1. What is the LINC3.0 Project of KU?
The LINC3.0 project of KU is a program aimed at supplying the region with necessary talent and spreading the outcomes of industry-university cooperation. KU, selected for field-specific support projects for undergraduate and graduate courses, focuses on fostering creative technical talents and innovative research personnel to play a central role in industry-university cooperation in the southeastern area of Korea. The KU’s LINC3.0 Project focuses on close cooperation with local industries to address industrial challenges and provide technological support. It combines the specialized knowledge and expertise of the university with the industry’s demands to solve problems and support the development of new technologies and products.
This effort contributes to enhancing the competitiveness of local industries and developing regional economic growth. Additionally, The KU’s LINC3.0 runs entrepreneurship support programs for students aspiring to start their own businesses. It helps in discovering and developing entrepreneurial ideas, providing entrepreneurship education and mentoring, thus increasing the success rate of startups and energizing the local startup ecosystem.
2. History and Achievements of KU’s LINC3.0 Project
The KU’s LINC3.0 Project has been conducting research and support to meet industrial demands and has been supporting various research projects to address technological issues faced by industries. It promotes industry-university cooperation to achieve practical research outcomes that are beneficial in realworld applications. KU has established various industry-university cooperation programs, focusing on fostering creative talents and supporting the growth of local companies, in response to the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Putting its focus on the defense industry, smart mechatronics and urban regeneration, the LINC3.0 project is aimed to produce creative and convergent talents and carry on specialized regional cooperation projects such as the ‘Junior Employee Education System.’ In the recent 1st-year annual evaluation of the 3rd-Phase Industry-University-Research Cooperation Leading University Fostering Project(LINC3.0), organized by the Ministry of Education, KU’s LINC3.0 Project Group received the ‘Outstanding’ grade. This high evaluation indicates that the LINC3.0 Project of KU has excelled in enhancing the industry-university cooperation system, establishing a cooperative ecosystem, and leading industry-university cooperation.
Kang Jae-gwan, the Vice President of Industry-University Cooperation and Professor of Mechanical Engineering, recently attended the ‘National Assembly Policy Debate for Establishing Innovation and Cooperation Network’ held at the National Assembly Hall. He announced the results of Industry-University Cooperation involved in Defense Industry in Changwon City.
In a presentation on the theme of ‘The Case of Changwon Region’s Defense Industry Cooperation,’ he introduced major cases of the regional defense industry, including the advance of K-defense industry, the efforts of South Gyeongsang Province and Changwon City as the Mecca of K-defense industry, and the introduction of the Defense Industry Regional Innovation Center of Kyungnam University which is the center of Industry-University Cooperation for the local defense industry. And he shared with the participants the achievements of forming the Defense Mini Cluster (K-DEC) which is the first voluntary consultative body consisting of small and medium-sized enterprises for the local defense industry in Korea.
Finally, he stated, “It was a good time to share and cooperate on how medium and small-sized defense industries in the region establish a cooperative system and how they develop the local defense industry in cooperation with universities.” He added, “he will exert more effort to present the future image as the defense industry which revitalizes the region with the local government.”
3. Current Projects of KU’s LINC3.0
Recently, the KU’s LINC3.0 Project Group participated in the Summer Forum for the 3rd-Phase Industry-University-Research Cooperation Leading University Fostering Project(LINC3.0), held in Gyeongju City from July 11 to 13. Park Eunju, the Chairman of the Project Group stated, “For regional innovation-centered industry-university cooperation, the representatives of LINC3.0 from 135 universities nationwide should stand at the forefront of the RISE (Regional Innovation System & Education) Project to continue the LINC3.0 Project System.” She further emphasized the importance of the LINC System in regional innovation and co-prosperity, as the accumulated know-how from the past decade has contributed to regional development. In response to the RISE, the 11 universities’ LINC3.0 Project Groups in the South Gyeongsang Province signed an MOU for Industry-University Cooperation with local governments. They are actively engaging in various discussions to build a cooperative system with the officials from the RISE project in the South Gyeongsang Province.
4. Future Plans of KU’s LINC3.0
At the Summer Forum, Park Eun-ju, the Chairman of KU’s LINC3.0 Project Group, expressed her determination to strive for regional development, entrepreneur-type university implementation, and the cultivation of talents that meet future demands, which resulted in positive evaluations thanks to joint efforts with KU members, family businesses, and the local community. The Project aims to continue to contribute to the development of universities, companies, and local communities through Industry-University Cooperation. In the future, the KU’s LINC3.0 Project will continue its efforts to enhance regional development and improve the educational and research capabilities of students. It will prioritize close cooperation with the local community to produce mutual benefits between industry and education, generating sustainable outcomes and growth. The Project also plans to develop new fields and programs for lifelong education, responding to technological and industrial changes. Moreover, it will strengthen internationalization through overseas study programs and education for foreign students to promote international exchanges. It will also enhance partnership with industries, provide industrycentered education and assist employment.
