Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) and the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST; President Oh Sang-rok) established the Dept. of JBNU-KIST Industry-Academia Convergence Research (Head: Professor Seung-hee Lee) based on the university–institute joint professorship system first introduced at a national university. The department has partnered with PNH Tech Co., Ltd. (CEO Hyun Seo-yong), an SME in the field of organic electronic materials, to begin full-scale implementation of an industry-linked educational program.

The Dept. of JBNU-KIST Industry-Academia Convergence Research and PNH Tech Co., Ltd. announced on the 17th that they recently signed a memorandum of understanding to operate the 'Jeonbuk-Style Waterloo Co-operative Education (Co-op) Program' and the 'Academic–Industry–Research Linkage Track.'

The agreement focuses on establishing a practical industry–university collaboration model that connects graduate students' disciplinary competencies with industry experience and supports both employment at local companies and completion of degree programs.

The 'Jeonbuk-Style Waterloo Co-op Program' is a field training support initiative that redesigns the University of Waterloo's practical talent development model to fit local conditions. Students receive theoretical and specialized instruction at the university during the semester and participate in workplace practicums at companies during breaks, thereby enhancing both subject knowledge and practical skills.

The 'Academic–Industry–Research Linkage Track' is an industry–university collaboration training program that links students' hands-on experience at participating companies with full-time employment and completion of degree programs. It is designed to help students systematically acquire the competencies required by companies while enabling them to continue academic development even while employed.

In particular, PNH Tech Co., Ltd. plans to select one industry-sponsored scholarship recipient from program participants beginning in 2027 and provide a monthly scholarship. The company is a global core materials firm that, based on creative research and development, develops organic electronic materials with high future value and leads the OLED materials industry. It is also concentrating research and development on semiconductor and glass substrate process materials as future business areas.

The Dept. of JBNU-KIST Industry-Academia Convergence Research at JBNU has been expanding agreements with companies and promoting field-centered education and employment linkage in line with the Ministry of Science and ICT's 'pilot project for establishing a university–research collaboration platform' and policies to dismantle barriers between universities and government research institutes. Through these efforts, two graduate students who participated in the industry–university cooperation internship program operated with EnerTech International Co., Ltd. in February were both hired as full-time employees.

Professor Seung-hee Lee said, 'This program is an important practical track of the Ministry of Science and ICT's policy to remove barriers between universities and government research institutes,' and added, 'We will expand the foundation for customized talent trained through the university–institute professorships to flow into local companies, and ensure this becomes a model case of industry–university–research cooperation and leads to improved employment rates for graduate students.'

Meanwhile, graduate students wishing to participate in the program may inquire or apply via the Dept. of JBNU-KIST Industry-Academia Convergence Research email (jbnukist@jbnu.ac.kr).