Regional AI Talent Development Council MOU Also Signed
On November 12th at 11 a.m., the 'Dong-Eui University Artificial Intelligence Grand ICT Research Center' opening ceremony was held at Dong-Eui University.
[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-woo] A research center specializing in the field of artificial intelligence has emerged.
Dong-Eui University (President Han Su-hwan) Artificial Intelligence Grand ICT Research Center (Director Jeong Seok-chan) held the ‘Dong-Eui University Artificial Intelligence Grand ICT Research Center Opening Ceremony’ and the ‘Regional AI Talent Development Council MOU Signing Ceremony’ at 11 a.m. on November 12th at the PRIME Convention Multipurpose Hall on the 1st floor of the Industry-Academia Cooperation Building at Dong-Eui University.
The event was attended by Lee Heon-seung, member of the National Assembly for Busanjin-gu Eul, Shin Chang-ho, Director of Future Industry Bureau of Busan City, Kim Jong-seok, Head of Technology Base Division at the Institute for Information & Communications Technology Planning & Evaluation, Lee In-sook, Director of Busan IT Industry Promotion Agency, Choi Jong-yeol, Director of Busan Technopark, Park Ki-sik, Director of Busan Economic Promotion Agency, Han Su-hwan, President of Dong-Eui University, Lee Jong-geuk, Vice President for External Affairs, and Lee Im-geon, Director of Industry-Academia Cooperation, among other representatives from participating organizations.
The opening ceremony proceeded with a welcome speech by Dong-Eui University President Han Su-hwan, congratulatory remarks by National Assembly member Lee Heon-seung and Busan City’s Shin Chang-ho, an encouragement speech by Kim Jong-seok from the Institute for Information & Communications Technology Planning & Evaluation, an introduction of the Artificial Intelligence Grand ICT Research Center by Director Jeong Seok-chan, the signing of the Regional AI Talent Development Council MOU, and a plaque unveiling.
Video congratulatory messages were sent by Hwang Bo-seung-hee, member of the National Assembly for Jung-gu and Yeongdo-gu in Busan, and Jang Seok-young, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Science and ICT.
President Han Su-hwan of Dong-Eui University said, “This year, we are carrying out educational innovation under the slogan ‘Big Data and AI-Centered University Dong-Eui.’ As part of this educational innovation, we have reorganized the academic structure to expand big data and artificial intelligence education required in the industrial field.”
President Han added, “Through the Regional AI Talent Development Council consisting of industry, academia, research, and government, we aim to create a groundbreaking turning point that not only contributes to the local community but also signals a green light for regional economic development.”
Assemblyman Lee Heon-seung stated, “I believe that the various policies created by the Regional AI Talent Development Council, which includes Busan City, Dong-Eui University, and other local institutions, will play an important role in leading artificial intelligence.”
In a video congratulatory message, Vice Minister Jang Seok-young of the Ministry of Science and ICT said, “In the era of the 4th Industrial Revolution, the most important ability is for talents to identify and solve problems on their own. I hope you help students to try freely and encourage failure so that it can be a stepping stone for growth. Investment in people is an investment in the future of the region and the nation.”
Assemblywoman Hwang Bo-seung-hee said, “Artificial intelligence is an industry that creates enormous added value and is also a key factor causing social changes such as job shifts. I hope the Artificial Intelligence Grand ICT Research Center will lead changes in the region’s core industries and nurture creative talents who can pioneer new industries.”
Following the opening ceremony, the ‘Regional AI Talent Development Council’ was also launched.
The MOU for the Regional AI Talent Development Council was signed by Busan City, Dong-Eui University Artificial Intelligence Grand ICT Research Center (Director Jeong Seok-chan), Busan IT Industry Promotion Agency (Director Lee In-sook), Busan Research Institute (Director Song Gyo-uk), Busan Technopark (Director Choi Jong-yeol), Busan Economic Promotion Agency (Director Park Ki-sik), Busan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Chairman Heo Yong-do), Busan Industry and Science Innovation Institute (Director Kim Byung-jin), Korea Research Institute of Ships and Ocean Engineering (Director Bae Jeong-cheol), Korea Industrial Complex Corporation Busan Regional Headquarters (Head Lee Jang-hoon), Busan Information Technology Association (Chairman Lee Sang-bong), Busan Makers Association (Chairman Jeong Chung-kyo), Busan Venture Business Association (Chairman Kim Byung-guk), and Busan Robot Industry Association (Chairman Kang Sam-tae).
Through this agreement, each institution agreed to cooperate on △ forming and operating the Regional AI Talent Development Council △ establishing a regional cooperation system △ operating detailed programs to revitalize regional industries △ discovering AI technologies leading regional industries △ producing intelligent innovation talents and contributing to regional dissemination.
Dong-Eui University Artificial Intelligence Grand ICT Research Center was selected in the ‘Grand ICT Research Center Public Competition Project’ announced by the Ministry of Science and ICT this year, and since July 1, it has been laying the foundation for the ‘AI Future City Busan’ through AI-based intelligent innovation convergence technology development based on the demand of Busan’s regional industries and fostering specialized personnel.
By 2027, a total budget of approximately 18.75 billion KRW will be invested, including 15 billion KRW from national funds, 1.5 billion KRW from Busan City, and 2.25 billion KRW from Dong-Eui University.
Professor Jeong Seok-chan, head of the Dong-Eui University Artificial Intelligence Grand ICT Research Center and major in e-Business, said, “It has been over 40 years since the introduction of the internet, which has become a sea of information connecting the world as one and a tool for business, already part of our daily lives. The future to come will be the era of artificial intelligence.”
Professor Jeong added, “Artificial intelligence is a technology that enables computers to imitate human intelligent behavior, learn, think, and make judgments on their own. Representative examples include AlphaGo and bank consultation chatbots, smart assistants and helpers that have already been introduced into our daily lives.”
The two main pillars of the project are fostering AI-related specialized personnel and R&D in collaboration with local companies. Dong-Eui University has established an AI major in the IT Convergence Department with a capacity of 20 students in graduate school, completed recruitment of new students last July, and is currently conducting classes.
They are nurturing master’s degree holders in engineering for employees of local companies. Small and medium-sized enterprise employees receive 90% tuition support, and mid-sized enterprise employees receive 80% support each semester.
Dong-Eui University has established a master’s program in artificial intelligence and plans to open a doctoral program next year, recruiting 23 master’s and 5 doctoral students.
Considering accessibility for trainees, a Centum Campus has been established and operated at the Busan IT Industry Promotion Agency in the Centum area, where ICT companies are concentrated.
The Busan IT Industry Promotion Agency participates as a co-operating organization and plays a key role in fostering convergence talents in the AI field and spreading achievements to expand the AI industry base.
The Artificial Intelligence Grand ICT Research Center operates nine detailed projects in four areas: AI Smart Marine, Port, and Logistics; AI Manufacturing and Robotics; AI Medical and Healthcare; and AI Smart City.
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