Jeonbuk National University (JBNU)-affiliated Energy and Resource Development Research Institute (Director Song Young-su) signed an Industry–University Collaboration MOU with GeoGenie Consultants Co., Ltd. to cultivate professional personnel.

GeoGenie Consultants Co., Ltd. is the country's only company specializing in full-cycle resource development consulting and mine design. It provides consulting related to mine operations for domestic and international projects.

Under this agreement, the company will provide software for resource development specialists worth KRW 1 billion to the Energy and Resource Development Research Institute and the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy Engineering to support enhancing student competitiveness.

It also plans to promote mutual development through training and practical education support for overseas resource development specialists and through technical exchange cooperation in overseas resource development.

Song Young-su, director of the Energy and Resource Development Research Institute, said, 'With the solid support from GeoGenie Consultants, we expect the competitiveness of our students in the related fields to increase significantly,' and added, 'By jointly utilizing the strengths such as technology and information held by both institutions, we hope this will not only foster professional personnel but also create a win-win opportunity for both parties.'

Meanwhile, JBNU's Energy and Resource Development Research Institute was established in 2017 to strengthen industry–university cooperation in the field of energy and resource development, establish a collaborative research system, and promote international cooperation with companies and university research institutes related to overseas resource development. Since then, it has operated in cooperation with many companies and institutions, including Korea Gas Corporation and Homeland Solution Co., Ltd.