Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) has partnered with Purdue University, a U.S. institution with world-class engineering and research capabilities, to establish a global collaborative research hub.

JBNU held an opening ceremony for the "JBNU-Purdue Research Institute (JPRI)" on March 31 at the on-campus Industry–University Convergence Plaza, officially marking the start of strategic cooperation between the two universities.

The event drew strong interest and was attended by President Yang Oh-bong and Purdue Vice President Dimitrios Peroulis, as well as Noh Sang-heup, Director of Camtic Comprehensive Technology Institute, and Lee Jeong-kwon, Chairman of DH Group.

Purdue University is a leading U.S. research university recognized for its global competitiveness in advanced technology fields such as engineering, aerospace, and semiconductors. Through collaboration with numerous global companies and research institutions, Purdue has led innovative technologies. Cooperation with Purdue is expected to elevate JBNU’s research capabilities to world-class levels and serve as an important turning point in building a global collaborative research ecosystem.

This collaboration is being advanced in connection with the government’s "Regional Hub National University Development Policy" and the "Establishment of an International Cooperation Platform Among Outstanding Research Institutions" initiative. Under this strategic partnership, each university will establish a research institute and systematically expand cooperation across education, research, and Industry–University Collaboration. Earlier, President Yang visited Purdue in January and signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to lay the groundwork for cooperation.

Under the agreement, the two universities will progressively expand cooperation across teaching and research, including joint faculty appointments and visiting professorships, collaborative research, and undergraduate and graduate student exchange programs.

The newly established research institute will function as a core base for international collaborative research and Industry–University Collaboration beyond simple academic exchange. At JBNU, 25 faculty members from 18 departments, including the Department of Advanced Defense Technology and Industry, will participate. Purdue will contribute key researchers, including Professor Martin Byung-Guk Jun in the field of mechanical engineering. With industry partners such as Hyundai Rotem and DH Autonex participating, an industry–university–research collaboration model is expected to be developed to jointly plan and carry out large-scale government research projects and company-linked projects.

In particular, this collaboration is directly linked to strengthening research competitiveness in advanced industry fields that JBNU is focusing on, such as Physical AI and advanced defense industry. JBNU plans to invite Purdue’s distinguished scholars as Distinguished Chair Professors to create a world-class research environment and to accelerate the training of globally competitive talent through advanced technology-based interdisciplinary education.

Kuk Kyung-soo, Vice-President of the Office of Planning, presented the progress of the institute’s establishment at the event. The official MOU between the two universities was signed and the research institute’s plaque was unveiled. Attendees then toured JBNU’s Physical AI Manufacturing Technology Demonstration Lab and discussed future cooperation opportunities.

This global cooperation framework is closely aligned with the government’s "Make 10 Seoul National University" policy (aimed at strengthening the global competitiveness of regional hub national universities). JBNU plans to build a world-class research and education cooperation system based on JPRI and to advance as a global hub university that drives national competitiveness beyond the region.

President Yang Oh-bong said, "Cooperation with Purdue, one of the world’s top engineering universities, will be a decisive opportunity for JBNU to emerge as a core hub for education and research in global advanced technology fields," adding, "We will implement a world-class interdisciplinary education and research model encompassing student exchanges, online joint degrees, joint appointments of outstanding faculty, and technology management."