Opening of blockchain major courses by South Korean universities is taking place one after the other. Competitions between universities to recruit students to their blockchain major courses are also very intense. It is expected that opening of blockchain major courses as well as sign of changes by South Korean Government will contribute to solving employment crisis in South Korea.
According to industries, major universities such as Korea University, Sogang University, Dongguk University, POSTECH (Pohang University of Science and Technology), Hanyang University, Chung-ang University, Yonsei University, and Konkuk University either have established blockchain major courses or are preparing them. Most of them set up blockchain major within their information security graduate schools or information communication graduate schools and they are planning to provide various courses such as introduction to blockchain and actual application of blockchain.
Number of demands for manpower within blockchain industry has quickly increased as early markets have been established recently. Large corporations such as Samsung SDS, SK Telecom, and LG CNS have also jumped into blockchain business. Small and medium companies that are preparing for new businesses or startup companies are constantly struggling with lack of manpower.
South Korean Government announced its plan to promote 10,000 blockchain experts until 2022 through its strategies for developing blockchain technology. Its plan is to designate more than two blockchain research centers every year so that blockchain experts can be produced from South Korean universities.

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Chung-ang University and POSTECH were selected by ‘University ICT Research Center Support Project, which is ran by Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT), regarding blockchain-related projects. MSIT is planning to support industry-university cooperation with blockchain companies so that many blockchain experts can be produced.
Sogang University and Dongguk University established blockchain major within their Graduate School of Information & Technology and international information security graduate school university. Sogang University’s blockchain course is composed of blockchain system track and FinTech track and it gives a master’s degree for students who complete 30 credits. Dongguk University’s blockchain course, which has subjects such as introduction to blockchain, cryptology, agreement algorithm, and service application, is operated together with Dongguk University’s FinTech course.
Blockchain executive course established by Korea University’s Graduate School of Information Security and Korea University’s Graduate School of Management of Technology issues a certificate for students who complete a course that lasts 6 months. Yonsei University established blockchain expert course to Institute of Continuing Education for Future’s best expert course and it gives out a certificate for students who complete 15-weeks course.
Hanyang University recently opened Hanyang Blockchain Research Center and is preparing to establish blockchain department based on this research center in 2019. Its plan is to establish this research center as a testbed for verifying and testing technologies by applying document certification and research records management to blockchain.
Konkuk University’s Graduate School of Information and Telecommunication also restructured its Information Security Department and is planning to include blockchain major in 2019. Its plans is to invite actual employees in blockchain industry and form a curriculum that focuses on hands-on activities.
Some are worried that blockchain courses established by universities are somewhat different from demands that are needed by blockchain companies. They also point out that lectures by representatives from domestic and foreign ICO projects can be used as tools to promote their ICOs.
“Opening of blockchain major will be a gate for talented individuals to flow into blockchain and other relevant industries.” said a representative for the industry. “We hope that blockchain courses will not just provide introduction to blockchain and form personal network but develop technical capabilities that can actually be used in real life.”
Staff Reporter Park, Jungeun | jepark@etnews.com