Pukyong National University

Pukyong National University to Establish ‘AX Innovation College’ for AI Convergence Talent Development

― New College to Recruit 38 Students Beginning with This Year’s Admissions Cycle

― Programs to Include the Department of AX Sustainable Convergence, the Department of AI Convergence Systems Engineering, and the AXIC School of Interdisciplinary Studies

Pukyong National University (President Sang-Hoon Bae) will establish the AX Innovation College beginning in the 2027 academic year to systematically nurture convergence-oriented talent capable of leading the artificial intelligence (AI) era.

Pukyong National University announced that the new college is being established in response to the rapid digital transformation and the widespread adoption of AI technologies, with the goal of systematically developing AI convergence talent to lead future industries. The establishment of the college is a key development strategy aimed at securing the university’s future growth engines and leading innovation in regional industries.

The AX Innovation College will foster future-ready professionals capable of applying AI technologies across diverse industries to solve real-world problems and create new values. Its programs will focus on developing interdisciplinary capabilities that can drive industrial innovation by integrating AI into strategic regional and national sectors, including oceans and fisheries, biotechnology, smart logistics, energy, and manufacturing.

To this end, Pukyong National University will establish two departments and one school within the AX Innovation College: the Department of AX Sustainable Convergence, the Department of AI Convergence Systems Engineering, and the AXIC School of Interdisciplinary Studies. A total of 38 freshmen will be recruited beginning with this year’s admissions cycle. Following the establishment of the new departments and adjustments to enrollment quotas, the university’s total undergraduate admission quota will increase by 20, from 3,338 to 3,358 students next year.

The Department of AX Sustainable Convergence will cultivate innovative professionals capable of using AI to design a sustainable future society and address industrial and social challenges. Through project-based education focused on identifying and solving real-world problems in fields such as fisheries and oceans, energy, manufacturing, and local communities, students will develop interdisciplinary thinking and practical problem-solving skills.

The Department of AI Convergence Systems Engineering will cultivate practice-oriented engineering professionals capable of leading the digital transformation of future industries through AI, data, and systems technologies. Along with advanced coursework in machine learning, generative AI, data science, cloud computing, and databases, the department plans to offer projects using real-world data from the marine, biotechnology, and smart logistics sectors to strengthen students’ industry-focused capabilities.

The AXIC School of Interdisciplinary Studies will support students in exploring a wide range of academic fields connected to AI after enrollment and designing individualized learning pathways suited to their aptitudes and career goals.

Through the AX Innovation College, Pukyong National University plans to move beyond its existing major-centered education system by establishing an AI-based convergence education platform and pursuing educational innovation aligned with the needs of future industries. In particular, building on its strengths as a national university specializing in oceans and fisheries, the university is expected to contribute to the digital transformation and enhanced competitiveness of regional strategic industries through differentiated education that integrates AI with the oceans and fisheries sector.

President Sang-Hoon Bae said, “Through the AX Innovation College, we will cultivate convergence-oriented professionals who understand AI and can apply it in industrial settings, while developing an innovative education model that proactively responds to changes in future society.” <Pukyong Today>