Government to Implement University Research Fund Transparency Measure

Starting next year, each university will have to use special cards to use research funds when performing research projects regarding state policies.

The Korea Independent Commission Against Corruption revealed on August 2 that it arranged “a measure to improve transparency in executing university research funds” and advised related institutions, including the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development and the Ministry of Science and Technology, of this.

According to the measure, each university will only be able to use “special cards for research funds” issued by each university to expend its research funds when conducting research projects ordered by national institutions, starting next year. Currently, this system merely applies to some projects ordered by the Ministry of Science and Technology.

On top of that, in regards to receiving orders related to state policies, universities must unify their organizations for research fund management by setting up a central management organization that will conduct signings of research project contracts, buy materials related to projects, and perform research fund accounting management duties.

Kang-Myoung Chang tesomiom@donga.com