Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) has been selected as the sole lead university in the Honam region for the '2012 Industry–University–Research Joint Technology Development: Industry–University Collaboration Priority Project' (hereinafter the 'Industry–University Collaboration Priority Project'), organized and implemented by the Small and Medium Business Administration.

The Small and Medium Business Administration stated that, in order to strengthen the existing Industry–University–Research Joint Technology Development Program and to provide continuous, close support for R&D execution, it has selected JBNU as the only university in the Honam regional economic zone to carry out the Industry–University Collaboration Priority Project.

The Industry–University Collaboration Priority Project is a pilot program newly implemented this year by the Small and Medium Business Administration. It selects five universities nationwide (one university per regional economic zone) and provides up to KRW 1 billion per university for one year to support R&D projects and non‑R&D activities for SMEs within the zone by utilizing university infrastructure.

Accordingly, JBNU will support SMEs in the region by providing R&D projects (start-up type, growth type) aimed at fostering a green industry base, and non‑R&D services—from project planning to technology commercialization—including management consulting, technical guidance, patent support, technology commercialization, design, marketing, and market access support.

In particular, JBNU was recently selected under the Ministry of Education's Leaders in INdustry–University Cooperation (LINC) program, a large national R&D project valued at approximately KRW 25 billion, further recognizing the university as a leading institution for industry–university collaboration in the Honam regional zone.

President Seo Geoseok said, 'Being selected as a LINC university and as the lead institution for the Industry–University Collaboration Priority Project is very welcome news for JBNU, which has worked to advance industry–university collaboration. We will strive to contribute to strengthening the competitiveness of SMEs by establishing a systematic industry–university cooperation support system tailored to the needs of SMEs.'