[Korea Federation of SMEs]
[Korea Federation of SMEs]

58 SME CEOs complete 7-month management, AI curriculum

KBIZ AMP traces roots to 2008 SB-CEO School launch

Recruitment for 21st cohort opens in December

The Korea Federation of SMEs' executive education program, KBIZ AMP, has graduated its 20th cohort of 58 participants, bringing the total number of alumni to 1,149 since the program launched as the SB-CEO School in 2008.

The Korea Federation of SMEs held the KBIZ AMP 20th cohort graduation ceremony Monday at KBIZ Hall in Yeouido, Seoul. About 80 people attended, including Korea Federation of SMEs Executive Vice President Oh Ki-woong, KBIZ AMP Alumni Association President Lee Sin-haeng, Senior Vice President Choi Kang-jin and the graduating participants.

KBIZ AMP is an executive education program designed to strengthen the management capabilities of small and medium-sized enterprise CEOs and expand networking among business leaders. It was launched as the SB-CEO School during the tenure of former Korea Federation of SMEs Chairman Kim Ki-moon in 2008.

This year's 20th cohort ran for seven months across four themes: leadership and communication, strategic thinking and convergence, management essentials, and the happy CEO. The program included 15 regular lectures as well as breakfast seminars, domestic and overseas workshops, and alumni networking events.

The curriculum particularly addressed how the spread of AI is reshaping the business environment. Han Sang-ki, CEO of Tech Frontier, lectured on global technology trends and corporate strategy in the AI era, while Choi Jae-bung, a professor at Sungkyunkwan University, covered survival strategies for the AI age. Park Jeong-ho, a professor at Myongji University, addressed the global economic outlook and SME response strategies, and Jang Hang-bae, a professor at Chung-Ang University, examined technology protection strategies for small businesses in an era of technological competition.

At the graduation ceremony, 12 outstanding participants were recognized based on their attendance and alumni activities. Kim Tae-eun, CEO of Jinyeong Color Solution, received a merit plaque in recognition of contributions as class president.

The Korea Federation of SMEs chairman's award went to seven recipients: Ko Yun-gyeong, director at Yeongjin Asset; Kim Ji-hong, CEO of Bacon Design Studio; Kim Ji-hun, CEO of E&S; Kim Hye-suk, CEO of The Hanoi; Nam Eun-gyeong, division head at EM Infini; Son Mi-ja, executive director at A Plus Asset Advisor; and Chu Jae-ho, CEO of Hangang Engineering.

The alumni association president's award went to four recipients: Kim Yun-sun, CEO of Sejeon Yegeon; Lee Nam-un, CEO of NFS; Jo Gil-ju, CEO of Tomatosystem; and Jeong Ung-gi, CEO of J4U Solution.

"Thank you for participating so actively with a passion for learning even during difficult times," Oh Ki-woong, executive vice president of the Korea Federation of SMEs, said. "Even after graduation, I hope you will strengthen your network through alumni association activities and help build a new future for AMP."

The Korea Federation of SMEs plans to begin recruiting participants for the 21st cohort of KBIZ AMP in December.


hong@heraldcorp.com