Two Universities Unite for a 10 Billion KRW Project... UNIST and Ulsan University Launch 'Future Technology Talent Development' Initiative

Selected First for the Ministry of Science and ICT's 'Field-Linked Future-Leading Talent Development Support Project'

Formation of Future Technology Research Teams Linking Students, Professors, and Industry ... 11.4 Billion KRW Support for up to 5

On-site training scene of Professor Chulhyun Kwon's team from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at UNIST. UNIST and Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology are engaging in education to solve industrial field problems with the theme of future mobility. [Image source=UNIST]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-woo] Two universities are breaking down barriers and starting a joint project worth over 10 billion KRW to nurture talent that will lead future technologies.

When faced with a great purpose, there is no need to cling to the pride of "only our university does it." This is an innovative challenge by representative local universities aiming to elevate Ulsan, the industrial capital, into a leading city for future technologies.

Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST, President Lee Yong-hoon) and Ulsan University (President Oh Yeon-cheon) announced on the 19th that they were finally selected for the "2021 On-site Linked Future Leading Talent Nurturing Support Project."

The two universities selected for the project will secure up to 11.4 billion KRW in funding over the next five years to foster talent that will lead the region’s future technologies.

The "On-site Linked Future Leading Talent Nurturing Support Project" is led by the Ministry of Science and ICT (Minister Choi Ki-young). It supports research to solve industrial field problems and the development of joint university premium lectures to strengthen problem-solving capabilities of science and engineering university students.

This project was launched for the first time this year. Only one research group was selected nationwide. The "Future Technology Innovation Convergence Talent Nurturing Project Group," formed by breaking down barriers between UNIST College of Engineering and Ulsan University College of Engineering, was honored as the first selected group.

The project group appointed Kim Sung-yeop, Dean of UNIST College of Engineering, and Heo Seung-hyun, Associate Dean of Ulsan University College of Engineering, as co-directors. It operates with a total of 51 participating professors and 7 dedicated staff members.

Project Group Director Kim Sung-yeop said, "This is the result of recognizing the urgent need for change in the manufacturing-centered city of Ulsan, as well as the research capabilities and competitiveness for talent development of the participating universities." He emphasized, "We will create a model of win-win cooperation that achieves joint growth of students and local industries by solving industrial field problems using future technologies."

The project group will recruit a total of 60 university student research teams to support the process of solving on-site problems. Each research team consists of students, professors, and industry mentors.

Students who have already broken down barriers can form teams according to their desired topics regardless of their affiliated school or department and challenge themselves to solve on-site problems.

The topics are divided into three future industrial technologies: ▲ Future Mobility, ▲ Eco-friendly Energy, and ▲ Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Smart Factory Technologies.

The research group selected these topics through demand surveys of local companies and students and composed 20 practical problems for each field.

Students receive education closely linked to industrial sites, are provided with research facilities, and cultivate practical problem-solving skills.

Excellent results derived from the problem-solving process will be disseminated to local companies and educational institutions through various channels such as technology transfer to companies, startups, or online lectures.

UNIST President Lee Yong-hoon said, "In the era of the 4th Industrial Revolution, the need for practical talent who can solve on-site problems based on an understanding of future industrial technologies is increasing."

President Lee added, "The process of freely researching, creatively exploring, and solving on-site problems will be a great opportunity for student growth."

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