UNIST and Pukyong National University (PKNU) have announced a strategic partnership aimed at spearheading advancements in the maritime and fisheries sectors. On August 18, representatives from both institutions signed a memorandum of understanding at the Dayeon Campus of PNKU to establish the “Marine and Fisheries AI Convergence Research Center,” a groundbreaking initiative to foster innovation and collaboration in the region.
The signing ceremony was attended by UNIST President Chong Rae Park, PKNU President Sang-Hoon Bae, along with senior leaders from both institutions’ research and planning divisions. The event highlighted a shared vision to strengthen joint research efforts, develop specialized talent, and facilitate technology exchange in the maritime domain.
According to the agreement, the two universities will collaborate on establishing and managing the new research center, jointly implement training programs for emerging experts, co-develop and secure funding for research projects at the national and international levels, and organize forums focused on AI applications in maritime industries. This initiative aims to build a robust ecosystem of industry-academia-research cooperation, leveraging innovative AI technologies to drive regional maritime industry growth and establish the area as a hub for future-oriented marine technology development.
The core of this partnership is the construction of the Marine and Fisheries AI Convergence Research Center, located within the PNKU campus. Serving as a regional hub, the center will focus on advancing research and industrial innovation in Korea’s southeastern region, particularly around Busan.
The scope of research covers a wide array of sectors, including smart aquaculture, fisheries resource management, marine environmental monitoring, resource exploration, marine robotics, and sustainable energy solutions like hydrogen and carbon neutrality. The initiative also targets policy areas, such as Arctic navigation and maritime finance, aiming to accelerate tangible industry transformation through cutting-edge scientific inquiry.
The development of the center will proceed in phases. The initial stage will focus on laying the research groundwork, developing joint projects, and establishing educational programs to cultivate specialized professionals. The second phase will bolster policy-focused research and attract large-scale collaborative projects to create a demonstration network for practical applications. Ultimately, the third phase aims to form international partnerships with leading research institutions in North America and Europe, expanding global collaboration and joint research efforts.
UNIST President Chong Rae Park and Pukyong National University President Sang-Hoon Bae took a commemorative photo after the signing of the MOU ceremony.
President Chong Rae Park emphasized the importance of the collaboration, stating, “This marks a significant step toward establishing the southeastern region of Korea as a global leader in marine innovation,” and added, “By integrating AI and advanced technologies into practical research, we aim to elevate our national maritime competitiveness.”
Looking ahead, UNIST and PKNU plan to broaden their partnership through joint forums and expanded international research networks, with the ultimate goal of creating a thriving maritime industry cluster and positioning the region as a global center for marine AI research and development.
