[Provided by North Gyeongsang Province]
[Provided by North Gyeongsang Province]

North Gyeongsang Province announced Monday it will invest 60 billion won ($39.1 million) to train core talent in strategic industries including AI, advanced aviation and biotech.

To that end, the province signed MOUs with Yeungnam University, Kyungwoon University, Daegu Catholic University, Daegu University and Kyungil University, designating them "North Gyeongsang Strategic Industry Anchor Universities." The initiative aims to create a model in which young people develop into skilled professionals, find employment and settle in the region.

Over the next four years, the 60 billion won investment will build an industrial innovation ecosystem centered on these specialized universities, linking them with businesses and research institutions.

Yeungnam University will lead AI talent development and ecosystem building, Kyungwoon University will focus on advanced aviation, and Daegu Catholic University, Daegu University and Kyungil University will handle the biotech sector.

Yeungnam University will establish an AI convergence and innovation ecosystem centered on Gyeongsan as an AI knowledge-service hub, Yeongcheon as an AI manufacturing and advanced-materials hub, and Uiseong as an AI smart-agriculture hub.

A new North Gyeongsang AI Convergence Center will train about 4,000 specialists and support the digital transformation of local industries.

Kyungwoon University will partner with the Gumi National Industrial Complex to train advanced aviation professionals, build a testing, evaluation and demonstration framework for future aircraft, and provide one-stop support for businesses.

The university plans to develop and operate 75 aviation-related curricula in collaboration with industry and train more than 6,000 advanced aviation specialists.

Daegu Catholic University, Daegu University and Kyungil University will pursue biotech-focused education, bioprocess and materials research, joint industry-academia R&D, and company-tailored practical training to build a biotech innovation ecosystem.

The three universities will operate a joint biotech degree program and establish a talent pipeline running from high school — for early identification of promising students — through university admission and into corporate training partnerships. The goal is to nurture about 10,000 specialists.

"We will support the anchor universities in playing their role in creating a virtuous cycle where talent from local universities connects with local companies, driving industry growth and regional development," North Gyeongsang Governor Lee Cheol-woo said.


kbj7653@heraldcorp.com