Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) and Chonnam National University will hold the 'Honam Regional Semiconductor Forum & Job Festival' on the 26th at The May Hotel in Jeonju, bringing together local governments, research institutes, and businesses.

This event, hosted by JBNU with Chonnam National University participating as a partner university, is regarded as the starting point for expanding the outcomes of the Semiconductor Specialized University Project (Project Group Director Professor Kim Jin-su) across the region and for formalizing the launch of a Greater Honam semiconductor ecosystem. It will activate a regional-scale semiconductor collaboration platform where universities, local governments, research institutes, and industry meet simultaneously.

After being selected in 2023 for the Ministry of Education's Semiconductor Specialized University support program (Co-Growth Model), JBNU and Chonnam National University have pursued the establishment of a Semiconductor Convergence Major and practice-oriented curriculum innovation based on KRW 34 billion in national funding and counterpart investments from local governments. In particular, they have built system, memory, and sensor tracks centered on semiconductors for next-generation mobility, strengthening the development of specialized talent aligned with regional industry needs.

The forum will be attended by representatives from the Jeollabuk Provincial Government, Gwangju Metropolitan City, Jeonju City, the Semiconductor Association, semiconductor companies, semiconductor research institutes, representatives from over 30 semiconductor materials, parts, and equipment companies, personnel from the JBNU–Chonnam National University Semiconductor Specialized University Project Group, and students participating in the Semiconductor Convergence Major.

Under the theme 'The Role and Contribution of Semiconductors in the Honam Regional Science and Technology Industry,' the program will feature keynote speeches and panel discussions. In particular, discussions on the formal establishment of a 'Honam Regional Semiconductor Council' involving industry, local governments, and research institutes will be advanced.

Through the 1st Honam Regional Semiconductor Industry–University–Research Conference, the forum plans to firmly establish industry–university–research cooperation systems with local governments, companies, and research institutes, including joint R&D, operation of company-tailored curricula, and field training.

A large-scale job festival for students and job seekers who wish to join semiconductor-related companies will also take place. From the afternoon onward, more than 30 semiconductor materials, parts, and equipment companies will participate, offering one-on-one recruitment consultations, job briefings, mock interviews, consultations with research institutes (KIST·ETRI·광기술원), graduate school admission counseling, and a wide range of information, as well as opportunities that may lead to actual employment.

Kim Jin-su, Director of the JBNU Semiconductor Specialized University Project Group, said, 'This event gathers the capabilities of universities, local governments, research institutes, and companies across the Honam region and marks the starting point for the region to emerge as a new growth axis of the semiconductor industry. We will create and consolidate a regional cooperation model in which hub universities, local governments, companies, and research institutes act together, and build a robust ecosystem that links education and industry.'