President Park’s Next Goal: AI Transformation of Manufacturing in Korea’s Southeastern Industrial Hub

《Editor’s Note: This article is based on an interview with President Chong Rae Park of UNIST, originally published by HelloDD (Daeduck Net) on February 25, 2026, under the title “From Research Excellence to Regional Impact: President Park’s Vision for AI-Driven Transformation of the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam Manufacturing Hub.“》

President Chong Rae Park of UNIST often reflects on his rural upbringing in Gyeongsangnam-do when speaking about the values that shaped his leadership. Although he later studied and worked at Seoul National University, he says his worldview was deeply influenced by his early years in the region. Today, his signature jacket bearing the UNIST logo reflects both personal pride and a broader commitment—to lead a university that not only excels in research but also drives innovation across regional industries.

Since assuming office, President Park has consistently advocated for ‘AI-driven innovation’ as a central strategy for UNIST. l Image Credit: Hello DD

Since assuming office, President Park has consistently emphasized AI-driven innovation as a central strategic direction for UNIST. His vision positions the university as a catalyst that connects cutting-edge academic research with real-world industrial transformation, particularly within South Korea’s manufacturing sector.

In an interview with Daeduck Net, President Park outlined UNIST’s strategy to accelerate the AI-based transformation of the Busan–Ulsan–Gyeongnam (BUG) region—one of Korea’s most significant industrial clusters—while strengthening the university’s role as a driver of regional innovation.

President Park emphasized that research achieves its highest purpose when it transforms the industries and communities around it. “UNIST has already demonstrated global excellence in research,” he said. “The next challenge is ensuring that those discoveries move beyond the laboratory and generate meaningful impact in industry and society.”

Bridging Research and Industry through AI

Since taking office, President Park has emphasized AI-driven innovation as a cornerstone of UNIST’s long-term strategy. Located in Ulsan—Korea’s largest heavy industrial city and home to major automotive, shipbuilding, offshore engineering, and petrochemical industries—the university occupies a unique position within the nation’s industrial ecosystem.

President Park describes this approach as the ‘Tech Bridge‘ strategy, a framework designed to connect academic research capabilities with the practical needs of industry.

“Ulsan possesses tremendous industrial assets through its national industrial complexes,” President Park explained. “By integrating AI technologies tailored to the region’s industrial strengths, we can significantly enhance the competitiveness of local industries.”

UNIST’s research excellence is already widely recognized internationally. In the 2025 CWTS Leiden Ranking, which evaluates the quality of scientific publications, UNIST ranked first among Korean universities for nine consecutive years. Yet, President Park believes the next phase of growth must focus on translating research leadership into broader societal and industrial impact.

UNIST ranked No. 1 nationwide in the ‘2025 Leiden Ranking Traditional Edition,’ marking an unbroken nine-year steak. l Image Credit: CTWS Leiden Ranking

Accelerating AI Adoption in Manufacturing

AI is rapidly reshaping global manufacturing, and UNIST is expanding partnerships with major industry leaders to support this transition.

The university has launched a collaboration with HD Hyundai to develop AI technologies for the shipbuilding and maritime industries. It is also working with the Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) to apply AI technologies that enhance operational intelligence within energy systems. These partnerships aim to integrate advanced AI capabilities into industrial processes, improving efficiency, safety, and productivity.

The MOU signing ceremony between UNIST and HD Hyundai Group took place at the HD Hyundai Global R&D Center (GRC) in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province on November 20, 2025.

To further strengthen collaboration between academia and industry, UNIST established the Ulsan Innovation Forum, a platform designed to bring together scientists, engineers, and industry leaders to explore AI-driven industrial transformation. The inaugural forum was successfully held last year, with a second edition planned for this year.

“Researchers and business leaders must have regular opportunities to meet and collaborate,” President Park noted. “That is how we close the gap between discovery and application.”

The inaugural ‘2025 Future Energy Innovation Forum’ in the Main Administration of UNIST on September 16, 2025.

UNIST’s Tech Bridge strategy also places strong emphasis on supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the regional supply chain. While Ulsan’s industrial ecosystem is built around major global corporations, many similar companies have historically had limited access to advanced research capabilities.

To address this gap, UNIST has opened its research infrastructure to industry partners through open laboratories for collaborative R&D, access to the UNIST Supercomputing Center, and shared use of advanced research equipment and prototyping facilities. Together, these resources provide companies with a one-stop platform for analysis, validation, prototype development, and commercialization.

“In many cases, regional SMEs operate within large supply chains, yet lack their own R&D capacity,” President Park explained. “Our goal is for UNIST to serve as the intellectual engine that supports these companies, helping them adopt advanced technologies and drive innovation.”

Expanding AI-Driven Innovation Across the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam Region

UNIST’s vision extends beyond Ulsan to the broader BUG region, which represents one of Korea’s largest and most strategically important manufacturing clusters.

The university aims to serve as the central hub for AI innovation in the southeastern region of Korea, enabling regional industries to adopt and integrate advanced technologies more rapidly. A key component of this strategy is the UNIST Novatus Graduate School, established in 2025 to provide advanced education for working professionals in emerging technologies. Through this, UNIST offers specialized training designed to help industry professionals apply AI directly within real industrial environments.

“Our goal is to ensure that AI transformation spreads across the region and becomes a practical tool for industry—not merely a concept,” President Park said.

The opening ceremony for the Novatus Graduate School took place at the Pioneers Campus on September 3, 2025.

Beyond Nobel Prizes—Nurturing Pioneer-Driven, Nobel-Caliber Talent

Looking ahead, President Park believes universities must focus not only on academic achievement, but also on cultivating individuals capable of connecting scientific discovery with real-world innovation.

“Rather than simply producing Nobel Prize winners, we must cultivate people like Alfred Nobel—innovators who connect scientific discovery with industry and society,” President Park said.

According to President Park, this requires educational systems that emphasize insight, creativity, and entrepreneurial thinking, preparing students to navigate an era of rapid technological transformation. UNIST is therefore exploring new methods to evaluate teaching effectiveness and ensure that its educational programs equip students with the capabilities needed for the future.

Diagram of the UNIAI system configuration. | Image Credit: IT Strategy Team

UNIST is also advancing its ‘AI-Powered Campus‘ initiative by applying AI technologies within its own institutional operations. In November 2025, UNIST launched UNIAI, Korea’s first generative-AI platform developed internally. The system provides chatbot-based assistance that helps students, faculty, and staff navigate complex campus regulations and administrative processes. Earlier AI initiatives have already delivered measurable efficiency gains. For example, AI-assisted processes reduce the review time for technology-transfer contracts from one month to a single day.

“Universities must lead by example,” President Park said. “By embedding AI in our own operations and education, we can drive broader innovation in both academia and industry.”