MOU Signed with Sungshin Women's University, UNIST, and Hanseo University
Technology-Design Convergence to Foster Practical Talent
Industry-Academia Consortium Formed for Field Training
The Korea Institute of Design Promotion has partnered with major universities across the country to nurture interdisciplinary design professionals who will lead the digital transformation era.
The Korea Institute of Design Promotion signed a business agreement with Sungshin Women's University, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, and Hanseo University on the 20th to foster practical professionals who combine technology and design. (From left) Hyunseong Kim, Vice President of Industry-Academia Cooperation at Hanseo University; Sangheum Yoon, President of the Korea Institute of Design Promotion; Wonho Lee, Vice President of Academic Affairs at Sungshin Women's University. Photo by Korea Institute of Design Promotion
On June 20, the Korea Institute of Design Promotion signed a business agreement with Sungshin Women's University, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), and Hanseo University at the Korea Design Center in Seongnam. Over the next five years, a total of 5 billion won will be invested to foster 220 highly skilled master's and doctoral-level professionals.
This agreement is part of the "Digital Convergence Design Professional Training Project" led by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. Its goal is to strengthen the creative and innovative capabilities of future industries by cultivating practical professionals who combine technology and design.
The signing ceremony was attended by Sangheum Yoon, President of the Korea Institute of Design Promotion; Wonho Lee, Vice President of Sungshin Women's University; Kwanmyung Kim, Director of Research at UNIST; Hyunseong Kim, Vice President of Hanseo University; and 10 other officials, for a total of 14 participants.
Each participating university will operate educational programs focused on its specialized area of technology-design convergence. Sungshin Women's University will focus on AI service design for smart homes, health & wellness, and mobility. UNIST will be responsible for technology-based product and service design, including AI design, Internet of Things (IoT), and extended reality (XR). Hanseo University will cover AI-based user experience (UX) design in connection with aviation systems.
The Korea Institute of Design Promotion and the three universities will jointly promote curricula that include: digital convergence design master's and doctoral programs; demand-driven education based on industry-academia collaboration projects; short-term intensive practical and global competency enhancement programs; and the establishment of a joint credit system and employment linkage system.
In addition, a consortium for industry-academia cooperation will be formed with 17 participating companies, including LG Electronics, Supertone, Sinsung Delta Tech, X-Y-Z, Skyflight, and Sayair, to strengthen field connections. These companies will contribute to all stages of talent development through curriculum design, project implementation, field training, and mentoring. Furthermore, a collaborative network will be established with 10 overseas educational and research institutions and companies.
Sangheum Yoon, President of the Korea Institute of Design Promotion, stated, "This agreement marks the starting point for nurturing interdisciplinary talent that encompasses both technology and design. We will work to spread the strategic value of design across all industries and contribute to creating a digital innovation ecosystem in which regions, universities, and industries collaborate."
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