Ministry of Education Support Project Trains 220 Practical Professionals Over 4 Years
Ulsan City Invests 1 Billion KRW Over 3 Years to Support Semiconductor Talent Development
UNIST (President Jongrae Park) is accelerating the cultivation of specialized talent to lead the future of the semiconductor industry.
Selected for the Ministry of Education’s ‘2024 Semiconductor Specialized University Support Project,’ it has secured 15 billion KRW in funding over four years (14 billion KRW from the national government, 1 billion KRW from local government). With this project selection, UNIST has expanded its program to include undergraduate courses, establishing a full-cycle workforce development system in the semiconductor field.
The ‘Semiconductor Specialized University Support Project,’ launched in 2023, supports the establishment of semiconductor workforce training systems and practical facilities to nurture talent aligned with industry demand. The project is operated by dividing into metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas, as well as standalone and co-growth types. UNIST was finally selected in the non-metropolitan standalone re-competition.
UNIST opened a Graduate School of Semiconductor Materials and Components in 2021 and was selected for the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy’s ‘Semiconductor Specialized Graduate School Support Project’ in 2023, producing 65 master’s and doctoral talents annually.
In the fields of materials, devices, processes, and packaging, UNIST plans to cultivate 220 practical experts over four years. Five departments, including the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, will participate to establish a ‘Semiconductor Specialized Convergence Major,’ operating an industry-academia linked curriculum featuring intensive lectures, practice-oriented projects, and industry internships.
National funding will be used for personnel expenses, research facilities and equipment construction, and curriculum development. Ulsan City will also support semiconductor talent cultivation by providing a total of 1 billion KRW over three years starting in 2025.
UNIST aims to train professionals who can be immediately deployed in R&D fields. Students will proactively research core semiconductor technologies to deepen their understanding and receive systematic education to grow into practical talents through close cooperation with companies.
Kim Suhyun, professor of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at UNIST and project leader, said, “We will systematically nurture practical talents who will lead the future of the semiconductor industry. We will focus more on innovative education and research to stay ahead in global competition.”
A Ulsan City official stated, “The rapid growth of the semiconductor industry is increasing the demand for specialized personnel. We will do our best to closely cooperate with UNIST to cultivate high-quality practical talents needed by companies.”
Semiconductors are essential core technologies from everyday life to advanced industries, and the demand for specialized personnel is rapidly increasing. UNIST’s recent selection is expected to play a significant role in enhancing the semiconductor competitiveness of the region and the nation.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
