Establishing an advanced semiconductor education base through regional industry-academia-research collaboration

Joint research and education programs using proton/ion beams to be actively pursued

Regional industry expected to benefit from practical talent development and technological cooperation

[July 25, 2025]

<YU and the Proton Engineering Frontier Project of the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute signed an MoU to foster semiconductor professionals and establish an industry-academia-research collaboration system>

 Yeungnam University (President CHOI Oe-chool) and the Proton Engineering Frontier Project of the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (Director LEE Jae-sang) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on July 10 at 11:00 a.m. in the CRC Building conference room at YU to foster semiconductor professionals and establish a cooperative framework among academia, industry, and research institutions. 

 The signing ceremony was attended by Director LEE Jae-sang and members of the administrative support team from the Proton Engineering Frontier Project, as well as Director KIM Jong-su and representatives from YU’s Semiconductor Specialized University Project Group. Following the signing, both institutions engaged in presentations and discussions on potential areas for mutual collaboration.

 This agreement aims to promote mutual benefits and regional development by encouraging the exchange of knowledge, information, and human resources between the two organizations in response to rapid technological advancements and the information age. Under the agreement, the two parties will collaborate in the following areas:

▲ Joint efforts to promote the semiconductor industry and industry-academia-research cooperation

▲ Consultation and collaboration for training semiconductor professionals

▲ Support for site visits, hands-on training, and talent matching

▲ Joint research infrastructure and R&D for mutual growth

▲ Technical support and business consulting for field-level challenges

 Notably, this agreement lays the groundwork for implementing specialized semiconductor education by combining the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute’s expertise in proton/ion beam technology with YU’s semiconductor-focused educational infrastructure. Moving forward, the two institutions plan to introduce and jointly utilize semiconductor ion implantation equipment and operate collaborative educational programs to cultivate practical talent and enhance the semiconductor industry's competitiveness in the region.

 Director KIM Jong-su of YU’s Semiconductor Specialized University Project Group stated, “This agreement allows us to go beyond theory-based education and establish a practical, industry-grounded semiconductor training system.” He added, “We will continue to strengthen collaboration among academia, industry, and research institutions in the region to nurture globally competitive semiconductor professionals.”