Pusan National University Department of Mechanical Engineering Holds 70th Anniversary Event

LG, Hanwha, Doosan, Samsung, Hyundai Industry Alumni Attend

Established in 1953, Ranked 7th in QS Mechanical Engineering This Year

The Department of Mechanical Engineering at Pusan National University celebrated its 70th anniversary with a commemorative event held at the Mechanical Engineering Building on campus on the 27th.

During the event, attendees reflected on the history and academic achievements of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Pusan National University and shared their vision for future development, pledging to strive for further progress.

Over 300 people, including alumni, students, and faculty members, attended the event. Many alumni who are currently serving as executives at leading companies such as LG Electronics, Hanwha Aerospace, Doosan Enerbility, Samsung Heavy Industries, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, HD Hyundai Mipo Dockyard, Volvo Korea, Mirae & Challenge, and Osstem Implant were present.

The event featured congratulatory speeches from the president of Pusan National University, honorary professors, and CEO alumni from major companies such as LG Electronics, Hyundai Wia, and Hyundai Marine Solution. The program also included an introduction to the department, awards for distinguished mechanical engineers and contributors, and scholarship presentations.

The Distinguished Mechanical Engineer Award was presented to Baek Inhwan, honorary professor at the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Pusan National University; the late Park Kyungtae, CEO of Muhakjigi Jeongpansa; Ahn Beomdu, CEO of LC Laser; Lee Sutae, CEO of Panasia Co., Ltd.; the late Kim Byungmin, professor at the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Pusan National University; and Han Sunghyun, honorary professor at Kyungnam University (director of the Kyungnam University Foundation and CEO of KIROBOTEC Co., Ltd.). The Contribution Award was given to Kim Youngjo, CEO of Nara M&D Co., Ltd.

The Department of Mechanical Engineering at Pusan National University was established in September 1953 with the founding of the College of Engineering and began recruiting its first freshmen in 1954. In the 1960s, it established master's and doctoral programs, laying the foundation for research and academic excellence.

In 1973, the College of Engineering at Pusan National University was designated as a specialized university for mechanical engineering, and in 2007, the Department of Mechanical Engineering was selected as a core specialized department, solidifying its status as a leading department of the university. Since the early 2000s, the department has been continuously selected for the BK21 project, enhancing its leading research capabilities in the field of mechanical engineering. In 2004, it obtained ABEEK (Accreditation Board for Engineering Education of Korea) certification, leading the way in improving the quality of university education.

Recently, the department has achieved remarkable results in research and academia, ranking 7th in the nation in the field of mechanical engineering in the 2024 QS Rankings.

The department is also producing innovative results in large-scale industry-academia research. It operates more than 20 research centers and institutes, including the University Technology Center (UTC) that jointly develops gas turbine engines with Rolls Royce in the UK, the LG CARE Center in partnership with LG Electronics aiming for Global No. 1, and the Hanwha Aerospace Hub Center leading the K-defense industry.

Despite being a single department, the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Pusan National University has produced over 20,000 graduates who play key roles in industry, academia, and research. It was selected as the top university from an industry perspective in evaluations by the Ministry of Education and the Korean Council for University Education in 2012, 2016, and 2020.

In his congratulatory speech at the commemorative event, Choi Jaewon, president of Pusan National University, said, "Since its establishment in 1953, the Department of Mechanical Engineering has grown into a specialized department nurturing key talent, leading Korea's industrialization and national development. The remarkable accumulation of 70 years is thanks to the relentless challenge, effort, and dedication of professors, students, alumni, and all members of the Department of Mechanical Engineering family. I look forward to the department's continued innovation and success in the future."

70th Anniversary Event of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Pusan National University.