Fostering Project, 22.10.~23.2. 1st Year Project Implementation
Shared University Operation Talent Development & Regional Specialized Industry Growth
The first-year project of the ‘Power Semiconductor Talent Development Shared University,’ promoted through cooperation between 13 regional universities and local small and medium-sized enterprises in the Busan area to nurture talent essential for the development of the semiconductor industry, has been successfully completed.
The 13 participating universities are Dongmyung University, Dongseo University, Dong-A University, Dong-Eui University, Pukyong National University, Pusan National University, Silla University, Korea Maritime and Ocean University, Gyeongnam Information University, Dong-Eui Science University, Dongju University, Busan Institute of Science and Technology, and Busan Women’s University.
Students and officials from 13 local universities participating in the Power Semiconductor Talent Development Shared University Project are taking a commemorative photo.
The ‘Power Semiconductor Talent Development Shared University’ is part of the Ministry of Education’s 3rd phase Leading University for Industry-Academia-Research Cooperation Project (LINC3.0). Since October last year, the ‘Dong-Eui University LINC3.0 Project Group’ has been leading the initiative, jointly operated by the 13 universities that signed the agreement.
Utilizing each university’s specialized fields and existing infrastructure, 11 educational courses (tracks) are jointly operated to focus on nurturing power semiconductor experts.
The most notable feature of this power semiconductor shared university is the establishment of the Power Semiconductor Talent Development Center (Director: Shin Byung-chul) within Dong-Eui University, where top experts from each university participate to offer 11 courses (tracks). Each course is led by a host university that implements participatory education programs.
As a result of the first-year project (October 2022 to February 2023), out of 324 trainees, 304 completed the education (completion rate of 94.7%), and 8 secured employment. Additionally, Wonbang Tech, a semiconductor company based in the Seoul metropolitan area, participated by awarding scholarships to outstanding graduates, demonstrating tangible achievements in a short period.
Although there have been many attempts in the past for regional universities to collaborate under the form of shared universities on common interests, there has been somewhat limited success in producing representative outcomes.
However, this power semiconductor shared university talent development program has transcended differences in university size, national versus private status, and other conditions to actively involve all 13 universities in student recruitment and program composition for fostering the power semiconductor industry, establishing itself as a model case of a shared university.
The Ministry of Education also evaluates it as an excellent example of a regional shared university, and it is expected to become a successful model of government-industry-academia cooperation, which Busan City is strategically focusing on.
In particular, the city discussed the ‘Power Semiconductor Value Chain Creation’ as a key agenda at the Emergency Economic Measures Meeting in August 2021, and in 2022, it has been promoting the ‘Establishment of the Southeast Region Automotive Semiconductor Value Chain’ as a presidential regional pledge.
Furthermore, by attracting related companies from the Seoul metropolitan area and nurturing core power semiconductor talent through this shared university via region-led government-industry-academia cooperation, the city plans to enhance the completeness of its policies.
Shin Byung-chul, Director of the Busan Power Semiconductor Talent Development Center, stated, “We will continue to actively work through the Power Semiconductor Talent Development Shared University to nurture local talent in the semiconductor field, a national foundational industry, and help them find employment in excellent local companies to contribute to revitalizing the regional economy.”
Lee Yoon-jae, Director of the Youth Industry-Academia Division of Busan City, said, “The Power Semiconductor Talent Development Shared University is a good example of government-industry-academia cooperation where regional universities and companies grow together. We will continue to create a virtuous cycle ecosystem of cooperation to help universities overcome crises and generate future growth engines for the region.”
Based on the achievements of the first year of the Power Semiconductor Shared University, Busan City plans to develop programs that can involve more students and companies in the second year and expand generous support so that power semiconductor-related companies nationwide relocate to Busan, enabling Busan to emerge as a new central city in the semiconductor industry.
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