Jeonbuk National University (JBNU), which operates departments where companies provide scholarships to all enrolled students and guarantee 100% employment upon graduation, is launching another employment-linked specialized program.

JBNU announced that the Department of Mechanical Design has been selected for the 2013 employment-linked specialization program operated by the Jeollabuk Provincial Government and will run a graduate (master's) program.

The employment-linked specialization program is designed for graduate students in the province who have difficulty finding employment. Under this program, universities and companies enter into hiring agreements in advance and operate field-oriented curricula that meet companies' needs.

The program will receive approximately 100 million won in funding, including support from the Jeollabuk Provincial Government and matching investments from JBNU and LG Electronics. Students will complete all courses free of charge and, upon graduation, seven students will be employed by LG Electronics at a 100% placement rate.

Accordingly, the Division of Mechanical Design Engineering will, from next year, develop company-customized courses on practical topics such as medium- and large-scale refrigeration, air-conditioning, and heat pump systems, and will train graduate students to become the tailored personnel required by companies.

Meanwhile, JBNU has operated employment-linked specialization programs in three fields—carbon, flexible printing, and agricultural machinery—since last year, and operates a retraining-type contracted department on the Gochang Campus.