Kwangwoon University and Kakao Pay to nurture early AI and robotics talent among teenagers in Pangyo

[Financial News] Kwangwoon University has joined forces with companies and the local community to train teenagers in practical artificial intelligence and robotics at its Pangyo Campus. The initiative combines the university’s advanced technology infrastructure with corporate social contribution funds to help young people explore future careers and reduce the digital education gap.
Kwangwoon University said on the 27th that it held the "2026 Kwangwoon University AI·Robot Dream Up Camp" on the 22nd at its Pangyo Campus in Seongnam City, Gyeonggi Province, with 45 elementary, middle, and high school students participating. The event was co-sponsored by Kwangwoon University’s University Innovation Project Team and Kakao Pay, and was carried out using corporate IT education support funds.
The camp went beyond simple, lecture-style coding lessons. Instead, it was designed as an experiential, hands-on curriculum in which algorithms written by the students were implemented on real hardware. University students from Kwangwoon University’s software volunteer club, Sowon, served as mentors and provided instruction tailored to the students’ level.
Participants took part in age-specific programs. Elementary school students learned how AI works using Artibo, an AI robot equipped with face, voice, and object recognition technologies. Middle school students built autonomous cars combining Arduino and sensors, gaining hands-on experience with electronic circuits and control technology.
In the advanced course for high school students, they practiced automation by controlling the joints and gripper of a 4-axis smart robot arm used in industrial settings. They also took part in a Drone AI + Computer Vision exercise, coding object-tracking algorithms in Python to control autonomous flight.
The camp was organized as part of Seamless KW, Kwangwoon University’s platform for coexistence with the local community. The university opened its campus infrastructure in Pangyo Techno Valley to the public, expanding participation beyond schools under Kwangwoon Academy, including Kwangwoon Elementary School, Kwangwoon Middle School, Namdaemun Middle School, and Kwangwoon High School for AI, to students from Naksaeng Elementary School, Neulpureun Middle School, Unjung High School, and Pangyo High School in Seongnam.
At the event, Kwangwoon Academy Chairwoman Cho Seon-young, Kwangwoon University President Yoon Do-yeong, Vice President for External Affairs Jeong Seok-jae, and Don Lee, the mayor of Chungju, who is promoting the creation of a future advanced-industry city, attended and encouraged the students.
One student who joined the camp said, "Seeing how coding commands that once felt abstract were connected to the actual movements of drones and robots made me deeply interested in future science and technology."
President Yoon said, "I hope this became an opportunity for students to work directly with future technologies and recognize the potential of AI and robotics." He added, "We will continue to expand the university’s educational and research capabilities into open spaces and create more opportunities to cultivate core talent in future science and technology."
Mayor Don Lee of Chungju said, "The key driving force of the future era is AI and robotics technology." He added, "We will actively work to prepare practical support measures so that young people can grow into leaders of future advanced industries."
Meanwhile, Kwangwoon University plans to continue sharing its advanced robotics and AI education capabilities with the local community. It also aims to broaden the stage for nurturing future robotics talent by hosting the global youth robotics competition, the "Robofest 2027 World Championship Seoul," in May 2027.

[email protected] Kim Man-gi Reporter