KAIST joining forces with Korea Polytechnic University

The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) announced on Nov. 24 that it has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Korea Polytechnic University.

Under the contract, the two sides will put forth efforts to build a new educational model for cultivating talent in the era of AI-driven manufacturing innovation. 

The partnership brings together Korea’s leading artificial intelligence research institution and the nation’s largest network of hands-on technical colleges, according to KAIST.

The two organizations noted that the traditional divide between “research-oriented universities” and “field-oriented technical colleges” is no longer sufficient for keeping pace with rapid changes in AI-enabled manufacturing environments. 

To address this challenge, the partnership will focus on developing joint programs centered on what they call Physical AI—a field that integrates artificial intelligence with physical systems such as robots, machinery, and automated production lines. 

The institutions plan to pursue collaborative initiatives in research and education, integrate real-world testbed environments into training, and strengthen industry–academia cooperation.

KAIST recently launched an institute to study the manufacturing of physical AI with an aim of accelerating next-generation research in AI and robotics. 

Korea Polytechnic University, with 40 campuses nationwide, brings extensive practical training infrastructure and long-standing expertise in developing industry-ready technical professionals. 

By combining KAIST’s R&D capabilities in AI, robotics, and digital twins with Polytech’s strengths in manufacturing, the partnership seeks to establish a new convergent talent-development framework that bridges advanced research and on-site skills.

The memorandum of understanding was signed late last week during a global forum held in Seoul.