□ DGIST (President Kunwoo Lee) announced the official launch of the first cohort of its “AI Microdegree” program, which provides intensive training in practical artificial intelligence (AI) skills for those currently working in the IT field.
□ Operated by the DGIST Supercomputing AI Education and Research Center, the “AI Microdegree” is a newly established program designed to provide systematic training in AI theory and practical skills to currently employed developers and others with approximately 10 years of practical experience in the IT field. The first round of admissions drew strong interest, with a total of 96 applicants competing for 20 spots, resulting in a competition rate of 4.8 to 1.
□ The applicants had diverse career experiences and backgrounds. The largest group comprised 34 applicants with more than 10 years of experience in the IT field, followed by 11 from public-sector and intellectual property-related professionals and 10 from the education sector. Regarding academic background, 24 applicants were at the doctoral level, including current doctoral students, while 17 were at the master’s level, including current master’s students, indicating that many applicants had advanced expertise. Practitioners in specialized occupations, such as physicians, Korean medicine doctors, lawyers, and patent attorneys, also applied.
□ The curriculum will be offered from September through December in a combination of online and offline formats. Participants will progressively study key areas of AI, including Python programming, mathematics for AI, data science, machine learning, deep learning, computer vision, AI optimization and applications, and reinforcement learning. The program is structured so that participants can receive a certificate upon completing a total of six courses, improving access to education for employees who are balancing work and study.
□ The program enhances hands-on training and applied education to enable participants to use AI in their actual work, transcending the simple delivery of theoretical knowledge. Alongside online learning, participants will participate in in-person practical sessions and examinations at DGIST, developing their ability to directly apply AI technologies and solve problems.
□ To mark the launch of the program, DGIST held an entrance ceremony and orientation for the first cohort on September 1 at the Convention Hall in DGIST’s chief administration building. The event provided information on the detailed curriculum and completion requirements and included a networking program to facilitate interaction between DGIST faculty members and participants.
□ “In an era of sweeping AI transformation, it is more important than ever to cultivate practice-oriented talent equipped with both industry experience and AI expertise,” stated DGIST President Kunwoo Lee. “Based on DGIST’s outstanding AI education and research infrastructure, we will actively support those currently working in the field so that they can grow into key talent capable of leading AX innovation across industry.”
□ Moreover, DGIST plans to continue expanding practice-oriented AI education programs, including the AI Microdegree, to cultivate AI and AX talent with the expertise required by industry and contribute to the digital transformation and enhanced competitiveness of regional and national industries.
