Appointment as Visiting Professor... Responsible for Leadership Lectures until 2026
Also Active in Joint Research and as a Global Ambassador
KAIST announced on the 5th that singer G-Dragon (real name Kwon Ji-yong) has been appointed as an invited professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering.
This appointment was promoted to integrate the latest science and technology developed at KAIST with K-content and the cultural industry, and to expand the global competitiveness of Korean culture. The appointment ceremony was held at the KAIST Sports Complex during the 'Innovate Korea 2024' event on the same day.
Professor Kwon is scheduled to conduct leadership lectures for undergraduate and graduate students. He plans to share his experiences and life as a world-renowned artist to instill students with a vision and insight to view the world, as well as the will and inspiration to pioneer challenging goals.
In addition, he will communicate with KAIST members through various cultural events and share artistic experiences necessary for growing into creative and convergent talents.
Furthermore, joint research will be promoted to integrate various KAIST technologies into arts and cultural content. The 'KAIST-Galaxy Corporation Entertech Research Center (tentative name)' will be established in the Department of Mechanical Engineering to pursue ▲ digital twin technology research targeting Hallyu artists ▲ convergence research of K-culture with artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and metaverse (extended virtual world) technologies ▲ development of differentiated artist avatars using the latest technologies such as volumetric capture, motion capture, and haptics.
Professor Kwon’s appointment period is two years, from this month until June 2026. He has also been appointed as a KAIST Global Ambassador and plans to contribute to strengthening KAIST’s overseas promotion.
He debuted in 2006 as a member and leader of the idol group 'Big Bang,' which gained worldwide popularity and became an icon symbolizing Korean popular culture.
In 2016, he was selected as the first Asian male global ambassador for the fashion brand Chanel, and he is recognized for his extensive activities in the fashion field, promoting Korean music and fashion worldwide.
Professor Kwon said, "It is an honor to become an invited professor at KAIST, where numerous scientific geniuses are produced," adding, "I hope that the synergy between top science and technology experts and my expertise in entertainment will create a big 'Big Bang'."
He continued, "More people working in music are using AI, and such advanced technologies enable more diverse forms of creative work," adding, "Through the AI avatars developed jointly by Galaxy Corporation and KAIST, I want to communicate more closely with fans around the world whom I cannot meet often."
KAIST President Lee Kwang-hyung said, "KAIST and Professor Kwon share commonalities in that KAIST is a university that has always explored new things and pioneered unknown territories, and he is a leader and pioneer who has achieved global accomplishments in the cultural and arts fields," adding, "Through Professor Kwon’s activities, KAIST’s science and technology will contribute not only to the expansion and growth of K-culture on the global stage but also become a great asset to our members who aspire to be a top-tier university."
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