On May 15, in celebration of Teachers’ Day in Korea, Professor Chiehyeon Lim of the Department of Industrial Engineering and Professor Kyungho Lee of the Department of Design at UNIST were honored with commendations from the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education.
This recognition was notably supported by the recommendation of Seonuk Kim, a student from the Department of Industrial Engineering. Both professors received the award in recognition of their significant contributions to advancing industry-focused, practical education.
Professor Chiehyeon Lim has led the Graduate School of Artificial Intelligence in fostering creative autonomous projects, providing students with hands-on research experiences in AI applications. Over the years, he has mentored students participating in prestigious competitions such as the UNIST–KAIST–POSTECH Data Science Challenge, achieving commendable results. His efforts exemplify a virtuous cycle of education and practical application within a research-intensive university, serving as a model for industry-realistic education.
Professor Chiehyeon Lim (far right, front row) is recognized for his exemplary efforts in delivering industry-driven practical education.
Professor Lim emphasizes equipping students with knowledge and skills that are directly applicable in the field. He has also strengthened industry ties by assisting students with patent documentation and technology commercialization strategies at campus patent universiade competitions.
Commenting on the award, Professor Lim said, “Receiving the Teachers’ Day commendation fills me with gratitude and a sense of responsibility as an educator. Watching students grow is my greatest joy.” He added, “It’s important to help students develop problem definition and resolution skills as independent researchers, and I take pride in providing personalized education at UNIST.”
Professor Kyungho Lee’s leadership and mentorship have also been widely recognized. Under his guidance, Seonwook Kim published two first-author papers at domestic academic conferences and one at an international conference, subsequently securing employment at an AI content startup.
Professor Lee’s work spans research, education, and industry, creating future value for students. He led the development of creative tools that leverage AI to preserve creators’ originality while addressing the labor-intensive nature of manga production. Additionally, he dedicated efforts to provide tailored career counseling for students facing uncertainty, drawing upon his experience with global IT companies and entrepreneurship.
Professor Kyungho Lee fosters student success through education that integrates research and industry.
Expressing his gratitude, Professor Lee stated, “I am honored to receive this award just six years after joining UNIST. I will use this as an opportunity to reaffirm my original motivation.” He continued, “In the AI era, pioneering the generation of innovative ideas from an interdisciplinary perspective, unafraid of failure, is crucial. I will support education and mentorship tailored to students’ needs to nurture future leaders recognized in academia and industry.”
A common trait shared by both awardees is their respect for students’ dreams and interests. Their dedicated, student-centered approach to education is expected to further enhance the competitiveness of UNIST graduates.
