Yeungnam University (President Choi Oechul) announced on January 15 that it demonstrated its global technological capabilities at CES 2026, the world's largest IT and electronics exhibition held recently in Las Vegas, USA, and accelerated the expansion of its global network by strengthening cooperation with alumni and institutions in the Americas.
At CES 2026, startups that have grown through industry-academia cooperation with Yeungnam University participated and proved their technological competitiveness in the global market. DeepFusionAI, a startup founded through industry-academia cooperation at Yeungnam University, received the top innovation award at CES 2026 for its 4D imaging radar-based autonomous driving technology, attracting global attention. In addition, Humonics, founded by Professor Choi Jeongsu of the Department of Robotics based on AI-powered healthcare and fitness robot technology, won the CES Innovation Award for the second consecutive year, drawing attention as a successful case of technology commercialization and global expansion by a university faculty startup. These achievements are the result of Yeungnam University's outstanding research capabilities and a full-cycle industry-academia cooperation system that links research and industry outcomes to the market.
Choi Oechul, President of Yeungnam University (right), is visiting the Yeungnam University booth at CES held in Las Vegas, USA.
Yeungnam University also stood out in the fields of research and education. The university's RLRC (Autonomous Vehicle Parts and Materials Blue Technology Leading Research Center) operated its own booth at CES 2026, showcasing research outcomes such as real passive material technology for autonomous vehicles, real active component technology, and driving environment recognition and control technology for autonomous driving to representatives of global companies and research institutions, exploring possibilities for international collaboration.
In particular, Yeungnam University sent a large delegation of students and faculty to CES, adding educational significance to the event. More than 40 professors and students, including members from the Software-Centered Project Group, RISE Future Automotive Innovation Parts Project Group, Multimodal Untact Sensing Leading Research Center for Life Logging, and the Joint Research Support Project Group for Small and Medium Enterprises, attended the exhibition. They directly explored the forefront of future industries such as artificial intelligence, robotics, mobility, and digital healthcare, benchmarking advanced cases. Through this, Yeungnam University examined on-site what and how to teach in a rapidly changing technological environment and sought ways to innovate educational content and methods to meet the demands of the times. Especially in an era where new technologies such as AI and robotics are rapidly spreading, the university reaffirmed the importance of nurturing warm-hearted talents with both technological understanding and character, recognizing that people remain at the core of university education.
An alumni event in the Americas, organized in conjunction with the CES visit, once again demonstrated the strength of Yeungnam University's alumni network. The event, titled "LA Alumni Night," was attended by President Choi Oechul, university officials, Lee Don, President of the Yeungnam University Alumni Association of the Americas, and more than 60 alumni, providing a meaningful opportunity for alumni exchange and solidarity. In his special lecture, President Choi shared the university's remarkable recent developments, such as improved university rankings and increased admissions competition, and presented directions for development and university management strategies, including educational and research innovation and enhanced student support, receiving enthusiastic responses. President Choi especially emphasized Yeungnam University's unique sustainable model of growth involving the university, alumni, local communities, and businesses, highlighting the university's leap toward becoming a globally renowned private institution. In addition, American alumni have contributed more than 5 billion won in scholarships, strongly supporting their juniors' studies and overseas advancement. This robust global alumni network is considered a key foundation for Yeungnam University to nurture world-class talent.
Yeungnam University also signed a business agreement with the Korean American Chamber of Commerce of Los Angeles (President Jung Sangbong), establishing a bridgehead for expanding educational and industrial cooperation between Korea and the United States. Through this agreement, the two organizations will cooperate in various areas, including educational and talent exchange, joint implementation of career and internship programs for students and youth, exchange and industrial cooperation between Korean and American companies and institutions, joint promotion and network building, and mutual support for events and major projects.
President Choi Oechul of Yeungnam University stated, "CES 2026 was an opportunity to confirm how the achievements of industry-academia cooperation, research, education, and entrepreneurship promoted by Yeungnam University are evaluated and can be expanded on the global stage. The innovative achievements of our university startups, the vivid global field experience of our students, and the organic synergy from collaboration with overseas institutions and alumni all maximize the university's competitiveness," adding, "Yeungnam University will continue to provide opportunities for faculty and students to gain global perspectives and experience through internships and participation in international exhibitions. In particular, through industry-academia cooperation and educational innovation in partnership with the world, we will do our utmost to nurture global talents required by the times and contribute to the common prosperity of human society."
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