Between August 17-18, 2021, DSU’s LINC+ Project Team co-hosted the Fifth University Living Lab Network
Forum, held at EXCO, Daegu. Sponsored by the Ministry of Education and the National Research Foundation of Korea, the University Living Lab Network is a ’university-led innovation platform’ in which 28 universities nationwide participated this year.

The first item on the agenda was the Global Living Lab, followed by the University Living Lab Policy session, a seminar and topic discussion session, and finally presentation and an exhibition. In consideration of the pandemic, both on-site and online live broadcasts were conducted, with only a minimum number of people in attendance at the forum site itself. Also, the ’Main Performance of Barrier-Free Living Lab’ was presented as an outstanding example of a university living lab, and outlined the innovative ways in which DSU has been cooperating with the Busan Community Media Foundation to produce barrier-free cultural content and media festivals for the disabled.

Professor Lee Hyeon-dong of the LINC+ Project Team said, “According to data from the Busan Social Welfare Development Institute, 97 percent of people with disabilities registered in Busan were unable to experience and participate in cultural and artistic activities. We are therefore currently operating and planning further programs to ensure the cultural and artistic interest and participation of all Busan citizens.” Kim Hyeong-woo, Director of the LINC+ Project Team added, “This forum has become a place to explore the development of the ’University Living Lab,’ a space within which the university and the region coexist. Through this forum, we will continue to take the lead in community contribution activities linking universities with their wider regions.”

Through initiatives such as these, DSU demonstrates its ongoing commitment to the field of community contribution. Since Janu- ary 2018, it has also served as the presiding institution of the Local Community Contribu- tion Research Association, which is affiliated with 10 universities throughout the country.