Pukyong National University

Pukyong National University Embarks on KRW 10.27 Billion RISE Project

？ RISE Project Launch Ceremony Held on the 23rd; Focus on Blue Food Tech and Energy Tech ？

Pukyong National University (President Bae Sang-hoon) held the launching ceremony and project briefing session for its RISE (Regional Innovation Strategy and Education) Initiative on the afternoon of the 23rd at the Pukyong Convention Hall, officially kicking off the project.

The event was attended by over 90 participants, including President Bae Sang-hoon, professors specializing in core fields, corporate partners, and project staff. Kim Chan-jung, Director of the RISE Project Management Office, presented detailed objectives and operational plans for each sub-project, followed by a Q&A session.

This year, Pukyong National University secured a total budget of KRW 10.27 billion through Busan’s RISE program under the research-centered university category. The university will implement a variety of initiatives aimed at nurturing research talent and strengthening R&D capabilities to lead the region’s future industries.

Pukyong National University has organized the RISE Project Group under the leadership of Vice President Ha Myung-shin, head of the initiative, with five divisions and a team of 31 members. The university is set to implement a total of 21 detailed projects. It has designated Blue Food Tech and Energy Tech as its specialized fields, and plans to focus on initiatives such as restructuring graduate curricula in these areas, promoting joint R&D with local companies, attracting international students, and establishing an open-startup university in partnership with other universities in the Nam-gu district.

Through these efforts, the university aims to achieve its core goals of talent innovation, industrial innovation, social innovation, and university innovation over the next five years. Specific targets include cultivating 500 research professionals, generating KRW 2 billion in technology transfer revenue, attracting 3,000 international students, and supporting the launch of 300 tenant companies.

In particular, Pukyong National University also presented its “PKNU Moonshot Project” plan at the event, a university-led initiative aligned with the RISE Project. The Moonshot Project is one of President Bae Sang-hoon’s key pledges. It aims to foster joint growth between the university and local small but strong enterprises, with the goal of nurturing unicorn companies. The university will invest KRW 900 million of its own budget in five future industry projects, and KRW 230 million in 15 humanities and social sciences projects that address local issues.

President Bae Sang-hoon stated, “Despite the recent shifts in higher education policy under the new government, the RISE Project is expected to expand further,” adding, “Pukyong National University will present its own RISE model through our capabilities and passion, and actively contribute to regional innovation.” <Pukyong Today>