The two institutions signed an agreement to establish the research center, marking the start of mid-to-long-term R&D collaboration. Their industry-academia partnership dates to 2016.

Samsung Heavy Industries Vice Chairman and CEO Choi Sung-an (left) and Seoul National University College of Engineering Dean Kim Young-o pose for a photo at the signing ceremony. [Samsung Heavy Industries]
Samsung Heavy Industries Vice Chairman and CEO Choi Sung-an (left) and Seoul National University College of Engineering Dean Kim Young-o pose for a photo at the signing ceremony. [Samsung Heavy Industries]

Samsung Heavy Industries signed an agreement Wednesday at Seoul National University's Gwanak Campus to establish the SHI-SNU Global Cooperative Research Center for Future Shipbuilding Technology, the company announced Thursday.

The center aims to advance mid-to-long-term convergence R&D on future shipbuilding technologies and cultivate global talent. Key areas of cooperation include the integration of shipbuilding and marine technologies with energy technology, global networking and research collaboration, and the development of world-class researchers through industry-academia education.

The industry-academia partnership between Samsung Heavy Industries and Seoul National University began in 2016 and marks its 11th anniversary this year. Over the past decade, the two institutions have pursued joint development of cutting-edge shipbuilding and marine technologies and fostered personnel exchanges. They have built a sustainable cooperation framework through efforts including production efficiency improvements driven by manufacturing data analysis and collaboration on eco-friendly fuel technologies.

Samsung Heavy Industries has been expanding its industry-academia partnerships with leading domestic universities to strengthen competitiveness in the shipbuilding and marine industry. Last month, it opened the SHI-KAIST Next-Generation Vessel Research Center together with KAIST. That center focuses on AI and robotics technologies to prepare for the era of physical AI.

"Seoul National University's outstanding research capabilities and talent have made a significant contribution not only to Samsung Heavy Industries' growth but also to strengthening the competitiveness of Korea's shipbuilding and marine industry," said Vice Chairman and CEO Choi Sung-an of Samsung Heavy Industries. "We will continue this collaboration and establish ourselves as a successful model of industry-academia partnership."


yeongdai@heraldcorp.com