Jeonbuk National University secures $183.9 mil. in state-funded projects over three years
Jeonbuk National University’s campus in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province / Courtesy of Jeonbuk National University
Funding boosts regional innovation, industry-academia-research partnerships
Jeonbuk National University has secured a combined 286.8 billion won ($183.9 million) in government-backed industry-academia collaboration projects under the Glocal University 30 initiative over the past three years, the university said Friday.
The large-scale funding is accelerating the school’s efforts to build the Jeonbuk University-Industry-City (JUIC) Triangle, which connects its campuses in Jeonju, Wanju, Iksan, Jeongeup and Saemangeum in North Jeolla Province with local industries to create a regional innovation model.
The achievement demonstrates how the Glocal University 30 project can foster shared growth between universities and local communities. It is the result of Jeonbuk National University’s efforts to establish a robust industry-academia-research collaboration framework in line with local authorities’ industrial development strategy.
The government-led initiative is designed to support 30 universities located in nonmetropolitan areas. “Glocal” is a portmanteau of “global” and “local,” signifying a dual push for globalization and localization.
“We will continue to expand a sustainable innovation model in which local communities, industries and the university grow together, with the JUIC Triangle at the center of our efforts," said Yang O-bong, president of the university.
Under the initiative, the university is fostering strategic industries tailored to each region, focusing on secondary batteries, sensor chips and defense industries in Saemangeum; agri-bio and green hydrogen industries in Jeonju and Wanju; and pet biotechnology and veterinary pharmaceuticals in Iksan and Jeongeup.
The school said its strategy has led to the successful acquisition of government-funded projects. Among the major projects secured over the last three years are a 60.2 billion won semiconductor joint research center project, a 29.9 billion won physical artificial intelligence (AI) core technology demonstration project, and a 49 billion won next-generation veterinary pharmaceuticals regulatory free zone project.
An aerial view of Jeonbuk National University’s campus in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province / Courtesy of Jeonbuk National University
The semiconductor joint research center project is regarded as a notable example of the open industry-academia-research cooperation platform promoted under the Glocal University 30 initiative.
Based on a collaborative framework involving businesses, universities and research institutes, the center conducts joint research and technology demonstration projects across semiconductor design, fabrication processes and equipment technologies.
The center plans to expand professional training opportunities and cultivate industry-ready talent equipped with practical skills that can be applied directly in the workplace.
The physical AI core technology demonstration project is also translating research outcomes into industrial applications through demonstration-oriented programs linked to regional industries. The project is expanding into a wide range of fields, including manufacturing, robotics and smart cities.
The veterinary pharmaceuticals regulatory free zone project is another key initiative directly linked to the pet biotechnology sector in the Iksan-Jeongeup region. Through technology demonstrations conducted under a regulatory sandbox framework and tailored support programs for participating companies, the project is expected to strengthen the regional industrial ecosystem and enhance global competitiveness.