Agreement Reached on Joint Vocational and University Education Model at Education Innovation Summit
MOU Signed
Korea University of Technology and Education (KOREATECH) and Arizona State University (ASU) in the United States are establishing a global educational cooperation system to foster talent in semiconductors, advanced manufacturing, and artificial intelligence. The two universities will develop a joint education model that combines hands-on practical training with online lifelong learning, aiming to nurture international talent that meets the industrial demands of both the United States and Korea.
KOREATECH has begun full-scale efforts to cultivate global technology talent by partnering with ASU, which is recognized as one of the most innovative universities in the United States.
The two universities have agreed to establish an international educational cooperation system covering degree and non-degree programs, as well as training for current employees, with a focus on semiconductors, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, and artificial intelligence.
According to KOREATECH on January 15, ASU is a large research and educational institution founded in 1885, with 200,000 students and 5,000 faculty and staff members.
ASU has been ranked No. 1 for 11 consecutive years in the "Most Innovative Schools" category by U.S. News & World Report, making it a symbol of innovation in American higher education.
On January 13, KOREATECH President Yoo Gil-sang delivered a presentation on "Building a New Global Model for Semiconductor Talent Development" at the 2026 University Innovation Summit held at ASU. He proposed a collaborative model that combines Korea's field-oriented engineering education with ASU's innovative academic and online education systems.
The summit was attended by presidents from 14 Korean universities, former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Lee Joo-ho, and about 30 other participants.
President Yoo stated, "Arizona aims to become a global semiconductor hub, but there is a significant shortage of skilled talent ready to work in the field. By combining ASU's educational innovation capabilities with KOREATECH's hands-on engineering education and lifelong vocational development models, we can create a globally applicable model for cultivating technical talent."
KOREATECH, established by the Ministry of Employment and Labor, operates a specialized education system focused on producing practical engineers and boasts the highest employment rate among Korean universities. Many graduates have gone on to work at global companies such as Samsung Electronics, Google, Meta, and SEMES.
In particular, in the semiconductor sector, KOREATECH produces talent ready for immediate deployment in the industry through micro-degree programs and practice-based curricula covering both front-end and back-end processes.
Additionally, the university operates the "Smart Training Education Platform (STEP)," a national vocational training platform, currently offering 2,247 online and virtual training contents. The cumulative number of learners has exceeded 22 million.
President Yoo explained, "By combining ASU's world-class online education capabilities with the STEP platform, we can establish a customized digital vocational training model for employees at semiconductor and manufacturing companies in Arizona."
On January 14, 14 Korean universities and ASU officially signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU). The agreement includes: joint operation of degree, non-degree, and short-term education programs in fields such as semiconductors, advanced manufacturing, and healthcare; joint development of curricula and teaching methods; cooperation in online and digital education; and collaboration on reskilling and lifelong vocational development for current employees.
ASU stated, "We will actively promote joint educational innovation and technical talent development projects with KOREATECH and other Korean universities."
Last year, KOREATECH signed an agreement with ITCILO, under the International Labour Organization (ILO), to jointly operate a global master's program combining digital transformation and employment policy starting in 2027. This year, the university will launch the "Global Talent Department" to further promote the training of foreign and global engineers.
President Yoo commented, "The cooperation between KOREATECH and ASU is not just a simple exchange, but an effort to create a new international standard for how universities can drive advanced manufacturing and industrial transformation."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
