Students in the Metal System Engineering Major, School of Materials Science and Engineering, won the Excellence Award at the 5th Metallurgy Learning Group Final Presentation organized by the Korea Iron & Steel Association’s Steel Industry Human Resource Development Council (hereinafter 'Steel SC').

The Metallurgy Learning Group is a program in which student teams carry out projects addressing real industry problems. Current researchers from POSCO, Dongkuk Steel and SeAH Besteel and ten student teams majoring in metallurgy from eight universities, including Jeonbuk National University (JBNU), carried out projects over four months. The program aims to improve practical skills in steel-related fields and help students build the competencies needed to enter related companies.

Among participants in 2020, six were hired by steel companies such as Hyundai Steel and SeAH Besteel, and nine entered graduate programs related to steel and metallurgy for advanced study.

The JBNU Metal System Engineering student team—Lee Ju‑heon, Jeong Seung‑ik, Kim Seong‑jin, Shin Woo‑chul and Choi Jeong‑ho (advisors: Prof. Lee Seok‑jae and Prof. Oh Min‑seok)—participated in the competition and conducted a four‑month project titled 'Evaluation of Carbide Behavior in STB2 Bearing Steel during the Reheating Process,' proposing a solution to a problem faced by industry.

To secure carbide segregation quality, the students evaluated the behavior and dissolution of coarse carbides under various reheating conditions and designed optimal reheating parameters. In addition, they presented findings that the simultaneous application of pressure load reduces the energy required in the furnace process.

Consequently, shortening the reheating furnace process in the steel industry could lead to reduced fuel costs and lower harmful emissions. The judges praised the project, noting that securing optimal processes and rolling technologies like this is essential to address environmental issues such as tightening carbon‑neutrality regulations.

Lee Ju‑heon said, 'Working with my teammates over four months on the assigned project allowed me to build practical skills in my major. Based on these achievements, I will continue to strengthen my capabilities to succeed in the steel industry.'