Daejeon Metropolitan City and Hanbat National University are jointly charting the future of South Korea's semiconductor industry. The city is joining forces with Hanbat National University to accelerate innovation in the semiconductor sector, a strategic industry for the region. Key collaborative initiatives include fostering defense and aerospace convergence semiconductors and supporting the establishment of the nano and semiconductor national industrial complex. This agreement is expected to spur the creation of a semiconductor innovation ecosystem through nurturing regional talent and building international cooperation networks.

Daejeon City and Hanbat National University signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on April 21st at the City Hall reception room to build an innovative semiconductor ecosystem in Daejeon. The signing ceremony was attended by Daejeon Mayor Lee Jang-woo, Hanbat National University President Oh Yong-jun, and other officials.

The main points of the agreement include: ▲ Supporting defense and aerospace convergence semiconductor companies, a key focus for both Daejeon City and Hanbat University ▲ Cooperative efforts related to the nano and semiconductor national industrial complex being developed in the Gyochon-dong area ▲ Providing and utilizing land for the construction of a public fab, including a public cleanroom, to support joint industry-academia-research collaboration ▲ Cooperation in building semiconductor education and research infrastructure ▲ Nurturing highly skilled practical talent for regional settlement and specialized talent tailored to Daejeon's strategic industries ▲ Supporting the establishment of international cooperation networks in Daejeon's strategic industrial sectors.

Hanbat University has been selected as a 'Leading University for Early Employment Contractual Departments' since 2023, jointly cultivating specialized talent with local semiconductor companies. In July of last year, it was designated as a 'Specialized Semiconductor University' and operates a semiconductor packaging process education course. Furthermore, the university is expanding international cooperation centered on strategic industries such as semiconductors and defense, having signed MOUs for joint research and talent development with the University of Malaga in Spain and National Kaohsiung University in Taiwan.

To lay the groundwork for local companies and universities to conduct joint research and train specialized personnel, Daejeon City plans to break ground on a cleanroom of approximately 330 square meters (100 pyeong) next to the Hanbat University Regional Cooperation Center in the first half of this year, with completion expected within the year. The city is also considering establishing a defense-specialized compound semiconductor public fab on the Hanbat University campus to build the ecosystem for the nano and semiconductor national industrial complex being 조성되는 near the university.

Hanbat National University President Oh Yong-jun expressed his gratitude to Daejeon City for supporting the international collaborations with the University of Malaga and National Kaohsiung University. He stated, "We will do our best to contribute not only to nurturing talent needed by local companies but also to the development of Daejeon's strategic industries, including semiconductors."

Daejeon Mayor Lee Jang-woo commented, "Hanbat University, specialized in the semiconductor field, serves as a successful model of a regionally focused national university based on industry-academia cooperation, contributing to the development of the local community. We expect Hanbat University to play a pivotal role in making the adjacent nano and semiconductor national industrial complex the center of Daejeon's semiconductor innovation ecosystem."

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