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KOREATECH President Yoo Gil-sang: AI innovation, practice-based engineering, and generous welfare drive top-tier national employment rates
Policy2 min read
Korea University of Technology and Education (KOREATECH, called Hanki University here) turned 35 years old and says its hands-on engineering model has produced top job-placement results. Its president, Yoo Gil-sang, explained the school's plans for AI-based teaching and its strong student support.
A birthday with big goals
On the 2nd, the school marked its 35th anniversary with a ceremony attended by about 200 professors, staff, and guests. President Yoo Gil-sang said the school wants to grow into a 'great university' over the next 100 years. The school is a special national university for engineering and job training, set up by the Ministry of Employment and Labor.
Key numbers
- Job placement rate: 82.8%, the highest among Korea's general 4-year universities. The national average is 62.8%.
- 11-month job retention rate: 89.6%.
- Share of students in 'good jobs' (large companies, mid-sized firms, public agencies, and government): about 49.1%.
- Early admissions competition rate this year: 13.20 to 1, the highest in 12 years.
- Tuition for engineering: about 2.38 million won per semester, roughly half the level of private universities.
How the school trains students
The school's model is called 'practical engineering.' Students spend half their time on theory and half on labs and practice, and labs are open 24 hours. Students in their third and fourth years can work at companies for 4 to 10 months on real projects. Professors must have at least three years of industry experience, and they return to companies every three years to learn new technology.
Why it matters
Korea has fewer young people each year, and many students want to study in Seoul rather than in other regions. A school outside the capital that gets strong job results and cheap tuition may show other universities a new path. The school's push into AI education also shows how colleges may need to change as AI spreads through every industry.
What to watch
- Whether the new AI majors and required AI courses for all first-year students work as planned.
- How the AI learning platform 'K-LXP' is used and whether students find it helpful.
- Whether applications stay high as the number of young people in Korea keeps falling.
Glossary
- KOREATECH
- Korea University of Technology and Education, a national university focused on engineering and job training.
- K-LXP
- An AI-based learning platform built by the school's own professors. It suggests classes and job plans for each student.