Seoul: South Korea will launch an educational exchange program inviting students and faculty members from major American universities starting next year to receive short-term training in shipbuilding engineering, Seoul's trade ministry said Tuesday. The initiative comes as the two countries seek to deepen cooperation in the shipbuilding sector, which has emerged as a key point of discussion in ongoing bilateral tariff negotiations.
According to Yonhap News Agency, a new memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed among Seoul National University, San Diego State University, and HD Hyundai Co., as reported by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. Beginning in 2026, 20 to 30 students and faculty specializing in shipbuilding engineering will be invited to South Korea for short-term training sessions hosted by Seoul National University. HD Hyundai will also provide practical on-site design training for the participants.
The agreement builds on a similar partnership signed in July 2024 among Seoul National University, the University of Michigan, and Korea Shipbuilding and Offshore Engineering Co. The two countries plan to gradually expand the scope of cooperation beyond academia to include ship design professionals at U.S. shipyards, the ministry added.