Gachon University, Kyonggi University, Kyungpook National University, Sungkyunkwan University, Soon Chun Hyang University, Chonnam National University, and Chungnam National University have newly been selected as software-centered universities. Korea Aerospace University and Sahmyook University have been selected as software-centered universities through a special track. Seoul National University and Chung-Ang University have newly joined as AI Graduate Schools.
The Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) announced its result for selection of software-centered universities, AI Graduate Schools, and Software (SW) Star Labs.
Nine new SW-centered graduate schools (normal: 7 & special: 2) were newly selected this year. The MSIT decided to select SW-centered graduate schools through a normal track and a special track starting from this year. The normal track has the same requirement (more than 100 people in entrance quota) and support plan ($1.8 million annually) as universities that were selected as SW-centered universities in the past. 28 universities applied (4:1 competition rate), and the seven universities were selected this year. Out of the seven, Gachon University, Kyungpook National University, Sungkyunkwan University, and Chungnam National University are the very first universities selected as SW-centered universities and they were reselected as SW-centered universities after their support from the government ended last year.
The special track ($900,000 annually) has been implemented to spread innovation education in SW throughout small-sized universities. 11 universities (5.2:1 competition rate) applied, and Korea Aerospace University and Sahmyook University were selected.
The program, which started in 2015, has restructured education process of SW, increased maximum number of people who can major in SW, and trained talented individuals in SW. Between 2015 and 2020, the project has produced 25,095 people who majored in SW and 15,642 people who specialize in different subjects.
Total of 11 universities (5.5:1 competition rate) applied to be AI Graduate Schools, and Seoul National University and Chung-Ang University were selected. The two universities proposed that they have secured maximum number of at least 40 people with either master’s or doctoral degree in AI, expanded their faculties with major in AI, and established different plans on how they are going to operate their curriculums in regard to AI.
The program for AI Graduate Schools began in 2019 and it currently has 12 universities operating as AI Graduate Schools. Currently, 933 people are going through either master’s or doctoral program at these universities.
For the SW Star Lab program, the MSIT selected six new labs to be part of the program. The government will assist Star Labs in securing basic and fundamental technologies in five fields and developing talented individuals with either master’s or doctoral degree who will lead SW innovation. 34 labs (5.7:1 competition rate) applied this year, and Seoul National University’s Systems Software and Architecture Laboratory (professor in charge: Kim Jin-soo), Sungkyunkwan University’s Automation Lab (professor in charge: Jeon Jae-wook), KAIST’s Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning Lab (professor in charge: Yoo Chang-dong), KAIST’s Software Security Lab (professor in charge: Cha Sang-gil), Dankook University’s Embedded System Lab (professor in charge: Choi Jong-mu), and KAIST’s Interaction Lab (professor in charge: Kim Ju-ho) were selected.
Cho Kyung-sik, who is the second vice-minister of the MSIT, said that many within industries have been voicing their difficulties in finding right people. He also said that the South Korean Government would try to expand its support in developing talented individuals according to demands from industries and efforts put in by each university in innovating their education in SW.
Staff Reporter Kim, Jiseon | river@etnews.com