In order to understand more in detail the environment of education and research in S&E graduate schools, a series of surveys have been conducted since the mid-2010s, in alignment with the growing government support. These surveys are carried out by various entities, including government ministries, universities, and so on. The MSIT (Ministry of Science and ICT) and its associated institutions mainly conducted one-time surveys (e.g., Presidential Committee on Young Generation, National Human Rights Commission, National Research Foundation of Korea). In addition, universities have implemented their own annual surveys to provide foundational insights into university policy decisions (e.g., KAIST, POSTECH, DGIST and GIST). The survey results show that issues related to the environment of S&E graduate schools still remain, even though several indicators imply environmental improvements.

3. Identifying Key Issues of the Education and Research Environment in S&E Graduate Schools
This study discusses key issues based on two main criteria: fundamental and supplementary requirements, considering the importance and influence on education and research environment in S&E graduate schools. The fundamental requirements, which have a dominant influence, were deliberated in terms of the financial status, student rights protection, lab safety, and research ethics. The supplementary requirements aimed at improving educational and research activities, was explored in relation to the recent issue concerning international students.
In the case of fundamental requirements, relevant policies, programs, and systems have been established to some extent. The financial conditions of graduate students, in particular, has been the subject of ongoing discussions. Thus, the payment process and scale of student stipends are improving and the Korean stipend for S&E graduate schools is scheduled to be implemented in 2025.
In terms of supplementary requirements, the international student issue addressed. Over the last 20 years, the Korean government has continuously improved policies and eased regulations to attract international student. As a result, the number and population of international students in domestic graduate schools have increased rapidly. Despite the growing population, discussions about their influence on S&E graduate schools has been insufficient. According to a recent survey, half of the respondents reported experiencing reverse discrimination in laboratory settings compared to international students. A rigorous and systematic discussion is required on the impact of the rapidly increasing number of international students on S&E graduate schools.
4. Analysis of the Changes and Challenges in S&E Graduate Schools
A survey and interviews were conducted to identify the recognition of the environment and challenges in S&E graduate schools. The survey aimed to identify challenges specific to different types of universities and examine the response status regarding key issues, targeting senior faculty members involved in S&E graduate schools. A total 104 subjects, including deans of colleges of natural sciences and engineering, from 78 four-year universities with S&E graduate programs, responded to the survey. The main challenges identified by respondents are related to student recruitment and R&D funding. The faculty members are particularly concerned about the scale and stability of R&D financial support from the government and emphasize the need for policy support in this regard. On the other hand, with regard to the international student issue, the institutional framework for supporting them has been largely established in most universities. However, a significant gap in the proficiency of universities in managing and responding to international student issues has been identified as a limitation.
On the other hand, the interview was designed to identify the status that students recognize in their education and research activities, targeting each university’s graduate student councils. A total of 19 participants, including executive members of graduate student councils from four universities and graduate students in S&E, took part in the interview. According to the responses, the importance of financial conditions and the need for improvement were prominently highlighted. In particular, the recent reduction policy in R&D funding has not only created difficulties for graduate students in conducting research but has also led to issues such as the inability to purchase research equipment and the suspension of overseas dispatch programs. Ultimately, these challenges have been found to impact the long-term career and academic plans of graduate students in S&E.
5. Conclusion and Policy Implications
This study identified the following structural issues in the educational and research activities of S&E graduate schools. First, inefficient communication imposes a burden on research labs of S&E graduate school. The one-on-one interaction Communication between the government and each research laboratory, as well as between each university and laboratory
models tend to place research labs and their student members in a hierarchically subordinate position, making them more susceptible to excessive workloads. Second, the enrollment capacity of graduate programs in S&E fields needs be carefully managed to address the mismatch between the supply and demand of qualified human resources. In light of significant transformations in higher education and the labor market, it is necessary to optimize the number of graduate students in S&E graduate schools. It leads to the managing of decline in the school-age population and ensuring favorable labor market conditions for new master’s and doctoral degree holders. Third, it is observed that the role and functions of S&E graduate schools have been defined in multiple ways depending on policy and institutional benefits. This multiple definitions have led to the emergence of various issues including inadequate wage compensation and a prevailing sense of social devaluation.
In addition, the current educational and research challenges of S&E graduate schools amid environmental changes are summarized as follows. First, the current official survey results have limitations in providing a meaningful understanding of the present situation. The differences between the current survey indicators, such as timing, target groups, and content, lead to limitations in accumulating and utilizing relevant data. Second, S&E graduate schools continue to face challenges such as administrative burdens and disparities in research environments. These issues stem from insufficient institutional support and a lack of shared awareness among the members. Lastly, the proposing of an advanced research laboratory operation model is required. The most important aspect of improving environmental condition is not only to improve the basic conditions but also to make S&E graduate schools adapt and institutionalize an advanced model.
This study suggests two tracks of supporting program based on the analysis of the current status in S&E graduate schools. Supporting programs related to the fundamental requirements need to be addressed from a long-term perspective. First, the establishment of governance and the support for it are necessary. The governance is composed of each entity (government-college-each laboratory-graduate student council). To account for differences in the status of each university, it is deemed necessary to support the establishment of graduate student governance centered around the general student council. Second, It is necessary to optimize the number of incoming students in S&E graduate schools to respond to macro-level environment changes, such as demographic shifts and labor market fluctuations. In addition, the introduction of policies that reflect the specific circumstances and challenges of each graduate school will also be a crucial issue. Finally, initiatives should be undertaken to establish and publicly discuss the identity of graduate schools and students in S&E fields, with the aim of improving social perception and mitigating conflicts.
Supporting programs related to the supplementary requirements proposed in this study, are as follows. First, it is necessary to assess and accumulate data on the educational and research environment of S&E graduate schools in connection with existing surveys. Second, research activities and research administrative tasks (e.g., support service for international students) should be separated and properly supported. Lastly, it is proposed to establish measures to encourage the overall improvement of the culture and conditions in S&E graduate schools.

국문 초록 (Abstract)

[연구목적]
○ 이공계 대학원의 건전한 연구환경 및 문화 조성을 위한 지원요소 발굴 및 지원방안 도출
1. 문화역사적 활동이론을 토대로 국내 이공계 대학원 교육·연구활동의 구조적 특성을 확인
2. 기존의 정책적 노력과 최근의 환경변화를 고려한 이공계 대학원의 교육·연구환경 이슈와 지원과제를 발굴·제언

[정책대안]
□변화된 이공계 대학원을 위한 지원과제 제언(안)
○기본요건 관련(중장기 지원방향)
· 정부-대학-연구실-자치기구 등의 이공계 대학원 거버넌스 확립 및 지원
- 대학별 현황 차이를 고려한 총학 중심의 대학원생 거버넌스 구축 지원
· 이공계 대학원별 현황 및 애로사항을 반영한 이공계 대학원 적정화 및 특성화
· 사회적 인식 개선 및 갈등 완화를 위한 이공계 대학원(생)의 정체성 확립 및 공론화

○지원요건 관련(단기 지원방안)
· 기존 조사와 연계한 이공계 대학원 교육·연구환경 실태파악(재가공 보고서) 및 축적
· 외국인 유학생 지원 등 행정업무의 분리 및 지원체계 마련
· 교육 목적의 ‘건강한 연구실’ 발굴 및 확산

목차 (Table of Contents)

• 국문 요약 i
• 영문 요약 I
• 제1장 서론 1
• 제1절 연구의 배경 및 목적 1
• 제2절 교육･연구환경의 분석틀 3
• 1. 분석의 초점: 교육･연구활동 3
• 2. 문화역사적 활동이론(CHAT) 5
• 3. 본 연구의 분석 틀 9
• 제3절 연구의 내용 및 방법 10
• 제2장 이공계 대학원 교육･연구활동의 이해 11
• 제1절 고등교육기관의 교육･연구 11
• 1. 역사적 맥락 11
• 2. 대학의 교육･연구 현황 12
• 제2절 이공계 대학원의 주요 지원정책 현황 22
• 1. 과기인재 기본계획 외 22
• 2. 과기인재 관련 계획･사업 27
• 제3절 이공계 대학원의 연구환경 조사 현황 33
• 1. 기존조사 현황 33
• 2. 실태조사 주요 결과 요약 40
• 3. 소결 47
• 제4절 주요국의 이공계 대학원 지원현황 49
• 1. 유럽(EU) 49
• 2. 미국 65
• 제3장 이공계 교육･연구환경의 주요 이슈별 변화 진단 78
• 제1절 기본요건 관련 79
• 1. 경제적 여건: 학생인건비를 중심으로 79
• 2. 권익 보호 82
• 3. 연구 윤리 86
• 4. 연구실 안전 92
• 제2절 지원요건 관련: 외국인 유학생 이슈 98
• 1. 외국인 유학생 현황 98
• 2. 외국인 유학생 유치 정책 100
• 3. 외국인 유학생 영향과 우려 105
• 제4장 이공계 대학원의 현황과 애로사항 분석 106
• 제1절 조사 개요 106
• 1. 조사의 목적 및 기준 106
• 2. 조사 도구 및 참여자 현황 109
• 제2절 이공계 대학원의 애로사항 분석 113
• 제3절 이공계 대학원생의 교육･연구환경 인식 124
• 1. 기본요건 관련 124
• 2. 지원요건 및 현안 관련 132
• 제5장 결론 및 시사점 137
• 제1절 이공계 대학원 교육･연구활동의 구조적 특성 137
• 1. 이공계 대학원의 교육･연구활동체제 분석 137
• 2. 이공계 대학원의 교육･연구활동 관련 모순들 140
• 제2절 이공계 대학원의 교육･연구환경 이슈 및 현안 진단 143
• 1. 이공계 대학원 교육･연구활동의 구조적 이슈 진단 143
• 2. 이공계 대학원의 교육･연구활동 관련 현안 진단 144
• 제3절 이공계 대학원 교육･연구활동의 지원과제 146
• 참고문헌 149
• 부 록 159