SEOUL, December 09 (AJP) - Kookmin University said Tuesday it has been selected for the government's "Specialized Graduate School in Environmental Fields" initiative in the area of biological materials, a program overseen by the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment and supported by the Korea Environmental Industry and Technology Institute.
The project will run for five years from 2025 to 2030 with a total budget of 6.2 billion won. Professor Park Yong-cheol of the Department of Bio-Fermentation and Convergence is leading the program.
The ministry designed the initiative to advance sustainable green technologies based on bio-derived materials and to strengthen South Korea's competitiveness in securing biological resources amid intensifying global competition following the Paris Agreement and the Nagoya Protocol. It also aims to cultivate a new talent pool and build an industrial ecosystem in the eco-friendly biological materials sector.
With the new designation, Kookmin University will launch and operate the "Eco-Biomaterials Convergence Graduate Program," which will train students in both development and production technologies. The school plans to open 114 courses, including new modules dedicated to biomaterials development and manufacturing, and offer industry-linked programs such as the PBR-MAX track, on-site internships and global seminars to strengthen practical competencies.
Kookmin University will also build a research platform that integrates AI, data science and synthetic biology for eco-biomaterials, while expanding its global collaboration network in the sector. The university said the initiative is expected to enhance connectivity between education, research and industry while contributing to new green-technology industries and broader industrial competitiveness.
Kookmin University previously operated a specialized graduate program in green convergence technologies after being selected for an earlier round of the initiative in 2020. Its Department of Bio-Fermentation and Convergence — the only one of its kind in South Korea — has partnered with 19 companies in food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and environmental materials to offer joint projects, internships and on-site training. The university said this track record helped secure the latest selection. The department will be renamed the Department of Convergence Bioengineering beginning in the 2026 academic year to reflect its integration of biotechnology and AI.
"This selection is an important milestone that demonstrates Kookmin University's strength in ESG fields, a key pillar of the KMU Vision 2035: EDGE agenda," Kookmin University President Chung Seung-ryeol said in a statement. "We will continue working to become a hub for interdisciplinary and industry-ready talent in green technology."
Professor Park said the university will "further expand the environmental and industrial value of biological materials" and strengthen its ability to train globally competitive talent, calling the new program a significant step in advancing Kookmin University's practical education model.
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
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