Kumoh National Institute of Technology RISE Project Group Holds '2025 KIT Manufacturing Innovation Open Forum'

Exploring Directions for Manufacturing Innovation
in Collaboration with Local SMEs and Mid-sized Companies

National Kumoh National Institute of Technology (President Kwak Hosang) held the "2025 KIT Manufacturing Innovation Open Forum" under the theme "The Present and Future of Manufacturing Companies," aiming to elevate the competitiveness of local manufacturing companies to the next level.

Jointly organized by the National Kumoh National Institute of Technology RISE Project Group (Acting Project Group Leader Kwon Ohyeong) and the Gumi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Chairman Yoon Jaeho), the open forum took place on October 28 at the main auditorium of the Gumi Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The event was attended by more than 200 representatives and employees of local small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as officials from related organizations, confirming strong interest in the innovative growth of the regional industry.

Starting with welcoming remarks from Kwak Hosang, President of Kumoh National Institute of Technology, and Yoon Jaeho, Chairman of the Gumi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the forum focused on sharing practical strategies for securing future growth drivers for local companies.

Seo Yoohyun, co-author of "Trend Korea 2026" and a researcher at the Seoul National University Consumer Trend Analysis Center, was invited as a special lecturer to present future innovation strategies for the Gumi Industrial Complex. Shin Soonwoo, Head of the Research Center at PNT Co., Ltd., introduced practical innovation strategies applicable to small and medium-sized enterprises by presenting outstanding cases of corporate innovation.

Kwon Ohyeong, Acting Head of the RISE Project Group and Head of the Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation at Kumoh National Institute of Technology, emphasized the university's role in supporting innovation for local companies. He introduced various enterprise support programs, such as resolving technical challenges, fostering talent, and joint research and development, reaffirming the university's commitment to promoting industry-academia cooperation.

Kwak Hosang, President of Kumoh National Institute of Technology, stated, "I hope this forum, which shared various cases of manufacturing innovation and cooperation strategies, has helped establish a direction for each company's future innovation." He added, "The RISE Project Group will foster regionally rooted talent through a regional industry-academia-research cooperation model and support local companies in achieving practical collaboration with the university, thereby advancing the regional industrial ecosystem."