Hallym University Hosts "2025 Higher Education Edutech Soft Lab Performance Forum"

Hallym University (President Choi Yanghee) successfully hosted the "2025 Higher Education Edutech Soft Lab Performance Forum" over three days from December 17 to 19 at the Jeju Sun Hotel.

Scenes from the 2025 Higher Education Edutech Soft Lab Achievement Forum. Provided by Hallym University

This performance forum, organized by the Hallym University Edutech Soft Lab Project Group, brought together a total of 163 participants from 40 universities nationwide, 12 related institutions, and 11 companies involved in demonstration projects. Attendees shared the outcomes of Edutech demonstrations in higher education and discussed strategies for further expansion and advancement in the future.

The forum featured a variety of sessions, beginning with an opening address by Ko Youngwoong, Director of the Hallym University Edutech Soft Lab Project Group, followed by a welcoming speech by Choi Yanghee, President of Hallym University, congratulatory remarks by Jeong Jeyoung, President of the Korea Education and Research Information Service, presentations and discussions on the 2025 AI Courseware (Edutech) demonstration results (Tracks 1, 2, and 3), presentations and discussions on the 2025 Higher Education Edutech Soft Lab research project outcomes, an announcement of the 2026 Higher Education Edutech Soft Lab establishment and operation plans by Kan Jinsook, Deputy Director of the Hallym University Edutech Soft Lab Project Group, and an in-depth performance discussion session for companies participating in the 2025 demonstration.

In his welcoming speech, President Choi Yanghee stated, "This forum was a meaningful occasion to share the demonstration results of the second year of the Higher Education Edutech Soft Lab project and to explore directions for further expansion and advancement. We are launching the university consortium participating in this project under a new name, KELI (K-University AI Edutech & Learning Initiative), to jointly build and share the K-University model and provide students with personalized learning experiences." He added, "Through these efforts, we aim to lead innovation in university education and systematically establish and develop a sustainable higher education ecosystem based on AI."

Ko Youngwoong, Director of the Edutech Soft Lab Project Group and planner of this forum, explained, "From the first year in 2024 to the second year in 2025, AI courseware was applied and demonstrated in the curricula of 24 participating universities nationwide. As a result, a total of 56 courses, 69 instructors, and 2,285 students participated, showing significant improvements in academic achievement and AI literacy."

He further stated, "In the third year, 2026, we aim to expand the number of participating universities to a total of 50 and will focus on developing AI courseware that can be jointly utilized by multiple universities. Through this, we will promote the standardization of the higher education Edutech innovation model and establish a foundation for its adoption not only in domestic universities but also at the international level."

Meanwhile, the "Higher Education Edutech Soft Lab Establishment and Operation Project," supervised by the Ministry of Education and supported by the Korea Education and Research Information Service (KERIS), is a government-supported initiative designed to develop and utilize Edutech suitable for public education by fostering collaboration between higher education institutions and Edutech companies.