Soongsil, Konyang, Kyunghee, Myongji, Inha Universities Selected for 'Small and Medium Business Contract Departments'

Fostering Talent in AI and SoBuJang Sectors for SMEs... Support for Department Operating Expenses and Tuition Fees

Results of the Selection of New Host Universities for Contract Departments of Small and Medium Enterprises. [Table=Ministry of SMEs and Startups]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Jong-hwa] On the 6th, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups announced that it has selected five new lead universities to establish and operate 'SME Contract Departments' for training specialized personnel in artificial intelligence (AI) and the materials, parts, and equipment sectors.

In line with the government's new technology workforce development policy, the selected lead universities this time include three universities in the AI field: Soongsil University, Konyang University, and Kyung Hee University; and two universities in the materials, parts, and equipment field: Myongji University and Inha University, totaling five universities.

The 'SME Contract Departments' were introduced in 2010 using a 'work-first, study-later' approach to promote the inflow of personnel into SMEs and enhance the capabilities of current employees. With the selection of lead universities and departments for next year, a total of 70 contract departments at 49 universities nationwide will train specialized personnel for SMEs.

A total of 14 universities applied for this recruitment, showing a competition rate of 2.8:1. Through on-site surveys and face-to-face evaluations, comprehensive assessments of contract department operation plans and educational conditions were conducted, and the top five universities with the highest evaluations were selected.

The newly selected 'SME Contract Departments' will operate with approximately 20 students per department, and workers who have been employed at SMEs for more than six months are eligible to enroll. Lead universities operating the contract departments will receive operating funds (35 million KRW per semester), and the government will support up to 65% of the standard tuition fee (2.9 million KRW) required for participating students to complete their degree programs.

Looking at the main operation plans of the five newly selected universities' 'SME Contract Departments,' Soongsil University (AI·SW Convergence Department) plans to cultivate AI·SW convergence talent for SMEs who can enhance productivity in industries such as software platforms, finance, and gaming by integrating AI and software technologies, thereby strengthening national competitiveness.

Konyang University (Medical Artificial Intelligence Department) will train medical AI specialists who can respond to changes in the next-generation medical environment through interdisciplinary convergence-based medical fusion education involving the medical school and medical engineering college. Kyung Hee University (AI Technology Management Department) aims to nurture convergence talent equipped with AI technology and management mindset by integrating AI into management environments, enabling AI infrastructure construction and application across various industries.

Myongji University (Semiconductor Equipment Engineering Department) will cultivate core personnel contributing to strengthening the technological competitiveness of the domestic semiconductor industry through convergence education combining major-based education in electrical and electronic engineering, materials engineering, and software fields such as AI algorithms. Inha University (Smart Materials and Parts Engineering Department) will train specialized personnel to lead innovative growth in the materials and parts industry through a curriculum that integrates metal materials (root technologies, etc.) foundational to materials, parts, and equipment with smart manufacturing innovation.

Won Young-jun, Director of Technology Innovation Policy at the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, said, "Through this contract department selection, we expect to contribute to talent development and capacity building of workers in AI and materials, parts, and equipment sectors," adding, "We plan to continuously expand SME contract departments to nurture specialized personnel in new industrial fields in the future."

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