The South Korean government has announced the selection of five universities to receive financial backing under its initiative for 'specialized universities in advanced industries.' This initiative aims to nurture talent in key sectors, with Sungkyunkwan University and Ajou University selected for the bio industry, while National Changwon University, Kwangwoon University, and Inha University focus on the robot industry. Each of these universities will receive a total of 11.6 billion won (approximately USD 10 million) over the next four years to enhance their educational offerings in these fields.

The Ministry of Education and the Korea Industrial Technology Promotion Agency revealed the results on the 13th, highlighting the competitive nature of the selection process with 50 universities vying for funding. The initiative originally began in 2023 targeting eight semiconductor projects, later expanding to include secondary batteries and bio fields, and adding robotics this year. This expansion underlines the government's commitment to bolster its technological capabilities and workforce in these emerging sectors, which are pivotal for South Korea's economic future.

Selected universities are expected to not only enhance their curriculum related to the respective fields but also strengthen basic education, expand industry-academic partnerships, and develop high-quality education settings including securing excellent faculty and establishing robust experimental environments. The government plans to support a total of 33 specialized universities this year, including those involved with semiconductor and secondary battery projects, with a total budget of 120.9 billion won (around USD 100 million) to further the growth of these specialized educational sectors in South Korea.