Some argue that excessive flow of capital into universities may undermine the traditional role of universities as a platform to raise critical minds. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Apr. 26 (Korea Bizwire) — Yonsei University plans to open up a new Department of System Semiconductor Engineering in 2021 that will offer graduates the guarantee of a job at Samsung Electronics Co.
The university and Samsung agreed early this week to create the new department and have notified the Ministry of Education. The first batch of students will be selected next year.
The new department is a ‘contractual department’ that involves a university to engage in a contractual relationship with a company for its creation.
The department trains its students based on a curriculum tailored to meet the company’s interest. In return, the company ensures 100 percent employment of all department graduates.
Yonsei University’s Department of System Semiconductor Engineering will accept 50 students per class. Students will be provided with scholarships from Samsung, which will also hire them when they graduate.
Yonsei and Samsung, while starting out with an undergraduate program, plan to eventually create a special program that will issue both bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
SK hynix Inc., and other semiconductor manufacturers are teaming up with Seoul National University, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), and other universities to create contractual departments similar to the one at Yonsei.
For companies, contractual departments benefit them by training experts and professionals who are suited to their needs.
Since a shortage of experts is one of the biggest problems faced by the semiconductor industry, manufacturers are eager to install contractual departments at universities to tackle the problem.
Some critics, however, are concerned that such practices may turn universities into ‘job training schools.’
Some argue that excessive flow of capital into universities may undermine the traditional role of universities as a platform to raise critical minds.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
