Kookmin University (President Jeong Seung Ryul) has been selected for the ‘Specialized Graduate School Development Project in the Environmental Field’ in the bio-materials category, led by the Ministry of Climate, Energy, and Environment and supported by the Korea Environmental Industry & Technology Institute. This project will run for five years from 2025 to 2030. The total project budget is 6.2 billion won, and Professor Park Yong Cheol of the Department of Bio Fermentation and Convergence Technology at Kookmin University is responsible for project operations.

This project, promoted by the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, was designed to lead sustainable green technology based on bio-derived materials and secure national leadership in the intensified global competition for resource acquisition following the Paris Climate Agreement and the Nagoya Protocol. Specifically, it aims to build an ecosystem for the eco-friendly biomaterials industry to address global environmental challenges and cultivate next-generation core talent.

Through this project, Kookmin University plans to establish and operate a ‘Specialized Graduate School for Eco-Biomaterial Convergence Talent Development’ to cultivate convergence talent encompassing biomaterial development and production technologies. Specifically, the curriculum will include 114 courses, featuring newly established modules related to biomaterials (development and production). The program will also introduce industry-academia collaboration-based PBR-MAX programs reflecting industrial demands, field-based internships, and global seminars, all focused on strengthening practical capabilities.

Furthermore, Kookmin University plans to establish an Eco-Biomaterials Research Platform integrating AI, data science, and synthetic biology. It will execute various strategies to enhance the sustainability and scalability of the entire industry by expanding its global collaborative network in the biomaterials field. This is expected to significantly contribute not only to cultivating convergence-based, practice-oriented talent that organically links education, research, and industry, but also to creating new green technology-based industries and securing global industrial competitiveness.

Previously, Kookmin University was selected for the ‘Green Convergence Technology Specialized Graduate School Development Project’ in 2020, enabling it to stably operate specialized education in biomaterials for five years. Centered around the Bio Fermentation and Convergence Technology Department—Korea's only fermentation convergence department and a world-class bio department—the university has realized education encompassing both theory and practice. This was achieved through industry-academia projects, internships, and field training linked with 19 companies across diverse industrial sectors such as food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and environmental materials. These achievements and expertise formed a crucial foundation for the selection in this environmental field specialized graduate school project. Furthermore, building on this project selection, the Department of Bio-Fermentation Convergence will transition into the Department of Convergence Bioengineering starting in the 2026 academic year, aiming

President Jeong Seung Ryul of Kookmin University stated stated, “This project selection is a significant achievement demonstrating our competitiveness in the ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) field, which aligns with KMU Vision 2035: EDGE, our development plan. It also signifies external recognition of our capabilities in the bio field, one of our eight specialized areas.” He added, “Kookmin University will continue to do its utmost to establish itself as a hub for cultivating convergence experts who will lead the green industry.”

Professor Park Yong Cheol remarked, “Kookmin University has continuously developed a practice-oriented educational model linking research and industry in the biomaterials field.” He added, “Building on this project selection, we will further expand the environmental and industrial value of biomaterials and cultivate future-oriented talent with global competitiveness.”