Chonnam National University and Amkor to Collaborate on Local Semiconductor Packaging Workforce Development and Research

Industry-Academia-Research Institute to Be Established in January Next Year

Chonnam National University and Amkor Technology Korea Co., Ltd. will collaborate on local semiconductor packaging workforce development and research cooperation. Photo by Chonnam National University

Chonnam National University announced on the 18th that it will collaborate with the global semiconductor company Amkor Technology Korea Co., Ltd. on local semiconductor packaging workforce development and research cooperation. This partnership, which includes hands-on training, a large-scale equipment donation, the establishment of a joint research institute, and a parliamentary-level policy forum, is significant as it represents the concrete realization of the industry-academia-research (Jisan-Hakyeon) cooperation model, where local universities and industries grow together.

On November 14, forty undergraduate and graduate students from the Gwangju-Jeonnam Semiconductor Joint Research Institute visited the Amkor Technology Korea K4 Gwangju plant to observe the production line and quality and reliability evaluation processes.

Students from various departments, including Materials Science and Engineering, Chemical Engineering, and Electronic and Computer Engineering, toured the actual production site of a global packaging company and had the opportunity to engage in direct Q&A sessions with engineers.

This site visit was designed as a hands-on talent development program that goes beyond observation to include graduation research, internships, and recruitment. Chonnam National University plans to link this initiative with its Glocal University Project to further strengthen its industry-tailored education system.

In addition, Amkor Technology Korea is set to donate 31 types of semiconductor packaging process equipment to Chonnam National University.

The donated equipment includes core facilities covering the entire semiconductor packaging cycle, such as wafer-level packaging and assembly and encapsulation processes. These will be used to establish both an educational practice line and a demonstration line for joint research with companies.

Based on this, Chonnam National University plans to establish the 'Chonnam National University-Amkor Technology Korea Industry-Academia-Research Institute' (tentative name) in January next year. The institute will conduct joint research in semiconductor packaging processes, materials, and design, provide technical support to local companies, and offer practical workforce training programs.

This example of university-industry collaboration was previously highlighted as an 'outstanding case of industry-academia cooperation' during the 2025 parliamentary audit by the Ministry of Education, drawing policy-level attention.

Building on this, a 'Policy Forum for Promoting Industry-Academia Cooperation' was held the previous day, hosted by the National Assembly's Education Committee. The forum was attended by nine participants, including President Lee Geunbae and other Chonnam National University executives and experts, who discussed ways to expand institutional support for industry-academia cooperation.

After the forum, representatives from Chonnam National University and the National Assembly visited the Amkor Technology Korea K5 site in Songdo, Incheon, to inspect its global-standard advanced packaging production line and discuss ways to expand joint research and talent development cooperation in the future.

Chonnam National University plans to connect this collaboration with its Glocal University Project by developing semiconductor packaging-specialized courses, expanding field training, and promoting joint projects with local companies, thereby building a sustainable industrial innovation ecosystem that links local industry and education.

With its AI+X convergence strategy, the university aims to expand into 'Semiconductor+X' educational innovation, presenting a vision to realize a glocal industrial innovation university model that connects the region to the world.

President Lee Geunbae of Chonnam National University stated, "The foundation for conducting world-class semiconductor research and talent development in the region, together with a global company, is being rapidly established. We will complete the industry-academia-research model that provides high-quality education and job opportunities for students and technological competitiveness for local industries."

A representative from Amkor Technology Korea commented, "We hope that our cooperation with Chonnam National University will become a model for industry-academia collaboration that grows together with the local community. We will continue to support education and research programs that connect on-site technology with future core technologies."

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