The Ministry of Education will pursue various regulatory improvements in higher education to cultivate the talent needed for the so-called "three mega projects," which include semiconductors, physical artificial intelligence (AI), and AI data centers.
The ministry said on the 9th that it will introduce a "regional contract quota system" and a "fast-track talent program" to sufficiently supply talent in related fields demanded by industry.
First, through the regional contract quota system, regional universities will be able to recruit students beyond their fixed enrollment quotas, based on agreements with companies and in proportion to the surplus workforce that companies need. In addition, the ministry plans to introduce a fast-track talent program to help regional universities cultivate relevant talent within two years through major transfers and transfer admissions outside the quota. The ministry plans to newly introduce these systems after gathering opinions from universities by the end of this year and revising related laws and regulations.
The ministry has so far supported universities in expanding enrollment quotas by more than 7,100 students from the 2021 to the 2027 academic year in the AI, semiconductor, and software and communications fields related to the three mega projects. In particular, in fields connected to the three mega projects such as machinery and metals, materials, electrical and electronics, and computers and communications, about 94,000 graduates are produced each year, ranging from associate-degree-level practical workers to master's- and doctoral-level advanced talent.
"The Ministry of Education is striving to provide students with excellent curricula based on industry demand through measures such as flexible enrollment quota systems in advanced fields, contract departments, and advanced industry talent development boot camps," Vice Minister of Education Choi Eun-ok said. "By quickly cultivating the talent that companies need without shortages, we will actively support the national balanced growth strategy."
