"Wando County and Chosun University Join Hands for K-Marine Bio Startup Ecosystem to Prevent Youth Outflow"

Launching of Support Project... Settlement Encouraged Through 'Special Educational Development Zone' Initiative
On-Site, Practice-Oriented Education with Access to Advanced Equipment and Corporate Internships

Wando County in South Jeolla Province has joined forces with the Chosun University Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation to proactively nurture young entrepreneurs who will lead the region’s marine bio industry. The goal is to enhance the employment and entrepreneurship capabilities of young people, thereby preventing the outflow of talent and encouraging them to settle stably in the region.

On March 10, Wando County announced that it had held a launching ceremony for the ‘K-Marine Bio Startup Stage-Specific Customized Support Project’ at the Wando County Marine Bio Joint Cooperation Research Institute.

Wando County and Chosun University Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation held a launching ceremony for the "K-Marine Bio Customized Support Project for Each Startup Stage." Photo by Wando County

This project is a follow-up measure after Wando County was designated as a “Special Educational Development Zone Pilot Area” by the Ministry of Education last year. Through a public call for trustee institutions, the Chosun University Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation was selected as the implementing organization, and will be fully responsible for operating customized employment and entrepreneurship programs by leveraging the university’s specialized infrastructure.

At the launching ceremony, Yeoul Jeong, CEO of Wellfish Co., Ltd., a young entrepreneur in the food tech and fisheries food sector, was invited as a guest lecturer, adding significance to the event. CEO Jeong shared practical know-how from the entrepreneurial process under the theme “Startup Success Cases Using Local Resources,” providing students with clear motivation and direction.

Starting with the launching ceremony, the Chosun University Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation will operate a stage-specific program through August. The main processes are ▲practical entrepreneurship education and idea development training (March~April), ▲hands-on training with marine bio equipment and participation in competitions (May~June), and ▲job-linked employment competency enhancement and on-site training at industrial companies (July~August), all structured in a well-organized manner.

In particular, the Chosun University Marine Healthcare Efficacy Verification Center will open its advanced research equipment to students and, in cooperation with local public institutions and leading companies, provide field-oriented job experience opportunities to nurture professionals equipped with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills.

Beomwoo Lee, Deputy Governor of Wando County, stated, “I hope this program will further strengthen students’ practical skills, and we will spare no administrative support to foster future talent. I also hope that collaboration with leading local companies will produce a successful model.”

Hanyong Lee, Head of the Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation, said, “This project is the first step in creating an ecosystem where students can grow into core talent for the local industry and put down roots in Wando. We will actively utilize the university’s excellent infrastructure and regional network to produce remarkable and tangible results.”

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