Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) announced on the 9th that the JBNU RISE Project Group visited Hangzhou, China from February 1 to 6 as part of an international exchange program and conducted exchange activities with Zhejiang University.

Zhejiang University, located in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, is a university with world-class research capabilities. This visit was undertaken to directly observe the industry–university–research collaboration models concentrated in the Hangzhou area, where global universities and innovative companies are clustered, and to strengthen the foundation for international cooperation.

The RISE Project Group met with officials from Zhejiang University to discuss education and research cooperation and to explore the possibility of expanding joint programs. In particular, during a meeting with Professor An Seong-ho of Zhejiang University, they exchanged views on Korea–China academic exchanges and collaborative research. They reached a consensus on expanding student and researcher exchanges and on the potential for academic–industry linkage cooperation.

They also visited representative innovative companies in Hangzhou to conduct focused site visits to industries based on AI and Physical AI. At the electric vehicle company Jikeo Automobile, they observed intelligent production processes and unmanned manufacturing systems that use AI and robotic automation. At the headquarters of global platform company Alibaba, they examined AI- and cloud-based data platforms and examples of digital industrial ecosystem construction.

At Robam Electronics, a smart kitchen appliance company, they reviewed intelligent manufacturing and quality management systems that combine AI and IoT. At the robotics company Xinhokeji, they examined robotic technologies operating in real industrial and field environments and technical developments focused on Physical AI-based robot control and applications. They also visited BrainCo, a brain-science-based technology company, to discuss the potential convergence of AI with bio and health technologies.

On site, discussions with company representatives covered how AI and robotic technologies are applied in industry, research and development structures, technology commercialization strategies, and the convergent competencies required by future industries.

Jeong Taek-won, a student in the Department of Mechanical Design, College of Engineering, who participated in the program, said, “It was impressive to see how AI and robotic technologies are implemented in real industrial settings, especially Physical AI-based robot examples. I could feel how the theories we learn in our major connect to real industry.”

Son Jeong-min, Director of the JBNU RISE Project Group, said, “This visit provided an opportunity to observe the global industrial transformation centered on AI and robotics on site and to concretize the RISE Project’s education and research directions. We will continue to support students in developing the international competitiveness needed to lead future industries through cooperation with outstanding overseas universities and innovative companies.”

Meanwhile, based on the outcomes of this visit, the JBNU RISE Project Group plans to continuously expand international joint programs and practice-oriented education focused on AI, robotics, and smart manufacturing.