Yonsei University, Soonchunhyang University and 3 Other Regional Universities Launch 'So-Bu-Jang Innovation Labs'

228 Billion Invested Over 3 Years... Technology Development, Technical Consulting, and Demonstration Evaluation in 5 Specialized Fields Including Semiconductors and Machinery

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] The government announced that it has selected five major universities nationwide by region, including Yonsei University and Soonchunhyang University, as 'Materials, Components, and Equipment Innovation Labs' and plans to invest 22.8 billion KRW over three years.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy held an online 'Materials, Components, and Equipment Innovation Lab Launch Ceremony' on the 11th and announced that it will actively promote regionally specialized materials, components, and equipment technology innovation projects.

This project is being launched for the first time this year to enhance the technological capabilities of regional materials, components, and equipment specialized companies and to cultivate high-level talent in these fields.

Source: Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy

Five hub universities have been selected as 'Materials, Components, and Equipment Innovation Labs': Yonsei University in the metropolitan area, Soonchunhyang University in the Chungcheong and Gangwon regions, Jeonbuk National University in the Honam and Jeju regions, Kyungpook National University in the Gyeongbuk region, and Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) in the Gyeongnam region.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy plans to invest a total of 22.8 billion KRW over three years, including 4.2 billion KRW this year, in the five universities selected as innovation labs.

In the metropolitan area, Yonsei University will focus on research related to materials and components for atomic layer deposition (ALD), a next-generation semiconductor thin-film process.

In the Chungcheong and Gangwon regions, Soonchunhyang University will lead the development of luminescent ink materials for quantum dot organic light-emitting diodes (QD-OLED) and inkjet printing equipment.

In the Honam and Jeju regions (Jeonbuk National University), efforts will be made to develop nano-carbon composite materials for use in medical and optical industries; in the Gyeongbuk region (Kyungpook National University), composite performance motors and battery management systems for electric vehicles; and in the Gyeongnam region (UNIST), ultra-lightweight, highly corrosion-resistant magnesium for eco-friendly vehicles.

The universities selected as innovation labs will promote technology development and transfer together with participating companies. They will comprehensively support materials, components, and equipment companies within their regions through technical consulting, equipment, and manpower.

To this end, the innovation labs will develop educational programs targeting companies in their regions and provide one-on-one technical consulting based on demand surveys. They plan to establish a continuous support system through communication platforms.

They will also coordinate with the 'Materials, Components, and Equipment Convergence Innovation Support Group,' composed of 32 local public research institutes, to enable universities and research institutes in the region to collaborate in supporting materials, components, and equipment companies.

Park Dong-il, Director of Materials, Components, and Equipment Cooperation at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, said, "The innovation lab project will contribute to enhancing the innovation capabilities of universities and companies in materials, components, and equipment within the region," and added, "We will actively support the achievement of results."

Source: Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy

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