Gachon University announced Thursday that it has been selected for the "2026 AI-Centered University Support Program" unveiled by the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT).
The AI-Centered University program is a government initiative aimed at cultivating AI specialists and AX (AI Transformation) convergence talent as part of Korea's push to become one of the world's top three AI powers (G3). Of the 10 universities participating in the program this year, MSIT selected seven — Gachon University, Korea University, Sogang University, Sungkyunkwan University, Soonchunhyang University, Soongsil University, and Yonsei University.
Under the selection, Gachon University will receive up to 24 billion won ($17.5 million) in support over eight years through 2033, with approximately 3 billion won provided annually. The funding will be used to strengthen AI talent development across education, research, industry-academia cooperation, and entrepreneurship.
To bolster its AI competitiveness, the university plans to recruit 150 faculty members in the AI and AX fields and completely restructure its education system around AI.
Gachon University received high marks from MSIT for organically linking its mid- to long-term development plan with regional strategic industries. Specifically, the university was recognized for its education and research strategies tied to specialized fields such as Physical AI, AI security, and administrative services; its execution capabilities based on an implementation system directly under the president; and the performance of its curriculum and project operations, which reflect industry demand. Its AI major-intensive convergence track, "GAIBT (Gachon AI Bridge-Track)," was also acknowledged for its systematic structure and scalability.
Gachon University opened the door to digital education innovation in 2002 by establishing Korea's first software college (now the IT Convergence College). In 2020, it became the first in Korea to establish an undergraduate Department of Artificial Intelligence, formally entering AI education.
Notable achievements to date include making software education mandatory for all students (2020), establishing the AI Humanities College (2024), launching the Gachon AI and Computing Institute (GAIC) in 2025, and being selected for the Ministry of Education's "AI Advanced Industry Talent Development Bootcamp" program (2026).
"Gachon University has continued to innovate education by expanding AI as a core foundation that connects all academic disciplines and industries," said Lee Gil-ya, president of Gachon University. "Through this AI-Centered University program, we will complete the 'AX-GACHON' model in which education, research, industry, and entrepreneurship are organically connected, and serve as a foundation for the government's leap into becoming one of the world's top three AI powers."
