Hannam University "Recruiting Talents to Create Value and Illuminate the World"

Hannam University is dedicated to nurturing talents who possess both character and creativity, based on the founding philosophy of "Truth, Freedom, and Service." The university's founding philosophy is engraved on a monument installed on the campus. Photo by Hannam University

[Asia Economy (Daejeon) Reporter Jeong Il-woong] “We will open our doors not only to students who excel in basic academic skills but also to those who practice sharing through self-directed learning attitudes and a sense of community, so that together at the university we can create value and illuminate the world.” Eun Woong, Director of Admissions and Public Relations at Hannam University, said this ahead of the university’s early admission application period from the 23rd to the 28th.

The university’s slogan is ‘Character-Centered Creative Talent.’ This slogan embodies the determination to nurture Hannam students who, rather than merely chasing excellent academic grades in a hyper-competitive society, grow into creative talents with strong character, earning trust and recognition from everyone.

◆Hannam University, alma mater of ‘Sanago’= ‘Sanago’ (real name Kwon Won-jin), known as a master of 3D pens in Korea, is a talent produced by Hannam University and aligns with the university’s ideal type of talent.

Sanago, a graduate of the Department of Arts and Culture at this university, has been creating and sharing various works and videos using 3D pens since January 2018, becoming the first Korean YouTuber to do so. After three years of YouTube activity, Sanago has grown into a famous creator with 1.4 million domestic subscribers and 1.2 million international subscribers.

In particular, Sanago has recently delivered numerous social messages through projects such as the comfort women statue, Dokdo project (Dokdo road name address), the 100th anniversary figure of the March 1st Movement, and repairing old bus stops, enhancing the value of sharing through social contribution content creation.

Behind Sanago’s activities lies the university’s educational philosophy. Beyond practical skills in the major, the university’s emphasis on creativity and character has influenced Sanago’s external social activities.

Sanago said, “During my university years, participating in various projects made me think about ways to contribute to society. After graduation, I am glad to be able to create works that address social issues like the comfort women statue and the Dokdo project, providing topics for reflection.”

He added, “The experiences I gained at Hannam University and my continuous challenges in my field have shaped who I am today. I want to meet juniors like me and help them as a mentor.”

Creative prototypes devised and developed by students from multiple departments are on display. Provided by Hannam University

◆Creative and Convergent Classes… Specialized ‘Hannam Design Factory’= Hannam University established the ‘Hannam Design Factory’ last year. Following Yonsei University, it became the second institution in Korea to join the DFGN (Design Factory Global Network). The Design Factory is an innovative creative convergence education platform where students from multiple departments form teams, share ideas, and develop creative prototypes by breaking down departmental boundaries.

Currently, professors from departments such as Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Media and Video, Linton Global Business, Business Administration, Convergent Design, and Global IT Management collaborate with companies like Hyundai Construction and the Korea Water Resources Corporation within the Hannam Design Factory.

Representative products developed by the Hannam Design Factory include a smart insulin injection case that prevents hypoglycemia in diabetic patients, a wearable IV ring for comfortable injections, a safety fence equipped with voice and lighting functions to help pedestrians easily recognize approaching vehicles in children protection zones, and wheelchairs capable of overcoming high curbs.

Products developed by students undergo consultation with patent attorneys and proceed through patent application processes. To date, four patents have been filed, with six more in progress.

◆Customized Employment Programs for Public Institutions… Activation of Employment Support= Hannam University expects increased employment opportunities for its students in public institutions following the recent revision of the Innovation City Act. The Innovation City Act mandates a quota for hiring graduates from universities in the Daejeon area by public institutions. The targeted public institutions include Korea Railroad Corporation (KORAIL), Korea National Railway, Korea Water Resources Corporation, Korea Minting and Security Printing Corporation, Korea Consumer Agency, Korea Development Institute, among 51 institutions, with an estimated annual recruitment of 3,635 people this year.

In response to the revision of the Innovation City Act, Hannam University proactively formed a ‘Special NCS Class for Local Talent Recruitment in Public Institutions’ to assist students in tailored employment preparation. Alongside specialized employment programs for each public institution, the university operates over ten employment-related clubs driven by student autonomy, serving as stepping stones for public enterprise employment.

Separately, Hannam University has developed and operates the ‘Hannam Career Navigation System (HCNS)’ to support student employment. This system helps freshmen plan their career paths from the first year and encourages them to acquire the necessary competencies, certifications, and qualifications for each academic year.

Additionally, the university implements a mentor professor system and dedicated employment professors for each department, allowing students to regularly consult with mentors and employment professors about their career, employment, and overall university life.

Students are walking with bright expressions on the Ojeong-dong campus where cherry blossoms are in bloom. Provided by Hannam University

◆Consecutive National Project Selections… Top-tier University Evaluation= Hannam University was selected this year as a ‘4th Industrial Revolution Innovation Leading University’ by the Ministry of Education. This project supports multiple departments to operate convergent curricula to nurture innovative talents for the 4th Industrial Revolution era.

As a result of the selection, Hannam University will receive a budget of 2 billion KRW over two years, which will be used to cultivate talent in the extended reality (XR) new industry sector, encompassing virtual reality and augmented reality.

For example, the College of Engineering’s Multimedia Department (Media and Video, Multimedia Engineering) and five participating departments (Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Architecture, Architectural Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering) will converge to establish an XR Smart Media major and conduct corporate-linked education involving companies (institutions) in the extended reality industry.

Moreover, the university was selected as the lead institution for the 2020 Initial Startup Package by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, playing a pivotal role in nurturing promising startup companies. It has also been selected for four consecutive years for the Ministry of Education’s University Contribution to High School Education Support Project and for the University Admission Transparency Enhancement Project, achieving notable external accomplishments.

Above all, Hannam University solidifies its position as the top private university in the Chungcheong region by receiving the highest grade (A) in this year’s University Innovation Support Project evaluation.

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