A student from the Department of Materials Chemistry at Korea Polytechnics' Ulsan campus cools a metal specimen in water after heating it to above 850 degrees Celsius for quenching. [Korea Polytechnics Ulsan campus]
A student from the Department of Materials Chemistry at Korea Polytechnics' Ulsan campus cools a metal specimen in water after heating it to above 850 degrees Celsius for quenching. [Korea Polytechnics Ulsan campus]

Korea Polytechnics' Ulsan campus produced award winners in the casting and heat treatment categories at the 2026 Root Technology Skills Competition, organized by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology.

The competition is held to identify skilled workers in the foundry industries that underpin manufacturing — including casting, molding, plastic forming, welding, surface treatment and heat treatment. Participants are assessed on their practical work ability, understanding of production processes and problem-solving skills.

Kim Dong-hwi, a student in the Department of Materials Chemistry, received the Minister of Employment and Labor Award in the casting category, while fellow student Park Seong-hyeon took the Korea Heat Treatment Engineering Society President's Award in the heat treatment category.

Choi Han-geul, head of the Department of Materials Chemistry, said the awards reflect the campus's achievements in hands-on education in foundry-related fields, and that the department would redouble its efforts to prepare students to serve as skilled professionals in industry.


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