Gyeongnam Information University is achieving success in various areas, including professional certification by major, international student exchange, and local entrepreneurship education.
Students in the Global K-Beauty Department have all passed the nail technician instructor certification exam, while international students won the inaugural soccer tournament for specialized colleges in the Busan area. The AI Entrepreneurship Department is supporting aspiring entrepreneurs through a forum that shares the field experiences of local entrepreneurs and investment experts.
On November 2, Gyeongnam Information University announced that all 21 students in the Nail Art major of the Global K-Beauty Department have obtained their instructor certification from the Korea Hand Art Styling Association.
This includes first-year students who enrolled this year. All 21 students who took the certification exam, which requires a certain level of expertise and practical skills, successfully passed, which the university attributes to its curriculum that integrates major education with practical training.
The instructor certification requires candidates to meet specific criteria, including relevant certifications or practical experience. Those obtaining a Level 1 certification must have at least one year of practical experience in the same field or complete over 300 hours of training at an accredited institution.
Level 2 certification holders need at least six years of experience in the same field. Candidates with equivalent qualifications from overseas or those holding national beauty licenses equivalent to Level 1 are also eligible to apply.
Professor Park Se-hee, who teaches the Nail Art major, expressed gratitude to the students, saying, "I appreciate the students who prepared together from the first year to graduation. We will continue to strengthen students' practical skills by linking field-centered education with professional certification and strive to cultivate professionals who will lead the beauty industry."
Amid these academic achievements, international students have also celebrated a victory in sports. The Gyeongnam Information University international student soccer team won the inaugural Busan Regional Specialized College International Student Soccer Tournament held on October 29 at Busan Health College.
The tournament featured international students from five specialized colleges in the Busan area, with the winning team determined by total goals scored rather than traditional points. The Gyeongnam Information University team scored the most goals overall.
The team, composed of 15 international students, first faced a combined team from Busan Health College and Busan Women's University, winning 8-0. They then lost 1-2 to Busan Science and Technology University but secured a 1-0 victory against Dong-eui University in their final match, totaling 10 goals across three games.
Notably, Pham Van Hiep, a student from the Electric Hydrogen Vehicle Department, scored five goals, contributing half of the team's total.
The university's international student cheering squad also supported the team. Participants not only competed but also cheered for each other, fostering camaraderie among students studying in Busan.
Pham Van Hiep expressed his joy at winning the tournament, stating, "I am happy to win the inaugural tournament, and I hope there will be more events for international students in Busan to gather and socialize."
In addition to enhancing students' major competencies and facilitating international exchanges, Gyeongnam Information University is also conducting entrepreneurship education linked to the local community. The AI Entrepreneurship Department organized the "1st KIT Startup Forum: Finding Answers to Entrepreneurship Locally" to develop local resources into business ideas and share necessary experiences for actual startups.
This forum, part of the specialized college innovation support program, features a series of three relay lectures covering essential topics in the startup process, including branding, operating a one-person business, and attracting investment.
The first lecture, held on October 24, attracted over 40 attendees who explored growth strategies for locally-based brands.
The first speaker, Hong Jeong-hoon, co-representative of the branding firm OAR Studio, presented on "Local Branding Strategies for Surviving in Busan," showcasing examples of brand building that connect spatial design, service, and marketing.
Hong emphasized the importance of understanding the consumer experience in a space rather than focusing solely on its physical design. He also discussed ways to differentiate brands using local characteristics and content.
The university's schedule included a lecture by Bang Se-yoon, representative of Yeohyeonbangga, on October 31, which focused on the commercialization of traditional foods and expanding market access.
On November 7 at 1 p.m., Park Jun-sang, representative of Series Ventures, will be the final speaker, discussing "The Growth Ecosystem of Entrepreneurial Small Businesses and Investment Attraction Strategies," including how to prepare investment proposals.
An Seong-woo, head of the AI Entrepreneurship Department, stated, "I hope this will be an opportunity for Busan citizens interested in entrepreneurship to view familiar spaces and our local values from a new perspective. I expect them to encounter real startup experiences and growth strategies and take the first step toward entrepreneurship with their own ideas."
The final lecture will be held in Room 402 of the IT Building at Gyeongnam Information University, and all citizens interested in entrepreneurship are welcome to participate for free. Registration is available through the online application page.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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