The Friedrich Alexander University of Germany has launched its branch campus in Busan offering graduate programs in chemicals and biotechnology.

The university, founded in 1743 and located in Erlangen and Nuremberg, Bavaria, is one of the world’s leading institutions for education and research of bio-chemical engineering.

Its local campus is located at Busan Techno Park within Busan-Jinhae Free Economic Zone.

The opening ceremony was held on Wednesday with the attendance of Busan Mayor Hur Nam-sik, FAU Chairman Thomas A.H. Schock and 80 figures in academics, business and community.

FAU Busan offers master programs in eight chemical and bio-engineering fields. Seventeen students including 12 from Germany have been admitted as freshmen to the spring semester.

In addition to eight German professors, 24 staff including researchers and technical professionals will operate the Research Center for Bio-chemical Engineering.

The FAU Busan campus has 1,700-square-meter teaching and administration facilities as well as 1,600 square-meter state-of-the-art laboratories.

“The opening of the FAU Busan and research center in the BJFEZ will serve as an anchor facility to encourage further clustering of more foreign universities and R&D centers into our area,” the BJFEZ Authority said.