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Tag: South Korea

SKKU 2026 Rural Outreach Program

Posted on by SKKU

SKKU conducted its annual Rural Outreach Program from June 23 to 28 in eleven villages across Moseo-myeon, Modong-myeon, and Hwadong-myeon in Sangju, North Gyeongsang Province, with the participation of approximately 160 students.

As one of SKKU’s flagship social contribution initiatives, the Rural Outreach Program has been held annually to provide students with meaningful educational experiences that go beyond volunteer activities. The program strengthens social solidarity between urban and rural communities while fostering a sense of social responsibility through collaboration and shared engagement.

This year’s Rural Outreach Program was designed to cultivate students’ character and promote the spirit of urban-rural coexistence by supporting farming communities facing labor shortages. Participating students worked closely with local residents and engaged in a variety of activities, including weeding, organizing grape vines, and maintaining farmland. More than 30 student teams applied to participate, demonstrating strong interest and enthusiasm for rural communities among SKKU students.

On June 27, President Ji-Beom Yoo and Dean of Student Affairs Junsang Lee visited a village hall in Modong-myeon to encourage students participating in the program. SKKU plans to continue expanding its social contribution initiatives based on mutual growth and cooperation with rural communities, further contributing to sustainable regional development and community well-being.

Global Market Trends Through the Lens of Silicon Valley: KU RISE Project Group Invites Global Business Expert Cheryl Edison

Posted on by QS Editorial

The RISE Project Group (Director Yoon Seong-taek) at KU (President Kim Dong-One) held a special invited lecture by Cheryl Edison, a global business strategist based in Silicon Valley, USA, at Hana Square on May 28, 2026.

Cheryl Edison has worked in global commercialization, including advising the U.S. Department of State on startup ecosystems and carrying out cooperative projects with the UN, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Drawing on collaborative experiences with UC Berkeley and the U.S. Institute for the Future (IFTF), she currently applies her expertise in building startup ecosystems and developing strategies for entering overseas markets.

The lecture covered the U.S. startup ecosystem, North American market-entry strategies, global business development, and collaborations with investors and partners, presenting real cases of global startups and commercialization that drew an enthusiastic response from attendees. In particular, she shared her own experiences related to the global market trends she observed in Silicon Valley, the growth process of startup companies, and approaches to communicating with overseas investors and partners.

The lecture was held for the student- and faculty-led startups at KU, on-campus resident companies, and Campus Town startups, with about 100 people attending. Students and startup representatives who attended commented that it was a meaningful opportunity to learn directly from Silicon Valley experiences and cases of global commercialization and that it helped broaden their understanding of the process of global expansion.

The director of the KU RISE Project Group, Yoon Seong-taek, said, “This lecture was an occasion for students, researchers, and startups to gain a more practical understanding of the global market and the Silicon Valley scene. We plan to continue expanding global industry-academia cooperation and technology commercialization programs.”

The KU RISE Project Group is pursuing global industry-academia cooperation as a core strategy, in line with the Seoul RISE project’s goal of strengthening the global competitiveness of Seoul. Focusing on Seoul’s strategic industries such as AI and bio, it is expanding cooperative networks with overseas universities, research institutions, and companies and is making efforts to build a foundation for global technology commercialization and the cultivation of future human resources.

Inha Univ. Develops AI-Based “ARE” System

Posted on by INHA University

▲Conceptual diagram of the AI-based autonomous Raman analysis system, “Artificial Raman Expert (ARE)”

A research team led by Professor Shin Dong-ha from Inha University’s Department of Chemistry has developed an AI-based analysis system called Artificial Raman Expert (ARE), enabling artificial intelligence to perform Raman spectroscopic analysis.

Raman spectroscopy is a representative technique used to analyze the chemical structure of materials, but it has traditionally depended heavily on expert experience for setting measurement conditions and interpreting data.

The ARE system developed by the research team allows artificial intelligence to carry out this expert analysis process. When sample information and analysis objectives are entered, the system independently plans laser conditions and measurement strategies, evaluates the analytical results, and readjusts the measurement conditions through an autonomous analysis process.

A paper on the ARE system was published in the international academic journal ACS Sensors (Impact Factor 9.1, top 5% in JCR) and was also selected as an Editors’ Choice article—a distinction awarded by the journal’s editors to particularly significant research.

In addition, the research team proposed statistical analysis standards to improve the reliability of nanoplastic analysis data. The study suggested that at least approximately 510 particles must be analyzed to estimate plastic composition with an accuracy of ±5% at a 95% confidence level.

These findings were recently published in the international journal Trends in Environmental Analytical Chemistry (Impact Factor 13.4, top 1% in JCR), a leading journal in environmental analytical chemistry.

Professor Shin Dong-ha said, “This research presents a way to simultaneously solve two major challenges in Raman-based nanoplastic analysis: data reliability and analytical automation. We plan to apply AI-based analytical technologies to a wide range of environmental and materials analysis fields in the future.”

나노플라스틱 분석에서 통계적 한계를 설명한 개념도

▲Conceptual diagram illustrating the statistical limits in nanoplastic analysis

Original Article

2026 SKKU ISS Begins

Posted on by SKKU

International Affairs Division (Vice President of International Affairs Min Hyo Cho) successfully launched its flagship global program, the International Summer Semester (ISS), now in its 18th year. This year’s ISS runs for four weeks from June 26 to July 24 at the Humanities and Social Sciences Campus.

A total of 1,021 students from 126 universities in 39 countries are participating this year, representing a 26.4% increase from the previous year. Among international participants excluding SKKU students, the United States recorded the highest participation with 116 students, followed by the United Kingdom (100) and Australia (80).

The 2026 ISS offers 42 courses spanning a wide range of disciplines, including business and economics, humanities and social sciences, AI and data science, and Korean language and Korean studies. The program features lectures delivered by 17 visiting professors from overseas institutions and 10 SKKU faculty members.

Regular classes are held from Monday through Thursday, while Fridays are dedicated to cultural activities such as visits to Gyeongbokgung Palace, performances, and tours to Everland and the DMZ, encouraging active interaction among students. This year, a new program in collaboration with SKKU student clubs has been introduced to help participants from overseas universities build deeper connections with SKKU students.

In addition, the Global Colloquium, an academic event featuring faculty members from leading overseas universities including Toronto, Carnegie Mellon, Houston, and Albany, will be held on July 23 for the second consecutive year. Under the theme “Reimagining Service and Well-being in the Digital Age,” the colloquium will explore interdisciplinary research and opportunities for global collaboration.

Following the completion of ISS, selected international students will continue their academic journey through the Research Internship program, participating in full-time research activities in SKKU laboratories. Building on last year’s initiative, this year’s internship program will welcome 26 students, up from 15 participants in 2025. Through this initiative, the Office of International Affairs aims to attract outstanding international talent to SKKU’s graduate programs and further expand the foundation for international collaborative research.

Inha Hosts 2026 Work-Learning System Meeting

Posted on by INHA University

▲ At the 2026 Work-Learning Dual System Partner Company Coordinators Community Meeting, Kwak Hyo-beom, Director of the Inha Talent Development Institute, delivers opening remarks.

Inha University recently successfully held the 2026 Work-Learning Dual System Partner Company Coordinators Community Meeting.

This meeting was organized to establish an organic communication channel between the university and partner companies, gather voices from industrial sites, and actively reflect them in future program operation processes.

A total of 29 participating companies, including STATS ChipPAC Korea, MetaM Co., Ltd., and Taihan Optical Communication Co., Ltd., attended the event. Company coordinators as well as key personnel, including officials from the Human Resources Development Service of Korea (HRDK), a partner institution of the university, took part and spent time exchanging ideas.

During the meeting, a variety of programs were conducted to support the stable settlement and substantial development of the system, including ▲ an introduction to the Work-Learning Dual System project and its future operational direction ▲ guidance on OJT (On-the-Job Training) operation and mandatory administrative requirements ▲ a special lecture on teaching methods for workplace trainers ▲ presentations and sharing of outstanding corporate cases ▲ small-group meetings for company coordinators and collection of opinions.

In particular, the special lecture on teaching methods for workplace trainers, titled “Communication with the MZ Generation,” received a highly positive response from participants. The session focused on communication methods with younger generations, an issue that has recently emerged in corporate workplaces, and presented concrete solutions to prevent learning workers from experiencing organizational maladjustment and to minimize dropout rates.

In addition, time was allocated to share and spread participating companies’ training know-how and successful cases of conversion to regular employment, providing valuable information to companies interested in newly joining the program. Companies presenting outstanding cases shared their systematic OJT systems and operational methods, while discussing practical measures that can maximize employee retention and final conversion rates to regular employment with other coordinators.

A small-group meeting for company coordinators was also conducted. Representatives from each company freely discussed difficulties and suggestions encountered at training sites, gathering field opinions to enhance the effectiveness of the program.

Kwak Hyo-beom, Director of the Inha Talent Development Institute, stated, “Thanks to the coordinators who work hard in the field, this event became a meaningful opportunity for universities and companies to explore practical cooperation measures. We will continue to actively share company-specific training know-how and provide full support so that learning workers can quickly adapt to the workplace and successfully transition to regular employment.”

2026년도 일학습병행 학습기업 기업전담자 커뮤니티 간담회 참석자들이 기념사진을 촬영하고 있다.

▲ Participants of the 2026 Work-Learning Dual System Partner Company Coordinators Community Meeting pose for a commemorative photograph. 

2026년도 일학습병행 학습기업 기업전담자 커뮤니티 간담회에서 우수 사례 발표가 진행되고 있다.

▲ An outstanding case presentation is being conducted at the 2026 Work-Learning Dual System Partner Company Coordinators Community Meeting.

Original Article

SKKU Selected for NRL2.0 Program

Posted on by SKKU

SKKU announced that its “SKKU National Research Laboratory for Intelligent Energy Solutions” has been selected for the National Research Laboratory (NRL2.0) Program jointly promoted by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Ministry of Education.

The National Research Laboratory (NRL2.0) Program is Korea’s flagship research initiative designed to foster university-affiliated research institutes capable of leading world-first, world-class basic research. Selected institutes receive approximately KRW 10 billion annually, with total funding of up to KRW 95 billion over a ten-year period.

The newly selected SKKU National Research Laboratory for Intelligent Energy Solutions will be directed by Professor Nam-Gyu Park and aims to establish a next-generation intelligent energy platform that integrates energy generation, storage, and utilization technologies with artificial intelligence (AI) and digital twin technologies.

The laboratory plans to develop industry-tailored intelligent energy solutions capable of providing stable large-scale energy supplies while responding to highly fluctuating loads such as AI Data Centers (AIDCs). To achieve this, it will organically combine high-efficiency solar cells, next-generation Energy Storage Systems (ESS), industrial electrification technologies, and AI-powered digital twin technologies.

In particular, the laboratory seeks to secure core technologies for “Sovereign Energy,” enabling not only energy independence and carbon neutrality but also strengthening national energy security and future industrial competitiveness. Through these efforts, the institute is expected to present a new paradigm for future energy systems and further enhance Korea’s global competitiveness in energy technologies.

The laboratory will bring together 122 researchers from across SKKU, including 40 faculty-level co-investigators and 82 research personnel representing the fields of energy, semiconductors, AI, power systems, and engineering systems. Through interdisciplinary collaboration, the initiative is expected to contribute significantly to cultivating future energy talent, expanding global research and industry partnerships, and accelerating technology commercialization.

Professor Nam-Gyu Park, Director of the laboratory, stated, “Building on the innovation of fundamental research and the strengths of interdisciplinary collaboration, we will develop this institute into a national flagship research center that elevates Korea’s energy technologies to a world-leading level. By advancing sovereign energy technologies that integrate AI and energy, we aim to contribute simultaneously to national energy security and industrial competitiveness.”

With its selection for the National Research Laboratory Program, SKKU plans to further strengthen its position as a global research hub in energy–AI convergence, while accelerating efforts to secure future strategic technologies and foster a sustainable innovation ecosystem.

Selected for Brain Pool+ Recruitment Program

Posted on by SKKU

Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU) has been selected for the 2026 Brain Pool+ Institutional Recruitment Program, funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT and administered by the National Research Foundation of Korea. Through this initiative, SKKU will receive a total of KRW 13.5 billion in government funding over the next five years.

The Brain Pool+ Institutional Recruitment Program enables universities to identify and recruit outstanding international scientists aligned with their long-term research strategies while providing comprehensive support for their successful settlement and research activities in Korea. The funding can be used flexibly to cover researchers’ salaries and living expenses, as well as to establish advanced research equipment and infrastructure.

Notably, the project will be led directly by President Yoo Ji-Beom, reflecting a university-wide strategic commitment to strengthening global research competitiveness. Through this initiative, SKKU aims to build a sustainable platform for attracting world-renowned scholars in Korea’s key strategic technology areas, including next-generation energy, biomedicine, nanoscience, and quantum materials.

To maximize the impact of the program, five major institutes will collaborate under a unified framework: three leading research institutes—Biomedical Institute for Convergence at SKKU (BICS), Sungkyun Advanced Institute of Nano Technology (SAINT), and the Institute for Next Generation Energy Materials (NEM)—along with two global collaboration hubs, the Sungkyun Global Research Center (SGRC) and the Precision Biology Research Center (PBRC).

The program will operate under a presidential leadership structure. President Yoo will serve as Principal Investigator, while Professor Jeon Il (Vice Dean of International Affairs, Director of SGRC, and faculty member of SAINT) will oversee planning and operations. The leadership team also includes Vice President for Planning and Coordination Piljin Yoo, Director of Industry–Academic Cooperation Jachoon Koo, Vice Director of Industry–Academic Cooperation In Su Kim, BICS Director Kyung Kyu Kim, NEM Director Hoseok Park, PBRC Director Donghwan Kim, Professors Jae Cheol Lee and Jung Kyu Kim, as well as the Office of Research Planning Team of the Research & Business Foundation.

Through this initiative, SKKU plans to recruit not only globally recognized scholars but also outstanding mid-career researchers and promising early-career scientists. Moving beyond conventional short-term collaborations, the university aims to create an environment where international researchers can conduct long-term, stable research in Korea. By doing so, SKKU expects to enhance its global research competitiveness and contribute to a virtuous cycle in which top international talent is increasingly drawn to Korea.

“This selection for the Brain Pool+ Institutional Recruitment Program will serve as a critical foundation for SKKU’s advancement as a world-class research university,” said President Yoo Ji-Beom. “Together with leading scholars from around the world, we will pursue groundbreaking research that helps shape the future of humanity.”

SKKU 「Distinguished Lecture & Nexus Forum」

Posted on by SKKU

The Biomedical Institute for Convergence at SKKU (BICS) hosted the BICS Distinguished Lecture & Nexus Forum on May 21 at the Auditorium of the Samsung Library. The event was organized to share global research trends and firsthand experiences from the research community through a distinguished lecture by an internationally renowned scholar and networking opportunities for students and researchers.

Professor Peter Park of Harvard University, who also serves as a Distinguished Chair Professor at SKKU School of Medicine, delivered the keynote lecture. He introduced the latest developments in bioinformatics and interdisciplinary research, while sharing insights from his experience in the global research community. The lecture attracted strong interest from a diverse audience, including undergraduate and graduate students, researchers, and faculty members.

The subsequent BICS Nexus Forum featured an interactive discussion and networking session where students and researchers freely exchanged ideas. Participants engaged in lively conversations on research experiences, career development, and the potential of interdisciplinary research.

Through this event, BICS expanded opportunities for global academic exchange and strengthened its international research network, while providing students and researchers with a valuable opportunity to interact directly with a world-leading scholar. BICS plans to continue offering a variety of international academic programs and exchange activities to promote interdisciplinary research in the biomedical sciences and foster the next generation of research leaders.

Inha Jumps 88 Spots to 555th in QS Rankings

Posted on by INHA University

▲ Inha University Campus

Inha University has been ranked 555th globally in the QS World University Rankings 2027, announced by the global higher education evaluation organization QS (Quacquarelli Symonds).

This marks an impressive rise of 88 places from last year’s ranking of 643rd, representing the second-largest increase among universities in Korea.

The evaluation was conducted among 8,808 universities worldwide, with rankings published for 1,504 institutions. Based on the total number of universities evaluated, Inha University has secured a position within the top 7% globally, demonstrating its growing competitiveness in education, research, and international reputation.

The university recorded improvements across major indicators, including Employer Reputation, Academic Reputation, and Citations per Faculty. In particular, its Employer Reputation ranking showed the most significant improvement, rising 156 places from the previous year to 503rd in the world. This result suggests that perceptions of Inha University graduates among employers and industry leaders have become increasingly positive.

The university’s Academic Reputation ranking also improved by 57 places, reaching 642nd globally, while its Citations per Faculty indicator rose by 33 places to 628th worldwide, reflecting stronger research competitiveness and greater international research impact.

Inha University also achieved notable progress in internationalization indicators. The proportion of international students increased significantly, with the university rising 198 places to 452nd in the world. In addition, its ranking in the Sustainability category improved by 48 places, reaching 357th globally.

In recent years, the university has actively expanded global educational partnerships, operated international collaborative education programs, diversified the recruitment of international students, and strengthened its research capabilities. It has also continued to support world-class research and enhance educational infrastructure in line with global standards, thereby reinforcing its overall institutional capacity.

The latest ranking results are regarded as the outcome of the continuous efforts made by all members of the university community to improve the quality of education and research in response to global higher education trends.

President Cho Myung-woo stated, “This rise in the QS World University Rankings is the result of the collective efforts of our faculty, staff, and students in the areas of education, research, and internationalization. We will continue to invest in and support initiatives that strengthen our world-class research capabilities and educational innovation, enabling Inha University to advance as a globally recognized leading university.”

Meanwhile, the QS World University Rankings are widely regarded as one of the most authoritative global university ranking systems, evaluating institutions based on various indicators such as academic reputation, employer reputation, research impact, internationalization, and sustainability.

Original Article

SKKU Language Institute Opens New Chapter

Posted on by SKKU

The Sungkyun Language Institute (Director: Professor Minhyo Cho) has taken a meaningful first step toward expanding its global education infrastructure.

On June 15, the institute held a successful inauguration ceremony for the newly established SKKU Daehak-ro Building in Seoul’s Daehak-ro district.

The new facility was established in the heart of Daehak-ro to further strengthen the institute’s expertise in Korean language education and global talent development.

As the fourth and fifth floors of the building are dedicated to the Korean Language Institute’s state-of-the-art classrooms and educational facilities, the inauguration ceremony was held in conjunction with the unveiling of the Korean Language Institute signboard, making the occasion even more meaningful.

President Ji-Beom Yoo, Executive Director Youngsoo Joo, Corporate Director Donghwan Lee, Vice President for Planning and Coordination Piljin Yoo, Vice President for Academic Affairs Sang Hoon Bae, Vice President for International Affairs Minhyo Cho, and approximately 50 distinguished guests and university officials attended the event to celebrate this new beginning.

Participants expressed their warm congratulations and support for the institute’s new milestone and the future growth of its Korean Language Institute.

The ceremony began with the unveiling of the signboard at the front entrance of the SKKU Daehak-ro Building.

Amid the congratulations of the attendees, the newly revealed Korean Language Institute signboard symbolized SKKU’s vision for global education and its commitment to reaching the world from Daehak-ro, where tradition and modernity coexist. The unveiling was met with enthusiastic applause.

Following the ceremony, guests toured the Korean Language Institute facilities on the fourth and fifth floors of the building. The modern educational infrastructure—including advanced classrooms designed to provide international students with a comfortable and effective learning environment, faculty offices, instructors’ rooms, student lounges, and an administrative office offering one-stop support services for international students—drew admiration from attendees.

After the tour, guests gathered for refreshments and informal discussions in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. During the reception, participants shared the view that the SKKU Daehak-ro Building would serve as a key hub for K-education, attracting students from around the world, while exchanging ideas on the sustainable growth and global competitiveness of the Sungkyun Language Institute.

In his congratulatory remarks, President Ji-Beom Yoo stated, “I am delighted that SKKU has secured a dedicated space for global education on Daehak-ro, the cultural and artistic center of Seoul. Through the opening of the SKKU Daehak-ro Building, we will provide world-class Korean language education services and further strengthen SKKU’s standing as a leading global university.”

The newly opened SKKU Daehak-ro Building is expected to become a vibrant hub where talented individuals from around the world can learn the Korean language and culture, connect with one another, and help shape the future of global education.