Pukyong National University

Pukyong National University Launches Industry-Academic Collaboration in Smart Aquaculture with ‘Baby Unicorn’ AD Fisheries Relocated to Busan

- R&D Partnership Agreement Signed on August 12 for Smart Aquaculture

Pukyong National University (President Bae Sang-hoon) signed an industry-academic cooperation agreement on August 12 with AD Fisheries Co., Ltd. (CEO Lee Doo-hyun) to promote joint research and technology development in the field of smart aquaculture.

With Pukyong National University, a leader in fisheries science and marine industries, joining hands with AD Fisheries Co., Ltd.―an eco-friendly smart shrimp aquaculture company that recently relocated to Busan―the partnership is expected to play a pivotal role in advancing the future of the local aquaculture industry.

AD Fisheries Co., Ltd. has drawn attention as the first company in Korea’s aquaculture industry to export smart aquafarm plants. In May, the company was selected as a “Baby Unicorn” (early-stage high-potential startup) by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups ― a rare achievement in the fisheries sector.

To secure professional research talent, AD Fisheries recently relocated its headquarters from Seoul to Busan. With this move, the company is accelerating R&D and talent development efforts in partnership with Pukyong National University.

The two institutions plan to collaborate on the following through this agreement: △ Joint development and demonstration research of smart aquaculture technologies △ Operation of field training and internship programs linked to academia and industry △ Joint planning and execution of government R&D projects in the smart fisheries sector △ Support for undergraduate and graduate student research activities using AD Fisheries’ facilities.

Pukyong National University expects to maximize synergy through this industry-academia collaboration with AD Fisheries, as it currently operates an Aquaculture Systems Lab, a Smart Aquaculture Cluster, and a Smart Aquaculture Big Data Center. PKNU is also carrying out large-scale national R&D projects in the ‘blue food’ sector―recognized as a sustainable future growth industry―under the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries.

In particular, with the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries soon relocating to Busan, the two institutions have agreed to actively leverage their expertise and collaborate on various initiatives, including building a cooperative network among government, industry, academia, and research institutions to contribute to the development of the local Busan community. <Pukyong Today>