Korea University of Technology and Education to Establish Chungnam-Type Contract Department in 2026

Full Tuition Support... 12 Million KRW Paid After 2 Years of Employment at Small and Medium-sized Enterprises

Korea University of Technology and Education announced on the 24th that starting in 2026, it will establish the 'Chungnam-type Contract Department' to nurture local talent and train workforce tailored to companies.

The new department will be the Department of Semiconductor and Display Engineering, offering bachelor's (40 students) and master's (20 students) programs.

This is a contract department model in Chungcheongnam-do that guarantees local employment, aiming to promote early employment for young people, local settlement, and to alleviate workforce shortages for companies.

Students are guaranteed employment upon admission and receive benefits such as shortened degree periods, tuition support, and practical training. Companies benefit from securing talent early, participating in customized education programs, and reducing training costs.

In the bachelor's program, students receive basic education in the first year, then combine work and study with practical training in the second and third years, followed by employment at the respective company. In the master's program, students complete theoretical education in the first and second semesters, then combine internships and coursework from the third semester, and are employed by the contracted company after graduation.

Tuition is supported by the university through the RISE (Regional Innovation-centered University Support System) project fund. For those employed at small and medium-sized enterprises, the company, student, and university each contribute 4 million KRW after graduation, and the student receives a total of 12 million KRW after two years.

Lee Kyuman, head of the Industry-Academia Cooperation Foundation, stated, "Through the Chungnam-type contract department, local companies, universities, and youth will be able to coexist," and added, "We will systematically support local talent to settle stably."