Busan and Gyeongnam sign MOU with Hanwha to foster regional talent

Busan Metropolitan City, Gyeongsangnam-do, several national universities, and three Hanwha affiliates—Hanwha Aerospace, Hanwha Ocean, and Hanwha Engine—have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to foster regional talent and facilitate employment in the Southeast region of South Korea.

The agreement aims to connect the region's core industries, such as aerospace, defense, and shipbuilding, with local talent. Key initiatives include the establishment of undergraduate contract departments at Pusan National University by 2028, the implementation of contract quota systems for master's level talent at Gyeongsang National University and Changwon National University, and expanded joint R&D and technical exchanges.

This collaboration marks a significant step for the ‘Southeast Growth Engine Industry-Academic Alliance,’ seeking to create a unified industrial and educational ecosystem that transcends administrative boundaries. Busan Mayor Jeon Jae-su noted that the initiative serves as a catalyst to build a strong growth axis in the Southeast to counter the concentration of resources in the Seoul metropolitan area.