Kongju National University said it is working to enhance the competence of the automobile parts manufacturing industry in Korea’s central region of South Chungcheong Province.

KNU’s Advanced Motor Parts Regional Innovation Center helps local firms develop new products while addressing challenges and boosting innovative prowess, according to KNU.

The 10-year project is part of the government’s plan to establish infrastructure that will maximize each region’s potential.

AMPRIC has two main goals: to improve the technological development of companies and to progress related research at the university.

When the project commenced in August 2009, only 13 auto part firms and some 20 professors from the university participated. A little less than five years on, it has grown to become a sizeable project with 81 companies participating.

Through various programs such as development support, the testing of new auto equipment, aiding joint research projects, and providing internships at companies for university students, the AMPRIC said it has established a mutually beneficial academic-industrial cooperative program.

KNU claimed that through the project, everyone can gain. Companies get new technology, professors can improve their expertise and students can experience research and working in the field. 

The center works as a bridge between academia and companies, according to Jun Yong-doo, AMPRIC chief and professor of mechanical engineering at KNU.

“In order to survive in the global market, the domestic automobile industry must enhance its technology and acquire research capabilities at the international level,” he said. “The center hopes to become the hub of the technological research for automobile parts. This can be made possible by more professionals and firms working together to challenge new automobile technology for the future.

“I envision that one day, tech officials and management would say ‘AMPRIC made our business a lot easier,’” Jun said.

By Yoon Min-sik (minsikyoon@heraldcorp.com)