Hanyang University Named Top University at THE Asia Awards 2025

Recognized for Outstanding Contributions to Regional Development

Hanyang University announced on April 30 that it has been selected as the top university in the "Outstanding Contribution to Regional Development" category at the "THE Asia Awards 2025," organized by THE (Times Higher Education), a global university ranking agency based in the United Kingdom.

(From left) Phil Batty THE CKO, Lee Gijeong Hanyang University President, Joseph Lee Macau University of Science and Technology President, Meimei Lim APAC Chair

The THE Asia Awards are regarded as the most prestigious honors in the field of higher education in Asia. Winners are selected through a comprehensive evaluation of key areas, including leadership and strategy, industry-academia collaboration, educational innovation, internationalization, and contributions to the local community.

Hanyang University received this honor after fierce competition with 80 universities from 16 Asian countries across a total of 10 categories at the "THE Asia Summit 2025" event, which was held at Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST) from April 22 to 24.

Hanyang University was recognized for its tangible achievements in regional industry transformation and the cultivation of advanced talent through the "Robot City Ansan" project, a joint initiative between Gyeonggi Province's Ansan City and the ERICA campus.

The Hanyang University ERICA campus is implementing the "Robot City Ansan" project to transform the existing manufacturing-based industrial structure, centered around the Banwol and Sihwa National Industrial Complexes, into a cutting-edge new industry focused on artificial intelligence (AI) and intelligent robotics. In collaboration with local industries, research institutes, and municipal governments, the university has achieved a variety of outcomes, including the creation of a robotics industry ecosystem, the establishment of the Robot AI Integrated Cluster (RAITIC), the graduation of a total of 4,772 trainees through the SHared-AI-Robotics program, and the creation of a Robotics Vocational Education Center.

Additionally, through the "Robotics Vocational Education Center" project, which will receive a total budget of 25.9 billion KRW from this year through 2028, the university plans to establish the nation’s top-level practical robotics education infrastructure in the Ansan region and cultivate a total of 5,720 skilled professionals.

Lee Gijeong, President of Hanyang University, stated, "This award is the result of a win-win innovation model jointly created by local governments, industry, and academia, which has now been internationally recognized. Going forward, we will continue to fulfill our role as a responsible higher education institution that contributes to solving problems not only at the regional level but also at the national and global levels."