Recognition for Contributions in Training and Education of Joseon Specialists
Selected as a Meritorious Person in the Regional Support Account Sector of the Balanced Development Project
Song Hacheol, President of National Mokpo University and Chairman of the Jeonnam Daebul Industry-Academia Convergence Foundation, was selected as a meritorious person in the 'Regional Support Account Category' at the '2023 Balanced Development Project Best Practice Awards Ceremony' hosted by the Local Era Committee (Chairman Woo Donggi) on the 14th.
President Song Hacheol, who serves as the Director of the Daebul Industry-Academia Convergence District Project Group at National Mokpo University and the Director of the Jeonnam Daebul Industry-Academia Convergence Foundation, was recognized for his contributions to establishing the Daebul Industry-Academia Convergence District within the Daebul National Industrial Complex and building the New Marine Industry Complex Campus of National Mokpo University, thereby developing the Daebul Industry-Academia Convergence District as a hub for government, industry, academia, and research in the southwestern region of Jeollanam-do. He received a commendation as a meritorious person at this awards ceremony.
Completed in 1996, the Daebul Industrial Complex initially faced limitations as an industrial complex focused on low-wage labor-intensive industries due to a lack of R&D technology development, corporate support, and customized workforce training systems. However, after the establishment of the Daebul Industry-Academia Convergence District, a virtuous cycle system of 'demand discovery - R&D - workforce training - employment - corporate growth' was established through spatial integration of universities and industrial complexes and the introduction of field-centered industry-academia convergence education systems.
President Song Hacheol served as the Director of the Jeonnam Daebul Industry-Academia Convergence Foundation for nine years (2013?2022), during which he educated about 20,000 people including current workers, job seekers, specialized high school students, and university prospective workforce in the main industries of southwestern Jeonnam, creating approximately 2,000 jobs. He laid the foundation for a specialized workforce training system in shipbuilding and marine industries and contributed to alleviating the manpower shortage of local companies.
In particular, he is recognized as an expert in talent education and regional industry-academia cooperation, having supported 665 cases of technology development and commercialization for 350 companies, dedicating himself to the development of the shipbuilding and marine industry in Jeonnam. Even recently, he has played a pioneering role in industry-academia cooperation and resolving local manpower shortages by annually training about 500 industrial personnel and linking them to employment.
Moreover, at a time when the establishment of cooperation systems among local governments, companies, universities, and research institutes to foster regional industry, create jobs, and nurture talent is emphasized, President Song Hacheol is also evaluated as having recognized the importance of the government-industry-academia-research cooperation system a decade earlier and pioneering its introduction and establishment in the Jeonnam region.
President Song Hacheol stated, “The role of universities is more important than ever to reduce the deepening disparities between regions,” adding, “National Mokpo University will diagnose the realities of the Jeollanam-do region, prepare various policy measures for balanced development, and work with the local industry to promote specialized workforce training and technology development, striving for the balanced development of Jeollanam-do.”
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