A consortium of Songwon University, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) and the Gwangju Industry-Academia Convergence Institute announced Thursday that it successfully completed a six-day global study tour from June 26 to July 1.
The consortium conducted the overseas program as part of a regional talent development initiative known as the Anchor project, formerly called the Regional Innovation-Centered University Support System, or RISE.
The tour brought together a delegation of 34 participants — 20 Songwon University students in five teams, four corporate executive (JA) faculty members, four GIST students, four GIST researchers and two officials from the Gwangju Industry-Academia Convergence Institute.
The program was designed to give participants firsthand exposure to Singapore's world-class IT infrastructure and AI ecosystem, as the city-state has rapidly emerged as a global hub for the artificial intelligence industry. The goal was to draw insights applicable to regional industries back home.
The delegation visited four leading global companies in AI and robotics based in Singapore, including Amazon Web Services. During sessions with local experts, participants explored the latest AI technology trends, cloud-based business models, and real-world applications of autonomous driving and robotics, broadening their global perspective.
Organizers said the tour was particularly meaningful because it went beyond simple observation — bringing together university students, researchers and JA faculty to collaborate on the ground and explore avenues for global technology exchange across industry, academia and research.
Kim Ho-yeon, a professor serving as head of planning and director of the Anchor project at Songwon University, said it was "deeply meaningful" for industry, academia and research to experience together the innovative technologies of top global companies and Singapore's advanced AI ecosystem. "We will do our utmost to maximize the outcomes of the Anchor regional talent development project and nurture the core talent that will drive the growth of Gwangju's AI industry, drawing on our expanded global network and insights," Kim said.
sij@heraldcorp.com
