Kookmin University has launched the KMU AX Innovation Alliance, a new industry-academia partnership initiative aimed at strengthening collaboration with artificial intelligence (AI) and software companies.

The university held a ceremony on its campus in northern Seoul on Friday to officially launch the alliance. The event was attended by senior university officials and professors, including Sohn Jin-sik, vice president for planning and general director of the Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation, and Hwang Sun-tae, dean of the College of Computer Science.

Representatives from a broad range of AI and software companies participated in the ceremony, including KT, NHN Cloud, Tmax-Tibero, Innogrid, Lemong, Hancominnostream, Maum.AI, Xytron, m2Cloud, and Jin Infra. The mix of participants spans telecommunications, cloud infrastructure, enterprise software, and conversational AI — sectors at the center of South Korea's push to expand its domestic AI ecosystem and address a widely reported shortage of AI-trained graduates.

During the event, participants discussed strategies to deepen industry-academia collaboration through joint research projects, joint academic programs, on-site training, internships, and employment opportunities. They also explored the formation of a company consortium designed to cultivate AI and software professionals aligned with current industry demands.

Kookmin University stated that the alliance will serve as a platform to connect the technological capabilities and industry needs of participating companies with the university's education, research, and cooperation programs. The university plans to collaborate across multiple fields, including cloud and AI infrastructure, generative AI and AI agents, data, enterprise software, and cybersecurity. The goal is to create a virtuous cycle linking education, projects, and research with hands-on training and employment.

The initiative aligns with Kookmin University's broader institutional strategy. Marking its 80th anniversary, the university is pursuing a transformation guided by its vision of "A University That Sets the Standard for Higher Education" and the slogan "Make the Rule, Break the Rule." The institution has developed a mid- to long-term development strategy known as KMU VISION 2035: EDGE, with EDGE standing for entrepreneurship, digital transformation, global competency, and ESG (environmental, social, and corporate governance). Under this framework, the university has identified eight specialized focus areas to strengthen its competitiveness.

A university official stated that the alliance launch will reinforce the foundation for industry-academia collaboration as the university advances its position as an AI-focused institution, with particular emphasis on "AI+X," one of the eight designated specialized areas. The "AI+X" concept reflects a broader trend among South Korean universities of embedding AI across disciplines rather than treating it as a standalone field.

The official added that Kookmin University and the participating companies will hold follow-up working-level discussions to identify challenges facing the industry and pursue joint projects in education, technology development, and talent cultivation.

Source: The Korea Times