Honam University Establishes Itself as a Prestigious Institution for Employment and Startups as an 'AI Specialized University'

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Cho Hyung-joo] Honam University (President Park Sang-chul) is establishing itself as a prestigious institution for student employment and entrepreneurship by leveraging its AI-specialized educational capabilities.

Honam University announced on the 22nd that it has been responding swiftly by breaking away from standardized department structures and curricula to nurture creative and convergent talents in the era of the 4th Industrial Revolution, developing innovative AI-centered educational programs, securing excellent faculty, and creating a comfortable educational environment.

In particular, keeping pace with the times such as the announcement of the national AI strategy and the establishment of the Gwangju Metropolitan City AI-centered Industrial Convergence Complex, the university has been implementing the ‘Dream 2028’ mid- to long-term university development plan since 2019, positioning itself as the only ‘AI-specialized university’ in Korea.

Additionally, through the successful execution of government-funded projects such as LINC+, PRIME, and the 4th Industrial Revolution Leading University project, it has strengthened its capabilities in the IT field. In 2020, it was selected for the Regional Innovation Platform project, and in 2021, for the AI Convergence University Support project hosted by the Ministry of Science and ICT and Gwangju Metropolitan City, as well as being designated as a general financial support university in the Ministry of Education’s Basic University Competency Diagnosis, securing greater momentum for AI specialization.

First, it is on a successful track for ‘AI Convergence Talent Development for All Students.’

Since 2019, the university has set the vision of ‘training all students as AI convergence talents’ and established a 10-year budget plan of 26 billion KRW, focusing investments on ▲ AI educational environment construction ▲ AI scholarships ▲ appointment of dedicated AI faculty and staff.

To realize this vision, five implementation strategies and detailed tasks are underway. To improve the AI convergence education structure, the AI Convergence College and AI Liberal Arts College were reorganized, and the AI Big Data Department was newly established (academic year 2022).

Since 2019, seven faculty members specializing in AI and software have been appointed, with plans to recruit an additional ten. To support AI education, organizations such as the AI Education Center and AI Big Data Research Institute have been established, and an AI-centered University Committee has been installed directly under the president to support the university’s overall AI education policies.

It has risen as a national AI popularization education institution.

Honam University is fulfilling its social responsibility by not only nurturing AI convergence talents among all students but also dedicating significant efforts to ‘AI popularization.’

The university, which has held special lectures and workshops throughout the year to strengthen AI capabilities among its internal members, has been conducting an online special lecture series titled ‘Curious Wednesdays - Time for IT Novices’ on new technologies for the entire nation since June, aiming to lead regional and national development and serve as a think tank driving growth.

The AI Big Data Research Institute of Honam University (Director Baek Ran), which planned and hosted this special lecture, intends to meet the expectations of youth who will be the future leaders of society by inviting top experts from the AI industry to conduct a Season 2 focusing on AI application technologies.

Also, this year, the university established the AI Big Data Department, completing preparations to intensively train professionals in two tracks: artificial intelligence and big data.

In particular, along with the intensive education on new technologies based on AI big data promoted by the AI Big Data Research Institute and the IT Square Project Group, the university plans to continuously expand popular education targeting youth nationwide and the general public.

To ensure the successful settlement of the Gwangju AI Convergence Complex, the university is also rolling up its sleeves to nurture AI automotive convergence specialists. From the fourth year onward, 30% of students participating in the AI convergence curriculum are expected to complete it, aiming to produce 100 AI convergence talents annually.

About 325 students participate annually in the AI convergence curriculum, which carries out 14 core tasks. The number of industry-academia cooperative courses with companies averages eight per year, and from the second year, global team projects are conducted with overseas universities (institutions). The university also plans to share the AI convergence curriculum with students from regional universities.

President Park Sang-chul stated, “Along with the rapid development of new technologies, universities must go beyond being places of academic learning to provide platforms for future technologies that can boldly promote and implement AI education to nurture talents who can play leading roles in future society. Being selected for the ‘National Service Award’ in the AI specialization category for two consecutive years is a result of such educational vision and practice. We will continue to do our best to cultivate practical AI convergence talents who will lead future new growth industries.”

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