Samsung Heavy Industries, Seoul National University Join Forces to Establish Global Cooperation Center for Future Ship Technology

[Financial News] Samsung Heavy Industries is joining forces with Seoul National University on mid- to long-term research and development (R&D) cooperation in future shipbuilding and maritime technologies, as well as the development of global talent.
Samsung Heavy Industries announced on the 3rd that it signed an agreement with the College of Engineering at Seoul National University on the 2nd at the university’s Gwanak Campus to establish the SHI-SNU Global Cooperation Research Center for Future Ship Technology. The signing ceremony was attended by Choi Sung-an, vice chairman and CEO of Samsung Heavy Industries, Kim Young-Oh, dean of the College of Engineering at Seoul National University, and officials from the Samsung Heavy Industries Shipbuilding and Offshore Research Institute and the Department of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering, Seoul National University.
Industry-academia cooperation between Samsung Heavy Industries and Seoul National University began in 2016. Over the past decade or so, the two sides have continued joint technology development and personnel exchanges in shipbuilding and maritime fields. Their cooperation has covered the broader shipbuilding and maritime industries, including production efficiency improvements through production data analysis, eco-friendly fuels, automation and nuclear power.
With the establishment of the research center, the two sides will expand their industry-academia cooperation into global R&D and talent development. Key areas of cooperation include the convergence of shipbuilding, maritime and energy technologies; global networking and joint research; and the development of outstanding researchers through industry-academia education programs.
In particular, the two sides plan to combine core shipbuilding and maritime technologies with energy technologies to address decarbonization and next-generation fuel technologies, while pursuing mid- to long-term research projects aimed at creating future markets.
Samsung Heavy Industries has also recently been expanding industry-academia cooperation with major universities in South Korea. After opening the SHI-KAIST Advanced Maritime Research Center with KAIST last month, the company broadened its industry-academia cooperation network by moving to establish an additional research center with Seoul National University.
The two research centers will operate in a complementary manner, with distinct research focuses. The KAIST center will concentrate on developing artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics technologies to secure manufacturing competitiveness in the era of physical AI. The Seoul National University center will conduct mid- to long-term research centered on core shipbuilding and maritime technologies, including eco-friendly and decarbonization technologies and next-generation fuels.
Choi Sung-an, vice chairman and CEO of Samsung Heavy Industries, said, "Seoul National University’s outstanding research capabilities and talent have made significant contributions not only to Samsung Heavy Industries but also to strengthening the competitiveness of South Korea’s shipbuilding and maritime industries. We will continue our cooperation and develop it into a successful industry-academia collaboration model."
[email protected] Jung Won-il Reporter