□ DGIST (President Kunwoo Lee) announced its appointment of Professor Jung Il-young, a linguist and popular content creator, as a Distinguished Visiting Professor in the School of Undergraduate Studies, College of Transdisciplinary Studies, to foster humanistic literacy and ethical awareness among science and engineering students.
□ This appointment aligns with DGIST’s educational philosophy of nurturing interdisciplinary talent equipped not only with expertise in science and technology but also with humanistic insight and a sense of social responsibility. Professor Jung’s congratulatory address as a special speaker at DGIST’s August 2026 commencement ceremony received an enthusiastic response from students, leading to more concrete discussions on incorporating humanities perspectives into science and engineering education.
□ Newly appointed Distinguished Visiting Professor Jung Il-young is an expert in language and culture who earned his Ph.D. in linguistics from Paris 8 University in France and has been engaged in education and research at universities for more than 25 years. Drawing on his academic expertise, he actively communicates with the public and has taken the lead in conveying the value of the humanities in an accessible and engaging way.
□ He runs the YouTube channel “Extreme Introvert,” which has approximately 250,000 subscribers, and has gained widespread public recognition through appearances on various online content platforms and television programs, including the popular YouTube channel “Chimchakman.” He is recognized for communicating actively with younger generations by presenting specialized knowledge of the humanities in an approachable manner.
□ DGIST plans to expand interdisciplinary humanities education for science and engineering students by drawing on Professor Jung’s academic expertise and ability to engage with the public. This year, he will interact with students through special lectures, and starting in 2027, he will begin full-scale teaching activities with the introduction of two new regular credit-bearing courses, including “Advanced Technology and the Humanities.” Going forward, DGIST plans to expand these efforts to include various convergence education models, such as co-supervision, through interdisciplinary collaboration with existing faculty members.
□ “As advanced science and technology, including artificial intelligence, develop at an increasingly rapid pace, researchers’ ethical awareness, social responsibility, and understanding of humanity are becoming ever more important,” said DGIST President Kunwoo Lee. “I hope that the appointment of Distinguished Visiting Professor Jung Il-young will provide an opportunity for students to complement their scientific and technological expertise with humanistic insight and grow into interdisciplinary talent with a broad understanding of technology and society.”
□ Meanwhile, DGIST plans to use this appointment as an opportunity to strengthen convergence education that transcends the boundaries between science and technology and the humanities, and to foster future science and technology professionals equipped with expertise, creativity, and a sense of social responsibility.
