SK C&C, Yonsei Univ. to develop digital manufacturing experts

South Korea's digital solutions provider SK C&C will open a master’s degree program at Yonsei University in Seoul to develop experts in digital manufacturing given rising demand for such personnel in SK Group's main sectors like semiconductors, secondary batteries, bio, energy and materials.

SK C&C President Yoon Poong-young on Wednesday signed the agreement with Yonsei President Suh Seoung-hwan on the program, which will lead digital innovation in manufacturing.

The degree is affiliated with Yonsei's College of Engineering and its curriculum is structured around manufacturing based on artificial intelligence (AI), big data and logistics automation. Professors from departments such as mechanical and chemical engineering, biotechnology, AI, and industrial and electrical engineering will give lectures and create the curriculum.

To start in January, the program will recruit its inaugural class by identifying employee needs at about 200 affiliates of SK Group. This one-year full-time course is a type of deployment for training, with 100% of staff salaries guaranteed over the period. After finishing the coursework, students will work at a company while writing their theses.

“Amid the period of upheaval in global supply chains, the group's need to raise its digital manufacturing competitiveness in key fields such as semiconductors and batteries has increased,” said President Yoon, who led the program's launch. "We will join forces with Yonsei University to foster customized talent."

Write to Jin-Won Kim at jin1@hankyung.com