Mayor KIM Jang-ho of Gumi and Mayor CHO Hyun-il of Gyeongsan actively participate

Gumi-based Kumoh National Institute of Technology, Gyeongsan-based YU support cultivation of excellent talent based on demand

Cooperation plans established for 'Glocal University' and 'Advanced Strategic Industry Talent Training'

[July 16, 2024]

To drive the development of Korea beyond low birth rates and regional community decline, Gyeongsangbuk-do, and its industrial cities Gumi and Gyeongsan, along with representative institutions Yeungnam University (President CHOI Oe-chool) and Kumoh National Institute of Technology (President KWAK Ho-sang), have joined forces with local community institutions to declare a new leap forward for Korea.

 At the agreement ceremony held on July 16 at the Hotel Geumosun Convention Center, participants included YU President CHOI Oe-chool, Kumoh National Institute of Technology President KWAK Ho-sang, Gyeongsangbuk-do Governor Lee Cheol-woo, Gumi Mayor KIM Jang-ho, Gyeongsan Mayor CHO Hyun-il, and representatives from DGIST, Keimyung University, Gumi University, Yeungnam College of Science and Technology, Korea Polytechnic University Gumi Campus, local economic organizations, research institutions, and companies. They convened the 'Industry-Academic-Research Cooperation Forum and Agreement Ceremony for Leap towards a Global Standard University for Advanced Strategic Industry Talent Training'.

Part 1 featured special lectures, a Glocal University briefing, and discussions among companies and research institutions. Part 2 involved signing agreements among various institutions to successfully promote the Glocal University 30 project.

 The 29 institutions that signed the agreement pledged to establish partnerships and strengthen cooperation for: 

 - Overall exchange and cooperation for promoting the Glocal University 

 - Customized talent training for regional strategic industries such as semiconductors and AI/SW 

 - Operating lifelong education programs responding to changes in regional industry demand 

 - Enhancing local industry development and talent exchange through close alliances among region, industry, academia, and research institutions 

 - Providing phased, customized startup support to create an entrepreneurial ecosystem 

 - Establishing a comprehensive management system for international students to promote global co-prosperity with the region.

 Before the agreement ceremony, a special lecture by JUNG Je-young, President of the Korea Education and Research Information Service, was held on 'Digital Transformation and Future Education Strategies of Universities'. JOO Baek-seok, Director of Planning and Cooperation at Kumoh National Institute of Technology, presented on the 'Glocal University Project' jointly promoted by Kumoh National Institute of Technology and YU, outlining implementation plans to lead regional advanced strategic industry development and synergistic growth of the university, region, and industry. The ensuing discussion among companies and research institutions explored ways to activate close exchanges among related organizations.

Gyeongsangbuk-do Governor LEE Cheol-woo stated, "This agreement will further solidify our mutually supportive and cooperative relationship to create a Gyeongbuk-style Glocal University educational innovation ecosystem," and pledged administrative and financial support to ensure all regionally designated Glocal Universities achieve final selection.

 Gumi Mayor KIM Jang-ho remarked, "The designation of the YU-Kumoh National Institute of Technology joint Glocal University is not just about university development but also creating a new growth engine for the development of Gyeongbuk. Gumi City will fully commit to providing comprehensive administrative and financial support to secure the designation."

Gyeongsan Mayor CHO Hyun-il expressed, "I am confident that the designation of YU and Kumoh National Institute of Technology as a Glocal University will merge the strengths of both institutions to enhance synergy, establishing them as central universities connecting the region and the world, leading to new levels of growth and development for Gumi and Gyeongsan."

 President KWAK Ho-sang of Kumoh National Institute of Technology stated, "Kumoh National Institute of Technology and YU have created a platform for nurturing talent in advanced strategic industries and established an implementation plan to spread the pioneering spirit that powered Korea's industrialization globally. We thank the local universities, governments, companies, and research institutes for their shared vision and support, and we hope our bold journey to create a new international standard in higher education through the Glocal University designation will accelerate."

President CHOI Oe-chool of YU said, "We are pleased to establish agreements with industry-academia-research institutions to jointly lead regional co-prosperity and growth, the core goal of the Glocal University 30 project by YU and Kumoh National Institute of Technology. We hope this will be a crucial moment where universities and local communities come together to cultivate talents who will elevate Korea to an advanced nation of distinction and create a new future for the region through the development of regional advanced industries. We will strive to lead regional innovation through close cooperation with region-industry-academia-research institutions and create a successful model for the Glocal University project beyond its selection."

 Previously, YU and Kumoh National Institute of Technology were preliminarily designated for the Glocal University 30 project as a joint model focusing on semiconductor and software talent training, regional advanced industry development, startup support, and the creation of a global youth village. Building on this agreement, universities, local governments, regional companies, and research institutions will work together to challenge the final designation of the Glocal University 30 project by the upcoming deadline on the 26th, establishing an innovative planning model that leads regional innovation.