Samsung Establishes Contract Departments at Ulsan, Daegu, and Gwangju Institutes of Science and Technology to Foster Local Semiconductor Talent

UNIST, DGIST, and GIST Aim to Nurture 500 Talents Over 5 Years

Samsung Electronics is launching initiatives to nurture semiconductor talent in the manufacturing field in non-metropolitan areas such as Ulsan, Daegu, and Gwangju. The company has signed agreements with three science and technology institutes?Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), and Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST)?to cultivate a total of 500 talents over the next five years. The number of Samsung Electronics semiconductor contract departments will increase to seven in total.

"Nurturing Experts in Manufacturing Field"... Cultivating 100 Talents Annually

On the 27th, Samsung Electronics signed an agreement to establish semiconductor contract departments with three science and technology institutes located in Ulsan, Daegu, and Gwangju to systematically train semiconductor specialists, strengthen the national semiconductor ecosystem, and contribute to balanced regional development.

Samsung Electronics and the three institutes?UNIST, DGIST, and GIST?will select new students starting in the second half of this year and officially begin operating the contract departments in March next year. The number of students selected will be 40 at UNIST, 30 at DGIST, and 30 at GIST, totaling 100 annually. The education period will be five years in total.

From the left in the photo, Jo Jeonghee, Dean of GIST, Lee Hyeongseok, Member of the National Assembly, Park Raegil, Acting President of GIST, Song Jaehyeok, President and CTO of Samsung Electronics DS Division, Yang Hyangja, Member of the National Assembly, Kang Gijeong, Mayor of Gwangju Metropolitan City, and Park Seunghui, President in charge of CR at Samsung Electronics, are taking a commemorative photo after the agreement ceremony. / Photo by Samsung Electronics

The newly established departments will operate as the first 'Integrated Bachelor's and Master's Semiconductor Contract Department' program. As overcoming the limits of semiconductor miniaturization has emerged as an industry challenge, the program will focus on nurturing talent centered on semiconductor process control technology education. It will provide field-oriented education such as semiconductor cleanroom practice and interdisciplinary courses.

Samsung Electronics explained that with the establishment of these contract departments, they have created a system to evenly nurture talent in key semiconductor fields such as design, software, and manufacturing. Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong said, "We must grow together with local communities," adding, "Especially in difficult and challenging times, we should prepare for the future more boldly and actively."

Establishing a Base for Nurturing Talent in Non-Metropolitan Areas... Plans to Expand Contract Department Quotas

With the establishment of these contract departments, Samsung Electronics has set up a talent nurturing system in non-metropolitan areas such as Ulsan, Daegu, and Gwangju. This marks an opportunity to build a nationwide semiconductor talent infrastructure. The three science and technology institutes?UNIST, DGIST, and GIST?will serve as 'regional semiconductor talent nurturing hubs' that cultivate semiconductor experts locally and supply them to advanced industrial sites.

Samsung Electronics views these activities as a crucial milestone in creating a virtuous cycle system for talent development and industrial growth. It also believes this will contribute to revitalizing the national semiconductor ecosystem and expanding the base of science and technology.

From the left in the photo, Kook Yang, President of DGIST, and Nam Seok-woo, President of Samsung Electronics Manufacturing, are taking a commemorative photo after the agreement ceremony. / Photo by Samsung Electronics

Song Jae-hyuk, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Samsung Electronics' Device Solutions Division, said, "With the establishment of these contract departments, we have secured bases to systematically nurture semiconductor talent not only in Seoul, Daejeon, and Pohang but also in Daegu, Gwangju, and Ulsan." He added, "This will greatly help continuously secure talent befitting the status of a semiconductor powerhouse and achieve balanced regional development."

Previously, Samsung Electronics signed semiconductor contract department agreements with Sungkyunkwan University (2006), Yonsei University (2021), Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST, 2022), and Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH, 2023). It plans to increase the quotas of some existing contract departments in the future. Including the three new science and technology institutes' contract departments, by 2029, a total of seven contract departments will be able to produce 450 talents.

Samsung Electronics provides internship opportunities in the semiconductor industry to help contract department students grow into professionals equipped with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. The company fully covers tuition fees and provides scholarships so that students can focus on their studies. Samsung Electronics employees participate as mentors to support the students' growth. Employment in Samsung Electronics' semiconductor division is guaranteed after graduation.

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