Pukyong National University

Pukyong National University Selected for the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries’ “Korean-Style Sea Grant” Program

- KRW 4.9 billion project through 2030 to address key issues in Yeongnam and Jeju and cultivate marine and fisheries professionals

Pukyong National University (President Sang-Hoon Bae) announced that it has been selected for the 2026 Marine and Fisheries Convergence Professional Workforce Development Program (Korean-Style Sea Grant) sponsored by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries.

This national program conducts research on regional issues in the marine and fisheries sector, disseminates research outcomes, and cultivates specialized professionals. Among the nation’s four regional clusters―West Sea, East Sea, Southwest Sea, and Yeongnam？Jeju―Pukyong National University was selected as the university responsible for the Yeongnam？Jeju Sea Grant program.

Through this selection, Pukyong National University will receive a total of KRW 4.984 billion in project funding over four years and nine months, from April 2026 to December 2030, to carry out specialized research and talent development initiatives. Since 2014, Pukyong National University has led the Sea Grant program in the Yeongnam region, serving as a regional innovation hub in the marine and fisheries sector.

In this project, the Yeongnam Sea Grant Center of Pukyong National University (Director Kyung-Hwe Kim, Professor of the Department of Ocean Engineering) will serve as the lead research institution, while Jeju National University and the Marine Eco-Technology Institute Co., Ltd. will participate as joint research institutions. Participating organizations also include the Busan Metropolitan Government, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, the Korea Marine Environment Management Corporation, and the Oyster Hanging Culture Fisheries Cooperative.

Through this initiative, Pukyong National University will identify and carry out research projects addressing regional issues by reflecting the needs of local governments, fishers, and marine and fisheries-related organizations. The research areas will include fishing village and fisher welfare, coastal conservation and development, marine cultural tourism, and marine and fisheries safety.

Major research projects planned under the program include △development of marine bio-healthcare technologies utilizing Sargassum horneri △production of renewable energy based on coastal contaminated sediments △analysis of the spatiotemporal changes in fisheries resources and diseases caused by climate change △development of grand-design technologies for marine landscapes aimed at increasing blue carbon.

In addition, the project will develop convergence-oriented university courses and educational programs to cultivate future research talent with strong field-based expertise, while also establishing public？private？industry？academic networks and a global cooperation system. Through these efforts, the university aims to achieve concrete outcomes, including the training of 37 master’s and doctoral-level specialists in regional issue research and the employment of 26 professionals in the marine and fisheries sector.

Professor Kyung-Hwe Kim stated, “Based on the achievements and expertise that Pukyong National University has accumulated in the marine and fisheries field, we will conduct field-oriented research tailored to solving regional issues and do our utmost to expand research outcomes and establish a foundation for cultivating specialized research personnel.” <Pukyong Today>