Kwangwoon University appointed as a “Specialized University for Advanced Robotics Industry” by the Ministry of Education  

Launching Full-Scale Training of Humanoid and Mobile Robotics Talent  

- KRW 11.6 billion in national funding over four years 

- Additional matching funds secured from the Seoul Metropolitan Government 

- Establishment of the “Seoul–Kwangwoon Robotics Laboratory” (tentative name) to lead the era of Physical AI  

February 24, 2026. Kwangwoon University (President Yoon Do-young) has been officially chosen for the robotics category of the 2026 Advanced Industry Specialized University Financial Support Program, administered by the Ministry of Education. This recognition further strengthens the university’s position as a national leader in robotics-focused education and research.  

The program was newly expanded this year to cultivate talent in robotics—following national strategic industries such as semiconductors, secondary batteries, and biotechnology. Kwangwoon University was ed alongside Changwon National University and Inha University as one of Korea’s designated robotics-specialized universities. Under this initiative, Kwangwoon will receive KRW 2.9 billion annually, totaling KRW 11.6 billion over four years in government funding.  

In addition, Kwangwoon University has secured separate matching funds from the Seoul Metropolitan Government. Beyond the national grant, local government funding will support the establishment of the proposed “Seoul–Kwangwoon Robotics Laboratory.” This collaborative laboratory will serve as a strategic hub for cultivating next-generation robotics leaders and strengthening Seoul’s role in the future robotics industry.  

Through this initiative, Kwangwoon University plans to focus on two key areas: Humanoid Robotics and Mobile Robotics. As the era of Physical AI accelerates, robotics is rapidly evolving beyond traditional control-based systems toward AI-driven systems that integrate perception, decision-making, and action. Intelligent robotics powered by large-scale learning models and data-driven policy learning is becoming a decisive factor in industrial competitiveness. In response, Kwangwoon will develop a differentiated curriculum centered on AI–robotics convergence.  

Key Strategic Initiatives  

- Launching new majors and advancing curricula in humanoid and mobile robotics 

- Recruiting distinguished faculty and expanding state-of-the-art experimental and training infrastructure 

- Strengthening industry–university collaboration projects aligned with industry demand 

- Enhancing pathways to graduate study and employment through undergraduate research programs and laboratory internships  

Through these efforts, the university aims to continuously produce highly skilled, practice-ready professionals capable of contributing immediately to the robotics industry.  

Professor Choi Yong-hoon, Dean of the School of Robotics and Project Director, stated that this ion acknowledges Kwangwoon University’s strong achievements in robotics education and research. He added that the university will continue to foster creative and highly skilled professionals to help strengthen Korea’s global competitiveness in the robotics industry.