Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) is expected to become the hub leading industry–university collaboration in the Jeonbuk region. This is because JBNU was recently selected in the final round for the 'Leaders in INdustry-University Cooperation (LINC) Development Project (hereinafter the LINC Project),' a program led by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and the National Research Foundation of Korea to create various industry–university collaboration leading models linked to regional industries.

* LINC : Leaders in INdustry-University Cooperation

The Ministry evaluated 92 universities nationwide that applied to the LINC Project using basic capability indicators, a formula assessment based on a total of 14 industry–university collaboration indicators, presentation evaluations, and so on. It announced that it had selected 14 universities nationwide, including JBNU, as "Technology-Innovation Type Leaders in Industry–University Collaboration."

Accordingly, JBNU will receive up to approximately KRW 25 billion from the government over five years, and, together with provincial funds and self-funded contributions, will operate on a scale of approximately KRW 27.2 billion to lead technology-innovation-type industry–university collaboration that enables regional universities and local industry to develop in a mutually beneficial manner.

JBNU will reform its personnel system and educational system to be industry–university collaboration–friendly to create leading models of industry–university collaboration. The university will carry out industry–university collaboration support projects to support regional industrial development. Jeollabuk-do Province and Jeonju City will participate, and the initiative will be promoted as Jeonbuk's representative industry–university collaboration project.

In particular, JBNU's strength in the new and renewable energy field was selected as a specialization area linked to regional industry, and the university will concentrate support on workforce development and company support in that field.

The university will also expand field training and capstone design programs to align university education with field needs, and will establish a Field Training Education Support Center to strengthen field training and actively cultivate outstanding industry–university collaboration talent.
* Capstone Design: A creative comprehensive design education program that involves trainees in the entire process of planning, designing, and producing a work.

In addition, to raise students' interest in entrepreneurship, the university will establish an Entrepreneurship Education Center and will focus support on offering entrepreneurship courses and supporting startup clubs to cultivate students' entrepreneurial spirit.

President Seo Geoseok said, "Being selected as a Leaders in INdustry-University Cooperation university holds great significance in that it establishes a foundation for leading the mutually beneficial development of the university and regional industry as a regional hub university." He added, "We will establish an industry–university collaboration–oriented education system and solidify field-centered education and entrepreneurship education to actively promote regional economic revitalization and the cultivation of outstanding talent through industry–university collaboration."