"Training Fine Dust Experts"…18 Billion Won Support for 3 Designated Specialized Graduate Schools

Asia Economy DB=Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] The Ministry of Environment and the Korea Environmental Industry & Technology Institute announced on the 14th that they have designated Chung-Ang University, Hanseo University, and Pukyong National University as 'Graduate Schools Specialized in Fine Dust Management' to train fine dust experts.

Accordingly, the Environmental Industry & Technology Institute will support these three universities with approximately 1.8 billion KRW (600 million KRW per university) over three years starting this year. Each university will operate specialized educational programs for measurement, analysis, evaluation, and policy related to fine dust reduction and management.

The curriculum is divided into master's and doctoral degree programs and track courses. To cultivate professionals suited to the educational field, it is structured as a formal academic system composed of relevant subjects, linking at least four courses based on graduation credit requirements.

These universities will recruit 16 new master's students and track course students for fine dust management starting in June and will officially operate the graduate schools from September this year.

Furthermore, with the enforcement of the 'Special Act on Air Quality Improvement in Air Management Zones,' three additional air management zones outside the metropolitan area have been designated, and experts will be trained to serve as the foundation for solving fine dust issues in local communities.

To facilitate cooperation with air-related industries and public institutions, on-site training and internship programs will be introduced, along with employment-linked courses.

Graduates of the specialized educational programs are expected to possess capabilities to be immediately deployed in industrial sites for research on fine dust source analysis, emission source management, modeling, and fine dust reduction.

Geum Han-seung, Director of Air Environment Policy at the Ministry of Environment, stated, "To solve air environment problems, it is urgent to cultivate industry-tailored professionals who can understand and manage the generation processes of fine dust and other pollutants," adding, "Through specialized graduate schools, we will contribute not only to the national reduction and management of fine dust but also to the creation of local youth jobs."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.