Kwangwoon University President Yun Do-young: “We will focus on cultivating physical AI talent tailored to industry needs”

[Financial News] “Kwangwoon University will designate artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics as its flagship areas of specialization and, under the vision of ‘an AI and robotics university that nurtures people, and Kwangwoon Robotics advancing onto the world stage,’ focus on cultivating physical AI talent tailored to industrial needs.”
Kwangwoon University President Yun Do-young made the remarks at the launch ceremony for the ‘Kwangwoon AI and Robotics Future Education Vision,’ held on the 29th at the circular plaza at Kwangwoon Square in Nowon District, Seoul. He added, “We will successfully host the 2027 RoboFest World Championship at Kwangwoon University in Korea—the first time in 28 years that the event has been held outside the United States—and make northeastern Seoul a global hub for AI and robotics innovation.”
About 400 people attended the event, including political and government figures, university presidents, industry, academic and research representatives, local residents, and students. President Yun said the university plans to establish majors in humanoid and mobile robotics to develop physical AI talent in collaboration with industry, and to build a robotics laboratory on campus with the Seoul Metropolitan Government. He also presented a plan for 27 partner companies to participate directly in everything from curriculum design to teaching, enabling students to learn the full process of designing, building, testing, and applying robots in industrial settings. The university aims to produce 260 specialized graduates each year starting in 2028.
In a report on the preparations, organizing committee chair Jeong Seok-jae said, “RoboFest is a world-class competition based on 100% autonomous driving, where competitors prevail through their ability to think rather than knowledge they have memorized.” He explained, “Kwangwoon University was ultimately selected in the first competition to choose an overseas host in 28 years.” He continued, “The U.S. secretariat officially approved the plan for a campus belt connecting Kwangwoon University and the elementary, middle, and high schools under Kwangwoon Academy into a single competition venue.” He added, “Over four days starting May 28, 2027, delegations totaling around 10,000 people from some 60 countries will gather, and campuses in northeastern Seoul will become the world capital of robotics education.”
During the first part of the main ceremony, ‘DEUX,’ a dual-arm robot developed by XYZ, a company founded by Kwangwoon University alumni, took the stage, hugged President Yun, and delivered the vision proclamation in an advanced robotic performance. In congratulatory remarks, National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik, lawmakers Kim Yong-tae and Kim Nam-jun, Nowon District Office chief Seo Jun-oh, and Superintendent of the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education Geun-sik Chung congratulated the university on its plans to successfully host the competition and its future education vision, pledging their active support and cooperation.
Meanwhile, the second part of the event featured a youth robotics autonomous-driving demonstration, a special lecture by Henk Rogers, the real-life figure behind the film ‘Tetris,’ a VR drawing performance by artist Yeom Dong-gyun, and an AI and robotics talk concert with YouTuber Jo Coding. The program turned the area around Kwangwoon Square into a festival where visitors could experience a range of robotics technologies. A 4-meter-tall rideable robot, ‘Method-3,’ developed with the participation of Kwangwoon University faculty, was also on display.  
[email protected] Kim Man-gi Reporter