Admission in September for Contract Department... Dong-A University Recruiting Companies and New Students for Smart Production Convergence Systems Engineering

Contract Departments for SMEs, Incumbent Employees at Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises

Ministry of SMEs and Startups' Work-First, Study-Later Talent Development

Dong-A University (President Lee Haewoo) announced on the 30th that it is recruiting participating companies and new students for the Department of Smart Production Convergence System Engineering (Nationally Funded Program) under the Contract Department for Small and Medium Enterprises for the 2024 academic year (fall regular admission).

The Department of Smart Production Convergence System Engineering (undergraduate program) begins its new academic year every September. This year's regular admission quota is 20 students, and applications will be accepted from June 3 to June 17. Those wishing to apply can download the application form from the Dong-A University admissions website and submit their application.

Since 2011, Dong-A University has been operating a Contract Department for Small and Medium Enterprises (Department of Industrial Engineering). In 2017, it established a master's program in Smart Production Convergence System Engineering, followed by the undergraduate program in 2022 and the doctoral program last year, thus completing a talent development platform for small and medium enterprises (in the smart manufacturing field) that connects undergraduate, master's, and doctoral programs.

In the Department of Smart Production Convergence System Engineering, students can learn both theory and practical skills related to smart manufacturing and smart factory construction and operation, which are among the promising fields of the future. Based on industrial engineering (data analysis and production management), students will take a variety of courses that integrate computer and AI engineering (ICT), mechanical engineering, and advanced materials engineering.

The undergraduate program aims to foster professionals required for smart factory construction and operation, while the graduate (master's and doctoral) programs focus on strengthening R&D capabilities of small and medium enterprises. The graduate programs are divided into three specializations: Production Systems, Smart Factory, and Mechanical/Shipbuilding Convergence, to train experts in each field.

The Contract Department for Small and Medium Enterprises, established under the Ministry of SMEs and Startups' "University for Nurturing SME Talent" project, is a talent development program based on pre-employment and post-education. It establishes degree programs (associate, master's, and doctoral) at universities based on industry demand, supporting the enhancement of job competencies and degree acquisition for SME employees.

As of May 2024, there are 88 departments operating nationwide in 50 universities, offering four degree programs (associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral) in three types: "retraining," "employment-conditional," and "Young Meister contract departments."

In addition to the Contract Departments for SMEs such as the Department of Smart Production Convergence System Engineering and the Department of Industrial Engineering, Dong-A University also operates a four-year "Smart Manufacturing Engineering" department.

This is a pre-employment and post-learning model under the Vocational Education Innovation District Project supported by Busan City and the Busan Metropolitan Office of Education, targeting new employees who have graduated from specialized high schools or Meister high schools and are employed at local companies.

Based on the achievements of its contract department programs, Dong-A University is preparing to be selected as a "University for Nurturing SME Talent" by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups this year and aims to solidify its role as a core university for retraining SME employees through its contract department programs.

Dong-A University is recruiting participating companies and new students for the Department of Smart Production Convergence Systems Engineering.