Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) is partnering with Sunchang County (Governor Choi Young-il) to promote customized talent development linked to the region's future growth drivers and to strengthen industry–university collaboration.

JBNU signed a memorandum of understanding on the 23rd at 10:30 a.m. at the University Headquarters for "Growth Engine-Linked Local Talent Development," with President Yang O-bong and Sunchang County Governor Choi Young-il among those in attendance.

This agreement was established to strengthen a mutually beneficial cooperation framework between the region and the university in line with the Ministry of Education's "Plan for Fostering Regional Talent Linked to Growth Engines," commonly referred to as the "Creating Ten Seoul National University-Level Institutions" policy, and to lay the groundwork for the two institutions to cooperate in promoting balanced national development.

Under the agreement, the two institutions will jointly promote local talent development projects linked to JBNU's strategic industrial growth engines, including advanced robot foundry, green hydrogen systems, agro-life and bio, artificial intelligence (AI), mobility, and renewable energy.

In particular, they will support cooperative projects with specialized high schools located in Sunchang County, expand AI education in the region, and advance AI convergence research and demonstration projects connected to Sunchang County's strategic industries.

Through these efforts, they plan to cultivate practical talent that meets regional industrial demand and to establish a virtuous-cycle foundation in which educational and research achievements strengthen regional industrial competitiveness and contribute to youth retention.

President Yang O-bong said, "We will closely connect JBNU's educational and research capabilities with Sunchang County's industrial strengths to unlock new growth possibilities for the region," adding, "We will further expand substantive cooperation with local governments to create a balanced national development model in which the region and the university grow together."

Sunchang County Governor Choi Young-il also responded, "This agreement will serve as a starting point to reinforce Sunchang's future industrial foundation and to provide new growth opportunities for local youth and young people," and added, "We will work closely with JBNU to foster talent and drive industrial innovation that leverages regional strengths such as AI and agro-life."