Recently, among the Leaders in INdustry-University Cooperation (LINC) Project selections announced by the Ministry of Education and the National Research Foundation of Korea, Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) was chosen as a large-scale, technology-innovation type LINC institution and will receive the largest allocation of government project funding nationwide.

According to the Ministry of Education, among the 14 universities nationwide selected as technology-innovation type leaders, JBNU will receive KRW 4.27 billion per year, totaling KRW 21.35 billion over five years. Including local government funding, matching contributions, and incentive grants, the project is expected to be worth up to KRW 25 billion.

JBNU secured the largest government funding among the selected universities because its efforts to reorganize university systems for industry–university collaboration and to develop leading models were highly evaluated.

In practice, JBNU was recognized for excellent initiatives in this selection, such as establishing a One-Stop Support Center for cooperative projects with industry and identifying excellent programs, including plans to operate family companies.

In particular, the LINC Project links with JBNU’s existing large-scale national R&D programs — the Regional Economic Zone Leading Project (Center for Training Talent in Renewable Energy) and the Regional Hub Research Group Development Project (Healthcare Technology Development Project Group). JBNU was also highly evaluated for generating core research personnel and producing industry-tailored workforce through these existing projects.

Accordingly, JBNU has selected the renewable energy sector — a core area of industry–university collaboration and a growth-driving industry for Jeonbuk — as a focus area. The university plans to concentrate on workforce development and support for companies in this field.