Japanese students from Yeungjin University's Global Systems Convergence Department pose for a photo after securing jobs in Japan. [Yeungjin University]
Japanese students from Yeungjin University's Global Systems Convergence Department pose for a photo after securing jobs in Japan. [Yeungjin University]

Japanese international students who received specialized AI and IT training at Yeungjin University in Daegu have secured jobs at companies in Japan ahead of their graduation, the university announced Friday.

Tanaka Haruna, 31, from Fukuoka Prefecture, originally worked as a nurse before coming to South Korea to study Korean and then pivoting to the IT field.

Over three years, Tanaka studied AI engineering and programming and took part in a multinational student project to develop an AI-based salon reservation management app.

Drawing on nursing experience and IT knowledge, Tanaka was hired by Tophills Co., a Japanese medical IT firm, with an eye toward the healthcare sector.

Ooi Ayame, 23, from Hokkaido, came to South Korea in 2022 after developing an interest in K-pop and K-dramas. After initially studying in the hotel, aviation and tourism department, Ooi switched to IT and enrolled in the Global Systems Convergence Department in 2024.

After building skills in programming, web development and AI technology, Ooi received a job offer from Japanese firm Yayoi Co. and is set to begin working there in April next year.

Jung Young-chul, head of the Global Systems Convergence Department, said the students' diverse backgrounds and major competencies were opening doors to new career paths. "We will expand our efforts to nurture overseas talent and achieve more local employment outcomes through practice-oriented education tailored to industry demand," Jung said.


kbj7653@heraldcorp.com