Fostering Future Railroad Technology R&D Talent... Industry-Academia-Research-Government MOU Signed

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Jiwon] Industry, academia, research institutes, and government agencies are joining forces to nurture talent that will lead future railway technology research and development (R&D).

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Korea Railroad Corporation, Korea Rail Network Authority, Korea Railroad Research Institute, Hyundai Rotem, and the Korean Council for University Education announced on the 4th that they signed an industry-academia-research-government memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the 2nd to foster young talent who will lead the future of railways.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport explained, "The global railway market is a massive market worth 232 trillion won," adding, "As Korea possesses the fourth-largest high-speed train manufacturing technology in the world, it is necessary to more actively nurture R&D talent to strengthen competitiveness."

Currently, there are a total of 10 universities (graduate schools) with specialized railway education programs. The Ministry signed this agreement to establish a virtuous cycle where talents who studied railways at universities achieve tangible results through follow-up research in the railway industry.

According to the agreement, industry, academia, research institutes, and government will identify core technologies for future railways based on the demands of the railway industry. Universities will implement support measures for railway technology R&D led proactively by the universities to induce railway technology R&D.

Measures will also be prepared to encourage follow-up research and performance creation after projects. To implement the agreement, related organizations will form a working committee, and in the second half of the year, railway industry entities such as Korea Railroad Corporation and Korea Rail Network Authority will secure funding.

After selecting universities to conduct pilot research through a call for core research projects, research centers that integrate industry, academia, and research institutes will also be selected at the universities.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport stated, "The government and the railway industry will work together to devise more diverse support measures so that young researchers can study railways at universities."

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