Medical and science and technology convergence K Health will be launched...POSTECH/Catholic University Introduces Korea's First Joint Degree System for Medical and Science and Technology Specialized Universities
Sep 24, 2025
The POSTECH-Catholic University Medical Biotechnology Research Institute, which has led the convergence research of domestic medicine and science and technology, has entered a new era.
Catholic University and POSTECH will introduce a joint degree system between medical schools and science and technology specialized universities for the first time in Korea. This agreement is expected to systematically guarantee convergence education and research that encompasses medicine and science and technology, and to raise the competitiveness of Korea's bio-health industry to the next level.
Until now, POSTECH-Catholic Institute of Biotechnology has been actively conducting joint research, but there has been a limitation in relying on the researcher's personal capabilities and autonomy. In order to achieve stable research results and foster sustainable talent, the two schools decided to introduce a joint degree system, which will establish a virtuous cycle structure from joint education to research and further commercialization, and institutionalize a cooperative system between medicine and science and technology.
This joint degree system is noteworthy in that it is a new cooperative model in which both schools are responsible for education, research, and industrialization as equal partners, beyond simply giving degrees together. Recently, as the convergence of digital technologies such as artificial intelligence, robots, and data and medical care has progressed rapidly around the world, the importance of intermediary research connecting clinical and technology is increasing. However, with less than 20% of non-clinical medical scientists in Korea, there was a limit to the spread of advanced bio R&D.
Therefore, the two schools are MD-Ph.It plans to establish a joint degree completion system for D and Ph.D courses and jointly develop subjects and educational materials. In addition, it plans to form a joint guidance faculty to support in-depth research and education, and to select and foster excellent talents through various manpower exchange programs.
In addition, the joint research platform will be strengthened by expanding the existing POSTECH-Catholic University's Bioengineering Research Institute. It provides a foundation for physician scientists and medical scientists to organically carry out the entire process from basic research to practical use, and supports research to be closely connected to industrial sites by creating practical results leading to technology transfer and start-ups.
In addition, synergy is maximized by actively supporting joint research and commercialization. Catholic University and POSTECH use convergence research platforms to create an ecosystem of collaboration between research personnel and promote research results derived through industrial, academic, research, and disease networks to lead to technology commercialization. Through this, we plan to address various unmet needs in the clinical field and strengthen practical competitiveness in the field of advanced bio.
The joint degree and joint research system to be established through this cooperation is expected to be the starting point for implementing an ecosystem for fostering doctors and scientists in the previous period, where education, research, and commercialization are closely connected. In addition, by leading global-level convergence research, it is expected that the foundation will be laid to contribute to the development of the national biohealth industry and cultivate professional talents who will lead future medical innovation.
The research institute of biotech at POSTECH - Catholic University was established in 2005. Recognizing the need for convergence research that breaks the boundaries of medicine, life sciences, and engineering, Yang University was the first researcher in Korea to jointly establish it with a strategic investment of about 23 billion won at the time.
In 2008, it expanded and relocated to a high-tech research space of 1000 pyeong to build large research equipment, and various achievements were achieved through joint research projects such as 'Flagship Project' and 'Star Project'. In particular, it has greatly contributed to fostering bio venture companies by linking research results to actual industrialization.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of its establishment, and there are currently more than 100 resident researchers and more than 200 participating researchers. He has been leading the way in identifying the cause of disease and developing new diagnosis and treatment technologies by cultivating medical scientists and medical scientists, and has played an important role in producing key talents for the development of the national bio-healthcare industry.
"This joint degree system is the beginning of a new paradigm that organically connects education, research, and commercialization," said Kim Wan-wook, head of POSTECH-Catholic Institute of Bioengineering. "We will cultivate convergent talents that encompass medical and science and technology and grow them into key talents who will lead the bio-health industry in the future."
Meanwhile, the education and research exchange agreement ceremony for the institutionalization of joint degrees at POSTECH-Catholic University was held at the Catholic University of Korea's Holy Hall on the 23rd.
Catholic University and POSTECH will introduce a joint degree system between medical schools and science and technology specialized universities for the first time in Korea. This agreement is expected to systematically guarantee convergence education and research that encompasses medicine and science and technology, and to raise the competitiveness of Korea's bio-health industry to the next level.
Until now, POSTECH-Catholic Institute of Biotechnology has been actively conducting joint research, but there has been a limitation in relying on the researcher's personal capabilities and autonomy. In order to achieve stable research results and foster sustainable talent, the two schools decided to introduce a joint degree system, which will establish a virtuous cycle structure from joint education to research and further commercialization, and institutionalize a cooperative system between medicine and science and technology.
This joint degree system is noteworthy in that it is a new cooperative model in which both schools are responsible for education, research, and industrialization as equal partners, beyond simply giving degrees together. Recently, as the convergence of digital technologies such as artificial intelligence, robots, and data and medical care has progressed rapidly around the world, the importance of intermediary research connecting clinical and technology is increasing. However, with less than 20% of non-clinical medical scientists in Korea, there was a limit to the spread of advanced bio R&D.
Therefore, the two schools are MD-Ph.It plans to establish a joint degree completion system for D and Ph.D courses and jointly develop subjects and educational materials. In addition, it plans to form a joint guidance faculty to support in-depth research and education, and to select and foster excellent talents through various manpower exchange programs.
In addition, the joint research platform will be strengthened by expanding the existing POSTECH-Catholic University's Bioengineering Research Institute. It provides a foundation for physician scientists and medical scientists to organically carry out the entire process from basic research to practical use, and supports research to be closely connected to industrial sites by creating practical results leading to technology transfer and start-ups.
In addition, synergy is maximized by actively supporting joint research and commercialization. Catholic University and POSTECH use convergence research platforms to create an ecosystem of collaboration between research personnel and promote research results derived through industrial, academic, research, and disease networks to lead to technology commercialization. Through this, we plan to address various unmet needs in the clinical field and strengthen practical competitiveness in the field of advanced bio.
The joint degree and joint research system to be established through this cooperation is expected to be the starting point for implementing an ecosystem for fostering doctors and scientists in the previous period, where education, research, and commercialization are closely connected. In addition, by leading global-level convergence research, it is expected that the foundation will be laid to contribute to the development of the national biohealth industry and cultivate professional talents who will lead future medical innovation.
The research institute of biotech at POSTECH - Catholic University was established in 2005. Recognizing the need for convergence research that breaks the boundaries of medicine, life sciences, and engineering, Yang University was the first researcher in Korea to jointly establish it with a strategic investment of about 23 billion won at the time.
In 2008, it expanded and relocated to a high-tech research space of 1000 pyeong to build large research equipment, and various achievements were achieved through joint research projects such as 'Flagship Project' and 'Star Project'. In particular, it has greatly contributed to fostering bio venture companies by linking research results to actual industrialization.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of its establishment, and there are currently more than 100 resident researchers and more than 200 participating researchers. He has been leading the way in identifying the cause of disease and developing new diagnosis and treatment technologies by cultivating medical scientists and medical scientists, and has played an important role in producing key talents for the development of the national bio-healthcare industry.
"This joint degree system is the beginning of a new paradigm that organically connects education, research, and commercialization," said Kim Wan-wook, head of POSTECH-Catholic Institute of Bioengineering. "We will cultivate convergent talents that encompass medical and science and technology and grow them into key talents who will lead the bio-health industry in the future."
Meanwhile, the education and research exchange agreement ceremony for the institutionalization of joint degrees at POSTECH-Catholic University was held at the Catholic University of Korea's Holy Hall on the 23rd.
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This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
