Chonnam National University and AutoForm Join Forces to Nurture Manufacturing DX and AI Experts

Opening of the AutoForm Glocal Industrial Technology Hub Center

Chonnam National University is taking a full-scale step to nurture manufacturing DX and AI experts by partnering with the global manufacturing simulation software company AutoForm. Photo by Chonnam National University

Chonnam National University announced on December 3 that it has joined forces with the global manufacturing simulation software company AutoForm to begin full-scale efforts to nurture manufacturing DX and AI experts.

As the mold, automotive, and component manufacturing industries face challenges such as an aging workforce, technological gaps, and pressure to transition to AI-based systems, AutoForm has donated AutoForm software worth a total of 60 billion KRW (approximately 600 billion KRW) to Chonnam National University and launched the "AutoForm Glocal Industrial Technology Hub Center," the first manufacturing innovation platform in the Honam region. This agreement is seen not only as a regional solution to address the industrial crisis, but also as a national turning point that can help restructure the competitiveness of the entire domestic manufacturing sector.

On this day, Chonnam National University and AutoForm Engineering Korea signed a business agreement and officially opened the "AutoForm Glocal Industrial Technology Hub Center," which will serve as a base for manufacturing DX and AI-based education, research, and corporate support.

AutoForm is a global software company headquartered in Switzerland that leads the world market in all areas of manufacturing, including mold design, forming analysis, process optimization, and digital twin technology. Its solutions are widely used as a standard industrial platform by major global manufacturers in the automotive, electronics, and steel industries.

Through this donation, Chonnam National University has secured 20 copies of all AutoForm modules (worth a total of 60 billion KRW, or approximately 600 billion KRW), making it the largest software package ever provided to a domestic university.

By utilizing this software, Chonnam National University can now provide practical, industry-level design and analysis training environments at both undergraduate and graduate levels. This establishes a system for nurturing manufacturing DX talent who can be deployed directly to the field after graduation.

Chonnam National University plans to use the center as a hub to launch full-scale initiatives to directly address the structural weaknesses of the regional manufacturing industry, including: nurturing manufacturing DX talent; providing customized R&D support for local companies; offering specialized training for incumbent and female engineers; implementing AI-based process innovation projects; and conducting digital twin demonstrations for small and medium-sized enterprises. In addition, by building a national network of four AutoForm hub universities together with Sungkyunkwan University, Changwon National University, and Kyungil University, Chonnam National University aims to become a key pillar in the national effort to nurture manufacturing DX talent, extending beyond the Honam region.

Cho Youngbin, CEO of AutoForm Engineering Korea, said, "While computational forming analysis and AI technology are becoming the standard in global manufacturing, Korea is struggling due to a shortage of skilled workers and the slow pace of technological transition. Chonnam National University was chosen as the first hub center in the Honam region because it possesses both the educational and research capabilities and regional connectivity needed to solve these problems."

Lee Geunbae, President of Chonnam National University, stated, "The regional automotive and mold manufacturing industries are already facing a dual crisis of labor shortages and technological transition. This agreement demonstrates Chonnam National University's clear commitment to directly addressing the crisis facing local industries. Together with AutoForm, Gwangju City, and the industrial sector, we plan to nurture manufacturing DX and AI talent and fundamentally transform the manufacturing landscape of the Honam region."

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