Pukyong National University

Pukyong National University Holds Special Lecture by Park Hyung-joon, Mayor of Busan- On the 8th at the Pukyong Convention Hall, with the theme ‘Youth, Meeting the Global Hub City, Busan’Pukyong National University (President: Bae Sang-hoon) hosted a special lecture by Park Hyung-joon, Mayor of Busan, on April 8th at the Pukyong Convention Hall. The lecture, titled “Youth, Meeting the Global Hub City, Busan,” was attended by around 220 students, faculty, and staff. The university organized the event to share Busan’s global hub city strategy and youth policies with its members, aiming to motivate local youth to take an active role on the global stage. Mayor Park Hyung-joon stated, "Our country is facing challenges such as low birth rates, low growth, and widening gaps, exacerbated by the concentration of power in the Seoul metropolitan area. To solve these issues, we need to pursue innovative, balanced development by creating multiple innovation hubs." Mayor Park Hyung-joon also mentioned, "Busan, the world's second-largest transshipment port, is developing innovative infrastructure, such as a new airport and an expanded transportation network. With strengths and potential in new industries like finance, digital, and AI, as well as regional universities nurturing innovative talent, Busan has the capability to become a southern innovation hub and a global hub city." He continued, “Through a virtuous cycle where regional universities nurture talent, local businesses employ them, and the community supports them, we will make Busan a livable city and a global hub city. I hope that Pukyong National University students will become the new engine driving Busan’s future.” After the lecture, Mayor Park Hyung-joon held a Q&A session and took individual commemorative photos with the students.  

Pukyong National University Selected for 'World-Class Humanities Research Institute Development' under Humanities Korea 3.0- Global China Research Institute to Receive 4.8 Billion Won in Funding Over 6 Years to Become a World-Class Humanities Research InstitutePukyong National University (President Bae Sang-hoon) has been selected for the Humanities Korea 3.0 (HK3.0) program, a support project by the Ministry of Education and the National Research Foundation of Korea, aimed at fostering world-class humanities research institutes. The university's Global China Research Institute (Director Lee Bo-go, Professor of division of global and interdisciplinary studies) has been chosen for the research hub-type category of this program and will receive 800 million KRW annually, for a total of 4.8 billion KRW over 6 years. The institute will focus on the agenda "East Asian Youth Studies: Fluid Societies and the Formation of Youth Humanities" to conduct humanities research projects starting this year. The Humanities Korea (HK) support project is a major national initiative launched in 2007 to strengthen university-affiliated research institutes in the humanities, build research foundations, and create world-class research outcomes. The newly established Humanities Korea 3.0 (HK3.0) program continues the research achievements of the previous Humanities Korea (HK/HK+) support project and will continue to support the development of humanities. A total of 10 institutions have been selected this year, including 8 research hub-type institutions such as Pukyong National University and 2 consortium-type institutions. Pukyong National University has been consecutively selected for both the previous Humanities Korea Plus (HK+) and the Humanities Korea 3.0 support programs, earning recognition as a key institution for fostering regional humanities. As a result, the Global China Research Institute at Pukyong National University plans to establish "Youth Studies" as a new academic field to address issues such as population decline, regional extinction, and the youth crisis faced by Busan and East Asian cities. This initiative aims to overcome these challenges and expand the potential of young people in Busan and East Asia into a force that opens a new era. To achieve this, the research institute plans to establish a long-term transnational and interdisciplinary collaborative research system for East Asian Youth Studies and will create and operate a graduate-level joint program related to East Asian Youth Studies. Additionally, to promote regionally integrated and youth-centered humanities, the institute is pushing for the establishment of the Asia Regional Youth Humanities Lab (also known as A-Re-Youth Humanities Lab). Professor Lee Bo-go, Director of the Global China Research Institute, stated, "We will also focus on building an East Asian youth research archive and sharing infrastructure, aiming to establish Busan as a hub for expanding our international humanities research institute with a true East Asian focus." Selected for the World-Class Humanities Research Institute Development Program Pukyong National University Selected for 'World-Class Humanities Research Institute Development' under Humanities Korea 3.0- Global China Research Institute to Receive 4.8 Billion Won in Funding Over 6 Years to Become a World-Class Humanities Research Institute Pukyong National University (President Bae Sang-hoon) has been selected for the Humanities Korea 3.0 (HK3.0) program, a support project by the Ministry of Education and the National Research Foundation of Korea, aimed at fostering world-class humanities research institutes. The university's Global China Research Institute (Director Lee Bo-go, Professor of division of global and interdisciplinary studies) has been chosen for the research hub-type category of this program and will receive 800 million KRW annually, for a total of 4.8 billion KRW over 6 years. The institute will focus on the agenda "East Asian Youth Studies: Fluid Societies and the Formation of Youth Humanities" to conduct humanities research projects starting this year. The Humanities Korea (HK) support project is a major national initiative launched in 2007 to strengthen university-affiliated research institutes in the humanities, build research foundations, and create world-class research outcomes. The newly established Humanities Korea 3.0 (HK3.0) program continues the research achievements of the previous Humanities Korea (HK/HK+) support project and will continue to support the development of humanities. A total of 10 institutions have been selected this year, including 8 research hub-type institutions such as Pukyong National University and 2 consortium-type institutions. Pukyong National University has been consecutively selected for both the previous Humanities Korea Plus (HK+) and the Humanities Korea 3.0 support programs, earning recognition as a key institution for fostering regional humanities. As a result, the Global China Research Institute at Pukyong National University plans to establish "Youth Studies" as a new academic field to address issues such as population decline, regional extinction, and the youth crisis faced by Busan and East Asian cities. This initiative aims to overcome these challenges and expand the potential of young people in Busan and East Asia into a force that opens a new era. To achieve this, the research institute plans to establish a long-term transnational and interdisciplinary collaborative research system for East Asian Youth Studies and will create and operate a graduate-level joint program related to East Asian Youth Studies. Additionally, to promote regionally integrated and youth-centered humanities, the institute is pushing for the establishment of the Asia Regional Youth Humanities Lab (also known as A-Re-Youth Humanities Lab). Professor Lee Bo-go, Director of the Global China Research Institute, stated, "We will also focus on building an East Asian youth research archive and sharing infrastructure, aiming to establish Busan as a hub for expanding our international humanities research institute with a true East Asian focus."

Pukyong National University, a popular cherry blossom spot in Busan, holds the 'Pink Campus' Cherry Blossom Festival- On March 31 and April 1, at the Lawn Plaza and Baekgyeong Plaza... Various events including club performances and activitiesNational Pukyong University (President Bae Sang-hoon), a well-known cherry blossom destination in Busan held its annual 'Pink Campus' event on March 31 and April 1. National Pukyong university's cherry trees, which line the roads throughout the campus, bloom every year in a magnificent display, earning the university a reputation as 'The Most Beautiful Cherry Blossom Campus' and 'Busan's Cherry Blossom Landmark' on social media. Since 2014, National Pukyong University has been hosting the 'Pink Campus' cherry blossom festival during the bloom season, and this year marks the 12th anniversary of the event. As the cherry blossoms bloom, not only students but also local residents visit the campus, making it a celebrated time for the community. During the festival, National Pukyong University (President Bae Sang-hoon) organized various events led by the student council (President Hwang Dong-hyun) across the campus, including department and office booths around the Grass Plaza and Baekgyeong Plaza, as well as club performances and video screenings. Additionally, photo zones and picnic zones were set up for attendees to enjoy the campus' charm. Several events were held, such as a stamp collection game where attendees could win prizes by visiting various booths, and a special April Fools' Day event where students who wore their school uniforms to campus and posted photos on social media received rewards. In light of the recent forest fires, National Pukyong University held the festival in a calm atmosphere and made efforts to ensure safety by deploying safety monitors made up of students and staff members.  

Pukyong National University, Strengthens ‘Glocal University’ Through Collaboration with Industry, Academia, and Research Institutions- On the 27th, 7 organizations gather for the ‘Joint Symposium of Science and Technology-Related Institutions’Pukyong National University (President: Bae Sang-hoon) has taken steps to solidify its ‘Glocal University’ initiative through a strong collaborative network with local communities, industries, and research institutions. On March 27th, the university hosted the ‘2025 Pukyong National University - Joint Symposium of Science and Technology-Related Institutions’ at the Pukyong Convention Hall. The event brought together seven organizations, including Pukyong National University, the Korea Institute for the Advancement of Technology (KIAT), the Research and Development Special Zones Promotion Foundation, the Korea Institute of Materials Science (KIMS), the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology (KITECH), Busan Technopark, and the Busan Institute for Science and Technology Education & Promotion. Pukyong National University, with the final selection of the Glocal University 30 Project approaching this year, organized the symposium to highlight its strong regional-industry-academic-research network in the field of science and technology. The goal is to establish the university’s status and vision as a leading institution in advanced fields both domestically and internationally. The symposium began with a keynote lecture by Choi Cheol-jin, President of the Korea Institute of Materials Science, on the topic ‘National Materials Industry Development and Strategies for Solving National and Social Issues.’ This was followed by invited lectures from experts from various institutions on the theme ‘The Future of Sustainable Science and Technology Talent and Industry in the ESG Era.’ In the afternoon, Kim Jin-gyu, Director of the Korea Institute for the Advancement of Science and Technology, gave a lecture on ‘Science and Technology Commercialization and Talent Development,’ followed by presentations from Yoon Ji-eon, Director of the Busan Institute for Science and Technology Education & Promotion, on ‘Busan’s Science and Technology Support Policies,’ and Ahn Seong-gwan, Team Leader at Busan Technopark, on ‘Busan’s Strategic Industries and Development Policies.’ Pukyong National University’s Professor Go Min-seong concluded the session with a lecture on ‘Energy Innovation and New Materials.’ The symposium continued with presentations from Lee Sang-bok, Director of the Korea Institute of Materials Science, on ‘Development of Millimeter-Wave Band Electromagnetic Absorbing Composite Materials,’ Ha Kyung-nam, Group Leader at the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology, on ‘Intelligent Virtual Reality Robotics Industry,’ Kim Min-seong, Team Leader at the Foundation for the Promotion of Technology in Research and Development Zones, on ‘The Role of Public Technology Commercialization and Industry-Academia Collaboration,’ and Ahn Ye-chan, Professor at Pukyong National University, on ‘Advanced Biomedical Engineering Industry Technologies and Talent Development.’ Pukyong National University’s President Bae Sang-hoon emphasized, “We will expand collaborative research and technological development opportunities with science and technology-related institutions, creating new opportunities for cooperation. I am confident that our efforts will become a new milestone in solving practical industry problems and advancing science and technology.”  

Pukyong National University Selected for 'Global Advanced Strategic Industry Technology Management Talent Development Project'- 2.5 billion KRW over 5 years... Training more than 100 global technology management master's and doctoral studentsPukyong National University (President Bae Sang-hoon) has been selected for the 'Global Advanced Strategic Industry Technology Management Talent Development Project' by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Korea Institute for Industrial Economics & Trade. This project aims to train master's and doctoral level technology management professionals in advanced strategic industries, strengthening the technology management capabilities of small and medium-sized enterprises and fostering global technology commercialization professionals. Pukyong National University will lead the project through its Graduate School of Technology Management (Director Lee Woon-sik), in collaboration with the Korea Technology Finance Corporation, Busan Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Busan Technopark, Korea Shipbuilding & Marine Equipment Research Institute, Korea Robotics Convergence Institute, and Busan Venture Business Association. Eun-sik Lee, the Dean of the Graduate School of Technology Management, stated, "Through this project, we aim to achieve a significant leap in the region's specialized advanced industries and support innovation growth in local industries through global open innovation. We are committed to training customized talent that meets the needs of the region." Meanwhile, the Graduate School of Technology Management at Pukyong National University has been training technology management professionals for the 15th year since the launch of its Technology Management Cooperative Program in 2011, and has produced over 330 master's and doctoral degree holders in technology management to date.

Pukyong National University Undergraduate Paper Selected as Cover Article in International Journal- Electronic Engineering Majors Yoon Ji-won and Yoo Hye-im Develop High-Performance 3D Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy SensorPukyong National University (President: Bae Sang-hoon) announced that a research paper by Electronics Engineering students Yoon Ji-won (combined master's and doctoral program) and Yoo Hye-im (4th-year student) was published as the cover article in the SCI-level international journal (IF: 5.3), Volume 8, Issue 10, in February. In the cover article titled ‘Plasmonic Nanolamination for High-Performance SERS Substrates Based on Vertically Stacked 3D Multiple Nanogaps’ (supervised by Professor Nam Won-il), the researchers successfully developed a 3D vertical multi-nanogap structure with excellent uniformity and reproducibility using a nanolamination process, providing a new guide for high-performance surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy(SERS) sensors. SERS (Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy) is a powerful next-generation spectroscopic analysis technique capable of detecting trace amounts of substances, but its practical application has been challenging due to low signal reproducibility and uniformity. The conventional horizontally oriented nanogap structures faced limitations in precision control below 10 nm and difficulties in increasing the density of hotspots. To overcome these issues, the research team introduced a nanolamination technique using a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) stacking structure to create multiple vertical nanogaps, ensuring high-density and uniform hotspots. The research team maximized the SERS signal enhancement effect by selectively wet etching and removing the insulating layer, exposing the nanogap hotspots to the analyte molecules. Experimental results showed that under optimal etching conditions, the SERS signal enhancement factor reached up to 1.75 × 10^8, demonstrating high uniformity with a relative standard deviation (RSD) of 11% over an area of more than 400 pixels. Additionally, the team successfully created large-area substrates (16 cm²) at a low cost, making them reproducible using nanoimprint lithography. Professor Nam Won-il (Department of Electronic Engineering, Pukyong National University) stated, "This research presents a new approach that overcomes the limitations of uniformity and reproducibility of conventional SERS substrates. The nanolaminated SERS substrate we developed is expected to be applied in various practical fields such as environmental analysis, biosensors, food safety, and explosives detection." Meanwhile, Yun Ji-won and Yoo Hye-im achieved this result while conducting research as undergraduate researchers in the Nano-Photonics Lab of Professor Nam Won-il at Pukyong National University's Department of Electronic Engineering. Yun Ji-won is working on environmental sensing research using SERS, while Yoo Hye-im is conducting research on digital SERS and multivariate classification of cancer cells using SERS.

Pukyong National University to Re-Operate the Only ‘Marine Microalgae Bank’ in Korea- Resumes operation of the 'Marine Phytoplankton Resource Donation and Preservation Institution' after 10 yearsPukyong National University (President Bae Sang-hoon) has resumed the operation of the only 'Marine Microalgae Bank' in Korea after 10 years, strengthening its position as a supporting institution for the marine bioindustry. Pukyong National University has taken over the "Marine Plant Plankton Resource Deposit and Preservation Agency" (Director Professor Shin Hyun-ho) from the Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology (KIOST) and has begun full operations as of March. The Deposit and Preservation Agency is a project designated and supported by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to secure Korea's sovereignty over marine biological resources by designating excellent research institutions. Marine plant plankton is composed of various bioactive substances, including carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins. It also has the ability to fix carbon dioxide and purify water, making it a valuable biological resource that can be used in environmental problem-solving, biofuel production, and pharmaceutical material production, among other areas. Pukyong National University previously operated the "Marine Phytoplankton Bank," the predecessor of the "Marine Plant Plankton Resource Deposit and Preservation Agency," from 1995 to 2015. During that time, it distributed resources to domestic and international research institutions, industries, and educational organizations about 200 times a year, contributing to national research and development projects and the revitalization of the marine bioindustry. After the retirement of the operating head, the agency was transferred to the Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology (KIOST), a marine research institution. However, with the appointment of Professor Shin Hyun-ho, an expert in microalgae, to the Department of Aquatic Applied Life Science at Pukyong National University last year, the relocation process was initiated, allowing the agency to be re-operated. The "Marine Plant Plankton Resource Deposit and Preservation Agency" is equipped with specialized culture rooms and analytical equipment and is located on the 7th floor of Hanmir Hall at Pukyong National University. Currently, it holds around 500 species (with approximately 1,900 culture stocks) of marine plant plankton. Professor Shin Hyun-ho stated, "We are also establishing a resource search system linked with the resource search and distribution system (MBRIS) operated by the National Marine Biological Resource Center, which will be made public after security checks in April. We will work hard to ensure that domestic researchers can easily access marine plant plankton resources for their studies and that these resources can be applied to related industries." Meanwhile, Professor Shin Hyun-ho is an expert in the classification, physiology, ecology, and application of marine plant plankton and has published over 50 SCI-level papers over the past decade. Notably, he contributed to the recognition of new plant plankton species discovered in Korean waters by naming them after locations in Korea (such as Jeju Island, Geomun Island, Tongyeong, and Gunsan), thus promoting the recognition of these regions in domestic and international academic circles. Last year, he was awarded the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Award for Marine Biological Resources.  

Pukyong National University Launches 'Pukyong CEO Academy'- First Enrollment Ceremony Held at Pukyong Convention Hall on the 19th with Participation of Over 60 Local CEOsPukyong National University (President: Bae Sang-hoon) has launched the 'Pukyong CEO Academy,' a top executive program for regional opinion leaders, and held the first enrollment ceremony on March 19th at the Pukyong Convention Hall. The academy, which Pukyong National University has established as an innovative and differentiated global leadership education program, welcomed over 60 regional opinion leaders, including Pukyong National University Alumni Association President Park Se-ho, who is also the CEO of Wooju Sealings Group, Kim Kwang-hwi, Deputy Mayor of Future Innovation in Busan, Oh Eun-taek, Mayor of Nam-gu, Busan, and Lee Seong-rim, Chairman of the Busan Facilities Corporation. These leaders were inducted as the first batch of students. Pukyong National University will host weekly evening lectures every Wednesday for the next year, led by Vice President for External Affairs, Ha Myeong-sin. The program will feature a range of distinguished guest lecturers from both inside and outside the university. The courses will cover topics such as CEO leadership in management and finance, social responsibility and ownership in corporate governance, in-depth liberal arts courses in humanities, sports, and arts, as well as domestic training and onboard seminars. On this day, President Bae Sang-hoon took the lead as the first guest lecturer, delivering a special lecture titled "Pukyong National University with a Dream" to the participants. He emphasized the importance of educational collaboration and industry-academic cooperation between the university and the local community, strengthening networks for the development of both the region and the nation. President Bae Sang-hoon stated, "I expect this to be a precious opportunity for you, the leaders who will drive the future of the nation and the region, to grow as global leaders at our university, and for our university to innovate and leap forward together with you."   

Pukyong National University Opens ‘Department Room’ for 1,000 College of Liberal Studies Students- The "College of Liberal Studies Open Lounge" opens on the 19th at the 2nd floor of the Academic Information Center.Pukyong National University (President: Bae Sang-hoon) held the opening ceremony of the ‘College of Liberal Studies Open Lounge’ on the 2nd floor of the Academic Information Center on March 19. The ‘College of Liberal Studies Open Lounge’ is a specially designed space to help first-year students of the newly established College of Liberal Studies explore majors and engage in exchange activities. At universities, first-year students typically have the opportunity to interact with their peers and upperclassmen in their department's room (department lounge) during break times before and after lectures. Pukyong National University, however, created the Open Lounge to provide a similar space for the first-year students of the College of Liberal Studies, whose majors have not yet been decided. The lounge, located on the second floor of the Academic Information Center, which houses the central library, spans approximately 80 pyeong(approximately 264 square meters). The space is available to 896 first-year students of the College of Liberal Studies, as well as 148 major exploration mentors, totaling 1,044 people. The freshmen of the College of Liberal Studies can use this space, equipped with digital devices and seminar rooms, for studying, resting, and discussing. They can also engage in ongoing mentoring with major exploration mentors and guidance professors. Pukyong National University has established the Liberal Studies Mentoring Center to manage freshmen and has assigned a mentoring team of 148 current students and 73 faculty members from various departments for academic guidance. Pukyong National University has opened the Open Lounge for freshmen of the College of Liberal Studies to use freely, and to encourage its use, they are holding an opening event where visitors who participate in a survey will receive a commemorative gift. Professor Choi Ho-seok, the head of the Liberal Studies Mentoring Center, stated, "We will strive to make this space a place where students of the College of Liberal Studies can freely explore their majors, design their careers and future, and find motivation and vitality for their university life."