Science Communicator Gwido Appointed as Special Professor at DGIST School of Basic Science: "Crossing Boundaries Is the Attitude Needed Today"

DGIST (President Lee Geonwoo) announced on July 31 that it has appointed 'Gwido', a well-known science communicator, as a special professor in the School of Basic Science at the Rise Autograph Collection in Mapo-gu, Seoul. 'Gwido's real name is Kim Jaehyuk (42), and he studied astronomy and space science at the graduate school of Yonsei University.

This appointment was made to further promote the public value of science and technology and to more broadly implement DGIST's philosophy of convergence education. The philosophy of 'training talents who cross boundaries,' which DGIST pursues, aligns with Gwido's own beliefs, making this appointment possible.

Orbit, who is active as a science communicator

Gwido stated, "DGIST is flexible because there are no boundaries between undergraduate departments. Crossing boundaries is exactly the attitude needed in this era. DGIST's stage is not just Korea, but the entire Earth." He added, "I will do my best to help DGIST students grow into convergence-type talents who can solve problems without being confined to their majors, creative talents who seek connections between science, technology, society, culture, and the arts, and global talents who take the entire planet as their stage, not just Korea, through technology."

DGIST President Lee Geonwoo said, "DGIST has 'training convergence-type talents' as its core educational philosophy, and the appointment of Special Professor Gwido is not simply the recruitment of an external figure, but an important opportunity for our students to experience 'convergent thinking' and 'the ability to communicate with the world.' He added, "DGIST will continue to take the lead in fostering talents who can create new value through convergence, creativity, and innovation, and who can play active roles on the global stage."

The background of Gwido's appointment as a special professor at DGIST is closely related to DGIST's convergence education system.

DGIST's School of Basic Science operates a 'track-based self-design system' rather than a traditional department-centered academic structure. All students can complete two or more majors (tracks), and the key feature is that they can design their own curriculum without boundaries between majors.

Based on a broad foundational education encompassing basic science, engineering, and the humanities and social sciences, students can choose majors (tracks) and double majors or design their own curriculum through a self-directed track according to their career paths. They also receive active support for practical education such as research, internships, and global exchanges. In this way, DGIST is nurturing talents with flexible thinking and problem-solving abilities that cross boundaries through its flexible academic system.

Meanwhile, Special Professor Gwido is expected to support students not so much through direct lectures, but by enhancing their science communication skills and providing career counseling through mentoring and other activities. With this appointment, DGIST plans to more actively foster 'DGIST-type talents' who possess convergent thinking and practical capabilities.