Research
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Global Eminence
Transforming Administration Innovation Through AI
The Research Promotion Team builds an in-house AI-powered administration system to drive efforts toward transforming Kyung Hee into an AI-Native University As Kyung Hee University declares its transition into an AI-Native University, innovations in education, research, and administration are emerging across the institution. In March, the university unveiled “ChatKHU,” an AI platform that allows any member of the Kyung Hee community to access the latest generative Large Language Models (LLMs). This platform establishes a unified environment for leveraging cutting-edge LLMs from global AI leaders such as OpenAI and Google. Furthermore, the “Kyung Hee AI Committee," a strategic control tower reporting directly to the university president, officially commenced operations in April. This initiative aims to reshape AI not merely as a supplementary tool for university operations, but as the fundamental infrastructure of the institution. Analyzing 1,800+ Emails to Deliver Results from Day One At the administrative frontline, AI is driving tangible changes that support this overarching vision. The Research Development Team at the Office of Research has built an in-house AI-Based Research Administration System. The team created this system to address repetitive inquiries regarding research project regulations, procedures, and forms, while also allowing researchers to verify information during holidays and outside regular working hours. Gi-Jun Jin, a manager from the Research Development Team and the architect of the system, explained, “We wanted to introduce a useful service for researchers while simultaneously reducing the administrative burden caused by repetitive tasks. Prior to full-scale development, we systematically reviewed multi-year inquiry cases to secure the necessary data for the system” The Research Development Team had already been recording and managing faculty inquiries separately. To complement this, they conducted a comprehensive review of approximately 1,800 selected research-related emails accumulated over the same period to secure raw data. They designed a multi-layer classification system with five fields—Research Project Type, Inquiry Topic, Inquiry Content, Answer, and Regulatory Basis—and refined the data into an optimized format for AI training through data layering. To ensure the reliability of the answers, they appended the relevant official regulations to each response. The AI-based research administration system was officially made available to the university community through ChatKHU, marking the first time an administrative service achieved official certification within the platform. The system drew an immediate response following its launch. During its first month of operation, it recorded 847 consultation sessions, averaging 24 sessions per day, with users actively utilizing it as a practical consultation tool by asking consecutive follow-up questions within each session. Furthermore, despite being trained on Korean-language data, the system successfully processes and responds to inquiries made in English, thereby significantly improving accessibility to international faculty members. Faculty members expressed high satisfaction with the system. A professor from the College of Sciences shared, “Previously, verifying the criteria or obligations for using institutional research funds required a significant amount of time spent searching through past emails and attachments. Now, this system provides immediate answers, heavily reducing my administrative burden. If the university expands this service across all administrative sectors, the community will experience even greater practical utility.” Streamlining Repetitive Tasks to Lower Administrative Burden Based on their experience of developing the system in-house, the Research Development Team shared the critical importance of daily data management. Jin noted, “Because we consistently recorded multi-year on-site inquiry cases, we were able to build this system within a short period. If we systematically structure repetitive, routine matters, we can leverage AI to significantly alleviate the burden of repetitive administrative work.” The AI-based research administration system is not a generic, off-the-shelf solution; rather, it is a customized system designed specifically around actual on-site research administration cases and internal institutional regulations. Moving forward, the platform features a self-evolving structure where response quality will naturally improve as more operational data accumulates, promising to become a major asset to research administration. Currently the system primarily handles inquiries regarding institutional research funds, and the team plans to update it systematically whenever internal regulations change or new data becomes available. Administrative innovation driven by AI extends beyond the Office of Research. The Office of Educational Innovation and Planning has launched the development of an AI Agent designed to review documents and budgets for the University Innovation Support Project. The office aims to implement this tool starting with the evaluation of final performance reports in the second half of the year. Their goal is to standardize evaluation criteria based on the national guidelines of the University Innovation Support Project while simultaneously innovating administrative operations.
2026.06.01 -
Global Eminence
Kyung Hee University Reactor Research & Education Center Expands Lecture Hall to Train Next-Generation Reactor Experts
An architectural rendering of the new lecture hall at the Reactor Research & Education Center, which is currently undergoing facility reinforcement and improvement. The Reactor Research & Education Center leverages its MOU with KHNP to build a new 826 m2 lecture hall and improve existing facilities, showcasing its world-class educational capabilities The Kyung Hee University Reactor Research & Education Center is embarking on a comprehensive facility reinforcement and improvement project. This initiative was catalyzed by the “MOU for Nurturing Future Nuclear Energy Experts” signed between Kyung Hee University and Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) in 2020. Leveraging Korea’s Only Educational Reactor to Become a Global Nuclear Education Hub In 2020, KHNP donated construction funds for the expansion of the Reactor Research & Education Center, recognizing the center’s track record in nuclear energy education. Funded by both the university’s budget and this donation, a new 826 m2 lecture hall will be constructed on vacant land adjacent to the current center. The new building, featuring one underground floor and three stories above ground, is scheduled to break ground this July with the goal of completion by April 2027. Concurrently, the university will upgrade existing facilities at the center. The Reactor Research & Education Center spearheads advanced nuclear technology research and talent cultivation based on AGN-201K, South Korea’s only educational nuclear reactor. In 2017, it became the world’s first university facility to be officially designated by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as an institution for Internet Reactor Laboratory (IRL) education, gaining global recognition for its training capabilities. To date, the center has met the growing demand for reactor experiment training, drawing participants from 19 domestic universities, three industrial and research organizations, and 16 overseas universities and research institutions to train a total of 1,620 alumni. Following the facility expansion, the center plans to focus its world-class educational capabilities on nurturing specialized talent in the nuclear energy sector. In addition to regular courses for nuclear engineering departments nationwide, the center will support the training of specialized professionals by designing unique reactor experiment programs for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and next-generation reactor development. Furthermore, the center expects to expand its educational programs to non-majors and industry professionals, while partnering with universities in countries where South Korean nuclear power plants operate to contribute to the globalization of “K-Nuclear Power.” Welcoming the expansion, Ho Jin Park, Director of the Reactor Research & Education Center stated, “As the demand for nuclear energy—a carbon-free power source—surges due to eco-friendly initiatives, AI development, and global conflicts, we will use this facility expansion to strengthen the Korean nuclear ecosystem and nurture future experts in the field.”
2026.06.01 -
Global Eminence
Kyung Hee University and Hana Financial Group to Empower Young Entrepreneurs
Kyung Hee University and Hana Financial Group signed an MOU to launch the “Hana Social Venture University.” MOU ceremony on May 7 kicks off 2026 initiatives Empowering local entrepreneurs to combat regional population decline On Thursday, May 7, Kyung Hee University and Hana Financial Group signed the “2026 Hana Social Venture University Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)” at the University Administration Building on the Seoul Campus. The signing ceremony was attended by key officials from Kyung Hee University, including President Jinsang Kim, Provost of External Affairs Jong-Bok Kim, Head of the Center for Strategic Planning Hail Park, Head of the Business Incubator Won Gu Lee, Head of the Office of Finance and Planning Do Kyun Kim, and Head of the Start-up Care Center Seok Hee Ryu. Attendees from Hana Financial Group included Hana Financial Group CEO Young-joo Ham, Hana Bank CEO Lee Ho-sung, and Hana Financial Group Deputy President Jeong-taek Oh. Hana Social Venture University is a youth entrepreneurship training program launched by Hana Financial Group in 2022 to counter regional population decline caused by youth out-migration. In collaboration with 30 hub universities nationwide, the initiative trains around 50 local entrepreneurs per campus annually. Kyung Hee University joined this program in 2025, contributing 65 participants to the nationwide pool of 763 teams. This year’s program will kick off in the first half of the year, starting with the selection of participating teams. The program will progress through basic startup training, advanced startup training, specialized coaching for outstanding teams, and a final performance sharing event. In 2025, Hana Financial Group selected 60 outstanding startup teams. From Kyung Hee, two teams—OCEAN FUTURE and Sniff Sniff—secured spots in this elite group. OCEAN FUTURE develops organic fertilizer made from jellyfish, a marine pest, to restore forest fire-damanged soil, while Sniff Sniff manufactures hands-free pet leashes using discarded tent fabrics. OCEAN FUTURE won the Grand Prize at the final performance sharing event and has since moved into the Kyung Hee University Campus Town Center for further business incubation. In his welcoming address, President Jinsang Kim emphasized the changing landscape of education, stating, “In the era of AI, self-directedness is a core competency. The time when achievements were made solely based on rote knowledge has passed. Kyung Hee University actively helps students continuously learn and grow in a self-directed manner, building upon the knowledge they acquire.” He added, “Entrepreneurship is a field where this quality becomes increasingly vital. Since its founding, Kyung Hee University has recognized social contribution as a core responsibility of higher education institutions, which aligns perfectly with Hana Financial Group’s social inclusion policies. Through this collaboration, we will dedicate our educational resources to driving even stronger startup achievements.” Responding to President Kim’s remarks, CEO Young-joo Ham expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “Based on our long-standing partnership with Kyung Hee University, I am delighted to sign this agreement for such a meaningful initiative to nurture young entrepreneurs.” He further noted, “In 2026, we will train entrepreneurs to remain competitive in a fast-paced market environment by anchoring our curriculum in AI-driven startup education. We will continue providing unsparing support to build a virtuous cycle where the challenges and growth of young people directly revitalize local economies.”
2026.05.26- SDG 4 - Quality Education
- SDG 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth
- SDG 9 - Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
- SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities
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Research
Professor Ki Joo Pahk Selected for the “Hanwoomul-Phagi” Basic Research Program
The Biomedical Ultrasound Engineering Lab, led by Professor Ki Joo Pahk of the Department of Biomedical Engineering, has been selected for the prestigious “Hanwoomul-Phagi” Basic Research Program, funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the National Research Foundation of Korea. This long-term initiative provides outstanding early-career researchers with approximately 200 million KRW in annual funding for up to 10 years to conduct deep, uninterrupted research in a single field. Professor Pahk’s team secured the grant for their pioneering project, "Development of Core Proprietary Technologies and Platforms for AI Robot Arm-Based Pressure Modulated Shockwave Histotripsy for Patient- and Disease-Customized Precision Treatment.” University Funding Lays the Groundwork for Research This selection serves as an opportunity to further advance Professor Pahk’s ongoing research in therapeutic ultrasound, focused ultrasound, histotripsy—a non-invasive ultrasound technology used for tumor ablation. It also propels his work in cavitation, a phenomenon where microbubbles induced by ultrasound expand and violently collapse, generating physical force.Professor Pahk explained, “This project establishes a firm foundation for us to advance our world-first pressure-modulated shockwave histotripsy technology beyond the proof-of-concept stage and elevate it to a level ready for actual clinical application.” Concurrently, the laboratory views this long-term grant as an opportunity to steadily cultivate top-tier master’s and doctoral researchers in the field of biomedical ultrasound. Professor Pahk emphasized that seed funding from Kyung Hee University also played a critical role leading up to the full-scale launch of this research project. His research team conducted essential preliminary studies backed by a 60 million KRW grant over two years through the university’s “Future Leading Early-Career Researcher Support Program.” This internal funding allowed the team to design their research with greater flexibility compared to government-funded projects. Leveraging this tactical support, the team successfully conducted the foundational preliminary studies that ultimately secured their selection for the “Hanwoomul-Phagi” Basic Research Program. The Need for Precise and Safe Non-Invasive TreatmentProfessor Pahk’s research team is dedicated to developing a therapeutic technology capable of precisely removing tumors and lesions without the need for surgical incisions. Focused ultrasound delivers intense acoustic energy to a targeted area, non-invasively inducing either thermal or mechanical effects on the tissue. While conventional High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) thermalizes and burns target tissue using extreme heat, histotripsy physically ablates tissue into cellular debris using the mechanical force of microbubbles generated by acoustic cavitation. Histotripsy is garnering traction as a next-generation, non-invasive ultrasound surgical modality. Following U.S. FDA approval for certain histotripsy devices in 2023, clinical applications are already underway for liver cancer patients. However, conventional histotripsy presents a distinct trade-off. While it excels at debulking large lesions, the acoustic scattering effect of shockwaves can inadvertently impact surrounding healthy tissue near the focal zone. This limitation makes it challenging to safely treat areas directly adjacent to major blood vessels, bile ducts, or critical nerves. Professor Pahk focused his efforts on overcoming these precise boundaries. He explained, “Conventional histotripsy is a highly innovative technology, but we recognized a critical limitation: its insufficient precision can cause collateral damage to surrounding healthy tissues.” To overcome this barrier, the research team devised a novel, proprietary core technology that first nucleates a vapor bubble at the ultrasound focal point and then sequentially modulates acoustic pressure to control the bubble dynamics with much greater accuracy. Professor Pahk’s team conducting advanced research on next-generation non-invasive therapeutic ultrasound technologies. Achieving Precision Treatment Through Pressure-Modulated Shockwave HistotripsyProfessor Pahk’s research team has been developing “Pressure-Modulated Shockwave Histotripsy (PSH),” a technique that precisely regulates acoustic pressure fields. This innovative technology allows clinicians to finely tune the treatment zone according to the exact size and location of a lesion, thereby minimizing collateral damage to surrounding healthy tissue. This technology is projected to be particularly transformative for high-stakes, sophisticated clinical scenarios, such as treating tumors directly adjacent to major blood vessels, vital organs, or critical nerve pathways. Professor Pahk explained, “Clinicians will be able to deploy this method with significantly higher safety margins, even when they need to ablate only a specific part of a lesion. Furthermore, by dynamically adjusting the timing of pressure modulation, they can precisely define the exact boundaries of the treatment zone.” Going a step further, the research team is integrating AI and robot arm technologies into this platform. The AI engine will learn data regarding pressure modulation timing and lesion sizes to predict the treatment parameters desired by the practitioner. It will also analyze the patient’s anatomical information alongside acoustic simulation results to locate the ultrasound focal point with higher accuracy. Meanwhile, the robot arm will precisely deliver the ultrasound energy from optimal angles, drastically boosting treatment accuracy and procedural efficiency. Professor Pahk stated, “Our ultimate goal in this study is to implement a fully non-invasive precision treatment platform tailored to individual patients and specific disease characteristics by combining our core ultrasound technology with AI predictive models and robot arm-based precision control.” A 10-Year Vision for Expanding Precision TreatmentThis research initiative will unfold in phases over the next decade. During the first five years, the team will focus on perfecting the core proprietary PSH technology, alongside developing AI-driven predictive and monitoring models and high-precision robot arm control systems. In the subsequent five years, the team will integrate these components into a unified, cohesive platform and thoroughly verify its clinical viability through animal testing and performance validation. Ultimately, the research team aims to implement a universal medical device platform capable of patient-customized, non-invasive precision treatment, which will eventually pave the way for technology transfer and commercialization. Professor Pahk anticipated, “Once we fully mature this technology, physicians will be able to precisely target and eradicate lesions without making a single incision. This will drastically minimize patient trauma and the complications often associated with conventional surgical procedures, while simultaneously maximizing treatment safety and efficiency.” The clinical utility of this technology extends beyond oncology. Looking ahead, the research team sees strong potential for expansion into the field of cosmetic and regenerative medicine. Furthermore, they expect this system to serve as a foundational technology for biological tissue decellularization research, which is essential for cell transplantation therapies.
2026.05.26 -
Research
Establishing a Researcher-Centered Administrative Ecosystem
Metrics for industry-academic cooperation and technology transfer in 2025 continue to show steady growth, as Kyung Hee’s academic achievements are effectively translated into industrial innovation. Innovating research administration through one-stop support for large-scale research projects, Kyung Hee achieves a record 194.8 billion KRW in external R&D funding for 2025 Kyung Hee University has solidified its standing as a premier research-intensive institution, maintaining a consistent upward trajectory across all industry-academic cooperation and technology transfer metrics for 2025. According to the “K-DX” Big Data Analysis System, the university secured a record 194.8 billion KRW in external R&D funding and achieved a significant milestone by ranking second in the country for technology transfer licensing fees. Building Foundations for Innovative Growth The most distinctive highlight of this year’s performance is the exponential growth in external R&D funding. In 2025, total external funding reached 194.8 billion KRW (across 1,383 projects)—a substantial leap of over 50 billion KRW compared to the 144.8 billion KRW recorded in 2020. This surge was driven by securing a series of major national projects, including G-LAMP, Glocal Lab, and HK3.0. Notably, the university saw a rise in advanced industrial technology research within science and engineering, alongside an accelerated convergence of basic science and clinical research in the medical sector. By establishing a robust institutional foundation to restructure its funding toward large-scale initiatives, Kyung Hee translated its strengthened research competitiveness into a steady expansion of industry-academic revenue, which reached 36.39 billion KRW (a 4.2 billion KRW increase from the previous year), ranking the university 9th nationwide. In the field of technology transfer, licensing fees reached 9.7 billion KRW based on 2025 performance indicators–a staggering 140% increase from the 4.05 billion KRW reported in 2024. This achievement reflects a qualitative leap in the value of Kyung Hee’s commercialized technologies. While the average fee per technology transfer contract hovered around 50 million KRW between 2021 and 2024, that figure surged to 127.7 million KRW in 2025. This surge demonstrates that Kyung Hee’s cutting edge technologies are effectively meeting industry demands, driving a sharp upward trajectory in all performance metrics. One-Stop Services: Navigating the Shift Toward Large-Scale National R&D National R&D projects have recently been restructured to prioritize large-scale, collective initiatives. To secure these major grants, universities must provide formal commitments of institutional support, including matching funds, dedicated research space, and reduced teaching loads for participating faculty. Previously, researchers bore the burden of coordinating these requirements across multiple administrative departments on their own. This administrative weight often led to researcher fatigue and hindered the university’s capacity to conduct systematic institutional reviews. To address these challenges, Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation introduced the “One-Stop Service for Large-Scale Research Project Commitments.” The introduction of this service serves as a prime example of the paradigm shift toward “researcher-centered” administration. Under this new framework, a research researcher simply submits a project overview and a list of required support items through a single window. From there, the R&D Planning Team acts as a control tower, overseeing the entire process—from practical consultations with relevant campus departments and preliminary reviews to final institutional approval. The process, which was once manual and complex, has been streamlined using inter-departmental digital checklists. This has resulted in exceptional administrative efficiency; even urgent requests are processed within three to five days on average and are typically finalized one to two days ahead of project deadlines. Administrative Excellence Driving Record Performance Metrics Dismantling administrative barriers has directly translated into measurable growth in external research support. As of October 2025, the number of institutional support commitments processed through the One-Stop Service reached 756 cases—a 136% increase from the 324 cases in 2024. The number of specific grant applications supported also rose by 102% reaching 97 projects. These administrative improvements led to tangible success in securing high-value grants. Supported by an integrated system focused on large-scale initiatives, the number of projects valued at over 1 billion KRW increased by 38.5%, from 13 cases in 2024 to 18 in 2025. The total funding from these large-scale projects grew by 38.9%, reaching 25.7 billion KRW. Driven by this structural shift toward major R&D, the university’s total external research funding—which had previously plateaued around 167 million KRW—surged to approximately 194.8 billion KRW by the end of 2025. The One-Stop Service serves as the launching pad for future growth. Leveraging its current qualitative strengths—including a No. 1 ranking in patent registration and top-tier technology transfer fees—Kyung Hee has deployed a preemptive response system for 2026 government R&D projects. To secure massive national initiatives, such as National Research Labs and Leading Research Centers, the Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation is spearheading pre-planning task forces (TFs). These initiatives include comprehensive package support for research planning groups, specialized funding for large-scale project development, and innovative financial incentive programs. Institutional growth stems from the synergy between faculty excellence and the systems built to empower them. The Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation remains committed to removing bureaucratic hurdles and acting as a stepping stone for researchers at the forefront of their fields. The One-Stop Service is a clear testament to the university’s dedication to championing its research community.
2026.05.18 -
Academics
Empowering New Faculty for Teaching Excellence
‘KHU-PREP’ program strengthens new faculty teaching capabilities through standardized pedagogical methods to elevate overall educational quality The KHU-PREP program, designed to strengthen the essential teaching competencies of new faculty, was held on both campuses over two days, Tuesday, April 21, and Wednesday, April 22. Kyung Hee University implements KHU-PREP (Professional Readiness & Enhancement Program), a mandatory pedagogical initiative designed to strengthen the teaching competencies of new faculty members.Targeting newly appointed faculty members with limited full-time teaching experience at a four-year institution, the program helps educators master Kyung Hee’s unique, standardized pedagogical methods to elevate the overall quality of student education. Completion is required within the first two semesters of appointment, serving as a prerequisite for reappointment. While the Offices of Academic Affairs on both campuses established the institutional foundation for the program, the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) spearheaded its design and operational execution. The Transition from Researcher to EducatorThe KHU-PREP program took place across both campuses over two days, Tuesday, April 21, to Wednesday, April 22. Designed to boost the “teaching self-efficacy” of new faculty members, the initiative aims to institutionalize a high level ofl standardized educational quality. A primary focus was ensuring that new educators internalize Kyung Hee’s core educational philosophy and its proprietary innovation model, “QUEST,” at the very start of their tenure to maintain institutional consistency. The curriculum featured practical sessions focused on essential teaching capabilities, including understanding learner characteristics, effective instructional design, and leveraging educational technology (edtech). Sang-Hyun Chi, Director of the CTL, introduced Kyung Hee’s educational vision while candidly addressing the real-world challenges new faculty face when leading their first courses. Having dedicated years primarily to research , many newly appointed professors step up to the podium with limited experience in syllabus design, learner engagement, and assessment methods. Furthermore, the higher education landscape is rapidly evolving with the integration of AI and the expansion of flexible major systems, resulting in a more diverse student body. Highlighting Kyung Hee’s core values—excellence, creativity, empathy, and communication—Director Chi urged the attendees, “I hope you will cultivate your own teaching philosophy within the framework of Kyung Hee’s educational vision.” Sang-Hyun Chi, Director of the CTL, introduced Kyung Hee’s educational vision while candidly addressing the real-world challenges new faculty face when leading their first courses. Having dedicated years primarily to research , many newly appointed professors step up to the podium with limited experience in syllabus design, learner engagement, and assessment methods. Furthermore, the higher education landscape is rapidly evolving with the integration of AI and the expansion of flexible major systems, resulting in a more diverse student body. Highlighting Kyung Hee’s core values—excellence, creativity, empathy, and communication—Director Chi urged the attendees, “I hope you will cultivate your own teaching philosophy within the framework of Kyung Hee’s educational vision.” · Identifying personal teaching styles and establishing a stable classroom environment. · Designing effective, comprehensive, and engaging syllabi. · Understanding student demographics and developing target academic counseling strategies. · Setting clear instructional policies regarding attendance, assessments, and AI utilization. · Navigating available CTL support services, including individual consulting, seminars, and edtech assistance. The sessions also introduced QUEST, Kyung Hee’s signature educational innovation model, which was developed to address challenges in student engagement. QUEST is designed to be easily implemented by instructors and expanded in stages. Establishing Teaching Standards with the QUEST ModelThe sessions concluded with a detailed introduction to QUEST, Kyung Hee’s signature educational innovation model. An acronym for “Quantum Leap: Understand, Engage, Share, reThink,” QUEST is a teaching model designed with a four-stage circular structure: 1. Understand: Internalizing educational content. 2. Engage: Applying knowledge and expanding experience through active participation and immersion. 3. Share: Presenting and communicating findings to facilitate mutual learning. 4. reThink: Reflecting on and reconstructing the overall learning experience. Developed to address common classroom challenges such as declining student engagement and a lack of interaction, QUEST is designed to be easily implemented by instructors and expanded in phases. It features specific sub-models for four types of instruction: Theory, Task/Problem, Experiment, and Capstone. During a pilot run across six courses in the second semester of 2025, the model led to significant improvements in students’ problem-solving skills and edtech competencies. For faculty, it provided a clear benchmark for systematically reflecting on and improving their teaching methodologies. Professor Sangkeun Park (Department of Software Convergence) shared insights from his Web/Python Programming course, a mandatory major requirement for first year students. He used Slido quizzes to check comprehension in every session and encouraged students to apply concepts through practical projects like data analysis and website creation. While he encouraged the use of generative AI as a tool for project execution, he emphasized the importance of students setting their own directions and critically reviewing AI-generated results. The program also featured case studies from faculty members currently utilizing the QUEST model. Professor Seungjun Baek (Department of International Business and Trade) applied the model to his Global Financial Policy course. He used AI to convert complex financial research papers into audio and summary formats, allowing students to grasp the core concepts before class. This shifted valuable classroom time toward high-level questions, debates, and real-world applications. In his classroom, AI served not as a source of “answers,” but as a learning catalyst to elevate the quality of discussion.
2026.05.18 -
Research
Beyond GPUs: Proving the Potential of Next-Generation AI Semiconductor Technology
A research team led by Professor Hong-Sub Lee of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering has developed a next-generation AI inference accelerator. Professor Hong-Sub Lee’s research team implements high-efficiency memristor array for AI inference Findings expected to “become key foundational technology for high-efficiency AI inference hardware” With the recent rapid growth of AI leading to a surge in data processing volumes, there is an increasing demand for high-efficiency hardware that can surpass the capabilities of existing GPUs or NPUs. Consequently, “In-memory Computing”—a technology that performs data storage and computation simultaneously within the memory itself—is gaining significant attention as a next-generation alternative for AI semiconductors. A research team led by Professor Hong-Sub Lee from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering (First author: Jeong-hyun Son) has successfully developed a next-generation AI inference accelerator. Their research findings were published in the renowned international journal Nano Energy (Impact Factor: 17.1) this past March. Implementation of Precise-Control Memristor Arrays with Stable Current Limitation A memristor (a portmanteau of “memory” and “resistor”) is a next-generation electronic component that changes its resistance in response to electrical stimuli and “remembers” that state. It is considered a leading candidate for AI computing hardware. By arranging memristors in a crossbar structure, the movement of data between computing units and memory can be drastically reduced, enabling the creation of AI accelerators optimized for low-power, high-speed operations. However, technical hurdles have previously limited the use of this technology. Passive crossbar arrays often suffer from “sneak current,” where electricity flows through unintended paths of unselected devices. Additionally, the stochastic (probabilistic) behavior of ions within memristor materials can lead to decreased reliability during the learning process. To overcome these physical limitations, Professor Lee’s research team utilized an Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) process to develop lithium-ion based self-rectifying memristor devices. This allowed them to implement a memristor array capable of precise control while effectively and stably limiting sneak currents. The team demonstrated the potential of specialized hardware for AI inference by performing the initial learning on an external server and then accurately mapping the trained weight values onto the array within an edge device. By applying an algorithm to map target weights, the team achieved a high yield of over 99%. Professor Lee emphasized the significance of the study, stating, “This result demonstrates the potential for accurate AI inference operations using large-scale crossbar arrays.” The research team now plans to verify the potential for enhanced energy efficiency compared to existing AI acceleration hardware. Professor Lee’s research team plans to verify the potential for enhanced energy efficiency compared to existing AI acceleration hardware.
2026.05.11 -
Global Eminence
Kyung Hee University Welcomes Parents to Campus for “2026 Spring Harmony” Event
Office of External Affairs invites 250 parents for student lunch, campus tours, and dormitory visits Introductions to scholarship, career, and internationalization programs help parents understand university life On Friday, April 17, the Office of External Affairs hosted the “2026 Kyung Hee Spring Harmony” campus invitation event for parents at the Seoul Campus. The event was designed for parents to explore the campus where their children live and learn, while gaining a deeper understanding of the university’s educational environment and support systems. Approximately 250 parents participated in this year’s event. The event began with registration and the distribution of meal tickets at the plaza in front of the Cheongwoon Building. Attendees experienced a typical university meal at the student cafeteria before embarking on a campus tour that visited landmarks such as the University Administration Building, Grand Peace Hall, and the Central Library. The library tour provided a firsthand look at the academic spaces where students spend their time, offering parents an intimate look into their children’s university life. Campus Life and Career Planning Information Sessions for ParentsParents attended an information session on campus life and career planning at the Cheongwoon Building. In his welcoming remarks, Professor Won Gu Lee, Director of the Future Innovation Team, emphasized that the university’s vital role is to support the growth and success of every individual student. He stated, “The university must serve as a testbed for students to take on new challenges,” adding that “Kyung Hee is dedicated to strengthening student competencies and helping them successfully enter society through the convergence of education, multi-major systems, and a customized growth support framework.” The session provided comprehensive information practically useful for student life and career design, including scholarship systems, job placement support, and internationalization programs such as exchange student opportunities. Additionally, the program introduced the “Kyung Hee Lion Partners” and “Kyung Hee Lion Supporters” programs, managed by the Office of External Affairs. Kyung Hee Lion Partners is a community where parents receive news about the university and specific departments, participate in cultural events, and communicate with one another. Kyung Hee Lion Supporters is a parent group that contributes through regular donations to improve the educational programs and learning environments of their children’s respective departments. The career support session covered strategies for entering the workforce in response to future societal changes, alongside campus-based career support programs. The global program segment highlighted various overseas exchange opportunities, such as exchange programs and short-term international training. A parent of a first-year student in the Global Academy commented, “I was surprised to learn for the first time that the scholarship system is so diverse—some students even receive over 10 million KRW in a single semester. This was a meaningful opportunity to learn how to better inform my child about these scholarship options.” Parents attend an information session at Cheongwoon Building to learn about campus life and career planning. Experiencing University Life on CampusIn the afternoon, parents participated in tours of Happy House Dormitory and the Natural History Museum, followed by a self-guided tour program. Parents took pictures at photo zones set up at Kyung Hee’s most iconic landmarks, including the fountain in front of the University Administration Building, Grand Peace Hall Plaza, the Central Library, the Kyung Hee-an Statue, and the Laughing Lion Statue. Parents explored various corners of the campus to get a sense of their children’s daily lives and captured memories with commemorative photos. They also visited an exhibition at the College of Art gallery to get a broader experience of campus culture. A parent of a first-year student in the Department of Hospitality Management remarked, “The campus was incredibly beautiful. I was curious about how my child was settling in, and the tour helped me visualize their daily life on campus.” They added, “It was very helpful to receive information on exchange programs and employment, and I hope more events like this are organized in the future.” The event served as a meaningful opportunity for parents to directly observe the university’s support systems and educational environment, fostering a deeper connection with the institution. ▶ Join the Kyung Hee Lions Supporters Parents participate in a campus tour, visiting major landmarks such as the University Administration Building, Grand Peace Hall, and the Central Library.
2026.05.11 -
Global Eminence
Strengthening the Academic-Industrial Ecosystem: Launch of the Hongneung Innopolis Phase 2 Project
The briefing session for Phase 2 of the Hongneung Special R&D Zone project was held on Wednesday, April 15, at the Seoul Bio Hub BT-IT Convergence Center. Participating Institutions Include Kyung Hee University, KIST, and Korea University in Attendance Accelerating Technology Startups and Global Market Entry for Participating Companies Phase 2 of the Hongneung Innopolis (Special R&D Zone) project, in which Kyung Hee University is a key participant, has officially commenced. This was announced during the Hongneung 2.0 Kick-off: Hongneung Innopolis Phase 2 Briefing Session hosted by the Hongneung Innopolis Management Foundation on Wednesday, April 15. The event, held at the Seoul Bio Hub BT-IT Convergence Center, targeted resident companies and prospective entrepreneurs and was attended by key representatives from each participating institution. From Kyung Hee, Een-Kee Hong (Head of the Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation) and Kyung-sik Yoon (Head of the Medical Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation) were in attendance. They were joined by a distinguished group of guests from core participating organizations, including Sang-rok Oh (President of the Korea Institute of Science and Technology, KIST), Hak Jun Kim (Vice President for Medical Research at Korea University), Hyun-woo Kim (Director-General of Seoul Bio Hub), Hwan Im (Director of the Hongneung Innopolis Management Foundation), and Kang-jun Lee (Division Director of the Innopolis Foundation). Een-Kee Hong, Head of the Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation, welcomes the launch of the project and expresses a strong commitment to collaboration with the Hongneung Innopolis during his welcoming remarks. Building on the Successes of Phase 1In August 2020, the Ministry of Science and ICT designated a 1.38 km2 area in Seoul (Anam-dong and Jeongneung-dong in Seongbuk-gu, and Hoegi-dong in Dongdaemun-gu) as a Special R&D Zone (Innopolis). Reflecting the core competencies of Kyung Hee University and neighboring institutions, the zone selected bio-medicine, digital healthcare, drug development, and medical devices as its fields of specialization. With Kyung Hee University, KIST, and Korea University serving as core institutions, the Seoul Bio Hub and the BT-IT Convergence Center were integrated to form a comprehensive bio-medical cluster. From 2020 through last year, the first phase of the project was operational, yielding significant results in technology transfer, startup support, and attracting investment. Congratulating the launch of Phase 2, Een-Kee Hong explained the role of the core institutions, stating, “Hongneung is a premier bio-medical innovation cluster in Korea. It serves as a vital hub where research achievements lead to technology-based startups and industrialization. As a core participating institution, Kyung Hee University—leveraging its convergence research capabilities across medicine, dentistry, Korean medicine, and pharmacy—is generating tangible technology commercialization results, including IT and clinical research integrations, mid-to-large scale technical support, and revenue generation by technology. Furthermore, we have worked in tandem with Hongneung Innopolis participants to produce results driven by corporate demand.” He shared future plans, adding, “We plan to further upgrade our full-lifecycle management system in the field of entrepreneurship. To this end, we are strengthening our internal management structures. We will continue to deepen our cooperation with Hongneung Innopolis to steadily expand the impact of technology transfer and commercialization.” The Hongneung Innopolis 2.0 project provides comprehensive support programs tailored to each stage of corporate development, including technology acquisition, startup incubation, growth, networking, and global market entry. Project Descriptions and Individual ConsultationsPresident Sang-rok Oh of KIST reflected on the five-year journey since the designation of Hongneung Innopolis in 2020 while defining the clear objectives for Phase 2. The primary goals for this new phase include technology-based entrepreneurship, corporate scale-ups, and ventures into the global market. He emphasized, “Hongneung Innopolis is an innovation ecosystem co-created by Kyung Hee University, Korea University, and KIST,” adding, “In Phase 2, we aim to evolve together into a ‘Medi-cluster’ where research, clinical application, and commercialization are organically integrated, rather than having each institution operate within its individual role.” He further urged participating companies to maintain their entrepreneurial spirit and initial vision. Vice President for Medical Research Hak Jun Kim highlighted, “Based on our clinical experience as a research-oriented hospital, we will provide bio-venture companies with practical clinical consultation and validation opportunities to ensure their technologies successfully integrate into medical settings.” Following the welcoming remarks from each institution, a presentation on the Hongneung Innopolis 2.0 project was held, providing a comprehensive guide to the six detailed programs restructured for Phase 2. The core support framework includes: Inno-Tech Discovery Support (Technology Acquisition), Hongneung Venture Studio & Grand-K Startup School (Entrepreneurship), Hongneung Scale-up (Growth), Hongneung Venture Support Platform (Networking), and Global Innovation Bridge (Global Market Entry). These programs are designed to guide researchers, professors with proprietary technologies, and local entrepreneurs through the entire startup journey. The briefing session also featured an “Opportunity Zone” for customized corporate diagnostics and practical business connections. Through a pre-matching system, consultations were conducted according to each company’s specific stage—ranging from technology acquisition and startup formation to growth and global expansion. This established an action-based foundation that seamlessly connects business descriptions with tailored diagnostics, actual application support, and follow-up investment reviews.
2026.05.11 -
Academics
Designing the Researcher’s Path
The Smart Tourism Research Center empowers researchers by providing knowledge, academic networks, and the support needed to sustain their work, resulting in successful faculty appointments both in Korea and abroad. The Smart Tourism Research Center as an Academic Hub for Future Scholars Rising as a Global Leader in Smart Tourism via National Projects and International Academic Ecosystems The Smart Tourism Research Center (STRC) at the College of Hotel and Tourism Management is establishing itself as a vital outpost for the next generation of scholars. In today’s academic landscape, the years following a doctoral degree are no longer viewed as a mere transitional phase. Instead, this period is recognized as the definitive time for a researcher to establish their scholarly vision and depth, as well as to build the core competencies required of an independent academic. The STRC serves as a robust foundation, providing rising researchers with the momentum to sustain their inquiries, the collaborative environments that expand knowledge, and the global networks necessary to connect with the international academic community. Driving Research Excellence and Innovation in Tourism StudiesSince its inception in 2013, the Smart Tourism Research Center (STRC) has spearheaded massive research projects that have reshaped the landscape of tourism studies. The center successfully executed the National Research Foundation’s Social Science Korea (SSK) project over a ten-year period—progressing through small, medium, and large-scale phases—and has continuously managed major national initiatives, including the seven-year BK21 (Brain Korea 21) Four Education Research Team project. By realizing a long-term, systematic academic vision, the STRC has consistently proven its institutional caliber. The center’s achievements extend beyond internal milestones, fostering a broader academic ecosystem. The STRC founded the Korean Academic Society of Smart Tourism, providing a vital platform for domestic scholarly discourse. Furthermore, it launched the international English-language journal, Journal of Smart Tourism (JST), which reached a significant milestone this year by being indexed in Scopus, the world’s largest abstract and citation database. By hosting the World Conference on Smart Tourism (WCST), which marks its fourth year in 2026, the STRC has solidified Kyung Hee University’s College of Hotel and Tourism Management as the undisputed global hub of smart tourism research. (From left) Professors Sung-eun Kang, Jung-hyun Kim, Ju-kyung Kwon, Ju-yeon Ham, and Tae-hwi Eom—researchers from the Smart Tourism Research Center who have secured faculty appointments at domestic and international universities. Multidimensional Academic Experience and the Leap to Independent ResearchThe world-class academic ecosystem established by the center has become a premier incubator for nurturing outstanding scholars. Assistant Professor Sung-eun Kang (Hanyang University ERICA) and Assistant Professor Jung-hyun Kim (University of Central Florida) internalized the core competencies of independent scholars through their experience managing center-led projects, international journals, and academic symposiums. Professor Kang noted, “In an era where an overseas degree alone no longer guarantees a faculty appointment, I was able to build global competitiveness by applying diverse research methodologies to real-world challenges.” Professor Kim described the center as “a practical space that allowed me to define my scholarly role through collaboration with experts in other fields during periods of uncertainty.” The center’s research horizons have expanded through long-term projects that integrate technology and tourism. Assistant Professor Ju-kyung Kwon (Kyungpook National University) and Assistant Professor Ju-yeon Ham (Chosun University) have broadened the scope of the field through their respective work on Metaverse/AI-based tourism and convergence research utilizing Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA). Professor Kwon remarked, “Engaging in research closely linked to actual industry shifts allowed me to map out a long-term academic direction.” Professor Ham emphasized that “the exposure to global networks and the exchange of diverse methodologies became the driving force in establishing my unique research identity.” Recently, Dr. Tae-hwi Eom, who was appointed to the Macau University of Science and Technology, demonstrated the strength of the center’s systematic growth model—rising from a BK21 scholar to a research professor. He successfully leveraged his extensive experience presenting at international conferences as a key competitive advantage in securing his global faculty position. A Global Network of Academic ExcellenceThe center’s influence extends far beyond Korea, with its alumni securing prestigious faculty positions at leading universities worldwide. Notable appointments include: Professor Sunyoung HLee (Beijing Institute of Technology), Professor Kyoungmin Lee (Shandong University), Professor Hanna Lee (University of New Hampshire), Professor Oh Jeong (Hainan University), and Professor Seunghun Shin (The Hong Kong Polytechnic University). The international impact is further evidenced by researchers such as Joo Young Kim (Copenhagen Business School), Yerin Sarja Lee (American University), and Research Professor Eunji Lee (The Hong Kong Polytechnic University), who are all advancing the frontiers of tourism research on the global stage. Professors Namho Chung and Chulmo Koo, the architects of this academic ecosystem, reflected on the center’s mission: “In an environment where competition intensifies immediately following a doctoral degree, we aim to provide a structured platform for researchers. Our goal is to help them cultivate the qualities of an independent scholar—from publishing in top-tier journals to building global networks and leading large-scale projects.” They added, “The Smart Tourism Research Center is more than just a space for accumulating performance metrics; it is a forward base where scholars establish their academic identities and contribute meaningfully to the global knowledge society.”
2026.05.04