Dong-A University Selected for South Korea’s AI-Centered University Program
Dong-A University was selected for South Korea’s AI-Centered University program, backed by 25.2 billion won over 8 years, Busan officials said September 30.
Photo by Yan Krukau on Pexels
Dong-A University in Busan was selected for South Korea’s 2026 AI-Centered University program, the Busan Metropolitan Government announced September 30, 2026, Newspim reported. The program, run by the Ministry of Science and ICT, will bring 25.2 billion won in combined funding to the university over eight years, from 2026 to 2033, to convert its software college into a dedicated AI college and build new industry-linked AI programs.
How South Korea’s AI-centered university funding breaks down
Of the 25.2 billion won total, 21.2 billion won comes from the central government through the Ministry of Science and ICT, with the remaining 4 billion won contributed by Busan city and private-sector partners, according to Newspim and Gukje News. The AI-Centered University program is a national competitive initiative, meaning Dong-A University’s selection followed a proposal process against other institutions, Busan officials said.
The university will restructure its College of Software into a College of Artificial Intelligence and create a new College of AI Transformation (AX) Convergence, alongside graduate-level AI convergence programs, Gukje News and Newspim reported. A foundational training track called “Everyone’s AI” will give all students basic AI instruction regardless of major, while the restructured colleges will produce specialized AI graduates aimed at three regional industrial sectors: manufacturing and energy, human care, and maritime, port and shipbuilding industries.
| Dong-A University AI-Centered University program, announced September 30, 2026 | Figure |
|---|---|
| Total funding | 25.2 billion won |
| Central government (Ministry of Science and ICT) | 21.2 billion won |
| Busan city and private sector | 4 billion won |
| Programme duration | 8 years (2026-2033) |
| Target industrial sectors | Manufacturing/energy, human care, maritime/port/shipbuilding |
Why Busan is targeting industrial AI, not just AI graduates
Busan officials framed the selection as a way to anchor AI talent in the region’s existing industries rather than training graduates who leave for other cities, Newspim reported. The university plans practical demonstration projects at regional industrial sites during the program, expanding industry-academic partnerships and linking coursework directly to local employment and entrepreneurship, according to Gukje News. South Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT has run the AI-centered university competition as a national program, with institutions proposing how they would apply AI training to regional industrial needs rather than general computer science curricula.
The initiative follows broader university moves on AI education: the National University of Singapore made an AI literacy course compulsory for all first-year students, while other reporting has found faculty AI training gaps persist at many universities even as institutions add AI coursework for students. Dong-A University’s approach differs by restructuring entire colleges around AI rather than adding standalone courses, and by tying the funding explicitly to three named regional industries.
About Dong-A University
Dong-A University is a private university based in Busan, South Korea, offering undergraduate and graduate programs across sciences, engineering, medicine and the humanities. The university is one of several institutions participating in the Busan RISE project, a municipal industry-academia collaboration initiative involving multiple Busan-area universities. With its selection for the Ministry of Science and ICT’s 2026 AI-Centered University program, announced September 30, 2026, Dong-A University now moves to restructure its software college into a dedicated College of Artificial Intelligence, positioning itself as a regional supplier of industrial AI talent for Busan’s manufacturing, health care and maritime sectors through 2033.
Sources: Newspim; Gukje News; Seoul Economic Daily
Featured image: photo by Yan Krukau on Pexels (free Pexels license).
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I specialize in sustainability education, curriculum co-creation, and early-stage project strategy. At WINSS, I craft articles on sustainability, transformative AI, and related topics. When I’m not writing, you’ll find me chasing the perfect sushi roll, exploring cities around the globe, or unwinding with my dog Puffy — the world’s most loyal sidekick.
