Pukyong National University

Pukyong National University Selected as a Participating Institution in the Ministry of Science and ICT’s Next-Generation Engineers Development Program

― To Contribute to Building a Supra-Regional Industry-Academia Cooperation Network across Korea’s Eastern and Southwestern Regions

Pukyong National University has been selected as a participating institution in the ‘Next-Generation Engineers Development Program,’ newly established by the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) and the Korea Foundation for the Advancement of Science and Creativity (KOFAC). Through the program, the university will join the construction of a supra-regional industry-academia cooperation platform across Korea’s eastern and southwestern regions, led by Pusan National University.

On July 16, the Ministry of Science and ICT and KOFAC announced that Pusan National University and Yonsei University had been selected as the lead institutions for the ‘Next-Generation Engineers Development Program,’ an initiative aimed at innovating engineering education at science and engineering universities. Pukyong National University was selected as a participating institution in the Pusan National University consortium, alongside Kunsan National University and Mokpo National University.

Launched this year, the program is designed primarily to help science and engineering students develop practical skills that can be immediately applied in corporate settings. Under the program, students directly undertake research projects aimed at solving real-world challenges proposed by companies, with support provided by their universities and the government.

The consortium, comprising Pusan National University, Pukyong National University, Kunsan National University, and Mokpo National University, plans to establish a supra-regional industry-academia cooperation platform across Korea’s eastern and southwestern regions, focusing on four regionally specialized fields, including advanced robotics and manufacturing and next-generation energy. Its strategic technology areas include artificial intelligence (AI), advanced robotics and manufacturing, aerospace and marine technologies, secondary batteries, hydrogen, and next-generation nuclear power. Drawing on its research capabilities in marine and fisheries sciences as well as a wide range of advanced fields, Pukyong National University is expected to play a key role in fostering the next generation of engineers.

The consortium aims to foster more than 1,000 professionals capable of addressing regional challenges over the next five years by transforming industry issues into customized, practice-oriented projects and providing specialized hands-on training. Participating institutions, including Pukyong National University, are expected to operate practical curricula that draw on each university’s areas of strength.

Lee Jun-Bae, Director General for Future Talent Policy at the Ministry of Science and ICT, said, “Science and engineering universities are the cradle of scientific and technological talent who will drive innovation in advanced technologies such as AI, making innovation in science and engineering education essential.” He added that the ministry would actively support the lead universities selected this year so that they can serve as exemplary models for innovation in science and engineering education.