Jeonbuk National University builds physical AI lab to keep talent from leaving for Seoul

Jeonbuk National University is trying to reverse a pattern that has long defined regional higher education in Korea: training talented students who leave for the capital. The university in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province, is positioning itself as a regional innovation hub, banking on physical artificial intelligence (AI), future mobility and industry-academia collaboration to attract talent, researchers and businesses into the region rather than losing them to opportunities in the capital. University President Yang O-bong said the effort reflects the government's initiative to strengthen regional flagship universities — commonly known as the "making 10 Seoul National Universities" plan. Under this plan, the Ministry of Education will select three universities in the second half of this year and provide each with 100 billion won ($66.5 million) annually for five years. Yang argued the program should be seen as more than just another higher education funding — it is a national strategy for balanced regional development, anchored by globally competitive universities. “Regional universitWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times