"Training Sustainable City Designers"... Pusan National University Selected for Ministry of Land’s 'Green Remodeling Talent Development Platform'

Only Four Universities Selected Nationwide
4 Billion Won in Funding Over Two Years
Fostering Interdisciplinary, Practice-Oriented Professionals

Pusan National University, selected by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, is set to offer solutions for the climate crisis era. The university will establish a systematic platform to foster specialists in energy conservation and eco-friendly remodeling.

Pusan National University (President Choi Jaewon) announced on December 11 that it has been selected for the "2025 Green Remodeling Talent Development Platform" project, promoted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Korea Infrastructure Safety and Technology Corporation.

Only four universities nationwide were selected in this round of applications.

Through this project, Pusan National University is expected to become a key regional hub for cultivating future professionals in the fields of green remodeling and carbon-neutral architecture. The project will operate for two years, from November 2025 to December 2027, with a total of 400 million won in educational funding. The project leader is Nam Yujin, Professor in the Department of Architectural Engineering.

The project focuses on developing practice-oriented specialists who can be deployed directly to the field, by establishing a convergent educational system that integrates all stages of architectural design, construction, structure, energy, and performance evaluation.

In the Busan and Gyeongnam regions, the proportion of homes over 20 years old is 78%, and those over 30 years old is 38%, both exceeding the national average. As a result, demand for green remodeling is rapidly increasing. While the remodeling market in the Yeongnam region accounts for about 30% of the national total, the supply of specialists and educational infrastructure remains insufficient.

Pusan National University has been strengthening its education and research system focused on solving regional issues, based on its "PNU Vision 2030+" and RISE initiatives. This project also aims to "nurture interdisciplinary future professionals who will drive comprehensive performance improvements in green remodeling."

In particular, the Department of Architectural Engineering and the Department of Architecture will collaborate to provide education that encompasses both theory and practice. More than 50 students who complete the program will be selected as scholarship recipients, each receiving up to 3 million won. In addition, practice-oriented extracurricular programs such as field trips, on-site education, competitions, and internships will be offered in parallel.

Through this project, Pusan National University plans to strengthen job placement connections with local businesses and institutions, and contribute to building a carbon-neutral architectural industry ecosystem centered on the Busan and Gyeongnam regions. The educational outcomes will be shared with other universities and the local community, spreading as a standard model for talent development.

Professor Nam Yujin stated, "The key is to nurture interdisciplinary talent to solve the problem of aging buildings in Busan and Gyeongnam. We will strengthen cooperation with industry to create a virtuous cycle among education, research, and industry, and continuously produce specialists who can be immediately deployed in the field."

Professor Nam Yujin, Pusan National University.