Kyung Hee University (KHU) has been selected for the 2026 High-Tech Industry Talent Training Boot Camp in Artificial Intelligence (AI), organized by the Ministry of Education and the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology. The program is scheduled to begin full-scale operations this summer. With a total of 7.125 billion won in national funding to be invested over the next five years, the project aims to foster practical talent through short-term intensive education programs jointly operated by the University and partner companies.

Wide Departmental Participation and a Network of 29 Companies

 The selection process was highly competitive, with only three Seoul area universities—KHU, Sungkyunkwan University, and the University of Seoul—chosen for the project. Professor Lee Seung-kyu of the Dept. of Artificial Intelligence, the project director, cited interdisciplinary collaboration and use of both campuses as KHU's key strengths. In addition to the College of Software, College of Electronics and Information, College of Art and Design, Dept. of Industrial and Management Engineering, and School of Mechanical Engineering joined from the early stages. Furthermore, 29 leading AI-related companies, such as Naver Cloud, LG AI Research, Kakao Healthcare, and Hancom Inspace, will take part in the process, from curriculum development to lecturing, providing practical education.

Practical Career Links via ‘MD package’ and Tailored Opportunities for Non-Majors

The curriculum is divided into a basic certification course for beginners and professional micro-degree (MD) courses for intermediate and advanced learners. Notably, the advanced courses will be developed in partnership with specific companies. The project group plans to introduce a MD Package system, in which students sequentially complete multiple MDs. Discussions are underway with companies to allow students who complete these packages and corporate field training from coding tests or technical interviews when applying to the respective companies, and move directly to the final interview. These opportunities will be open to all students through regular course registration. For example, if non-AI majors take the intermediate course in their senior year's first semester and complete the advanced course during the summer and the following semester, they can graduate as convergence talents with added AI capabilities.

Pangyo VI Campus: A Core Hub for Industry-Academic Cooperation

Another core element is utilizing Kyung Hee Pangyo VI Campus, which opened in March. Taking advantage of its geographical proximity to many partner companies in Pangyo, Prof. Lee stated the University plans to strengthen its presence in the area and encourage more active industry participation. Intensive education, joint projects, and field training during vacations are scheduled to take place mainly at the VI Campus. As a venture incubation hub, the campus is expected to help identify real-world technical needs through interaction with promising startups and industry professionals and reflect these needs in its educational programs. In addition, team-teaching lectures, jointly conducted by industry practitioners and full-time professors, will be actively introduced.

KHU’s High-Tech Industry Talent Training Boot Camp plans to begin full-scale promotion and recruitment events, including a student expo, during the summer vacation. Prof. Lee emphasized that even with an excellent curriculum and company partners, the ultimate success of the project depends on student participation. He added that a virtuous cycle can be completed when student feedback is continuously reflected and successful employment cases accumulate, allowing future students to follow the path more smoothly. KHU students are encouraged to pay close attention to detailed guidance and recruitment schedules that the University will provide in the future.