UNIST and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) have established a joint education and research center focused on advancing AI transformation (AX) in the shipbuilding industry through integrated industry-academia collaboration.

On May 11, the two institutions signed an agreement at the UNIST Pioneers Campus to celebrate the launch of HD HHI × UNIST AX Education Research Center, a new platform designed to connect UNIST’s AI research and education capabilities with real-world manufacturing challenges in the shipbuilding sector.

The center will identify practical AI applications directly from industrial production environments and expand them into joint research projects, technical consulting, and manufacturing process validation. The initiative aims to accelerate the adoption of AI technologies applicable to shipbuilding, engine systems, and industrial manufacturing operations.

The collaboration grew out of earlier discussions between UNIST and HD HHI Engine & Machinery Division (HHI-EMD) on strengthening AI-driven industrial innovation. Both institutions recognized the need for field-oriented AX strategies that combine workforce education with applied research capable of addressing operational challenges on-site.

Unlike conventional collaborations centered on individual laboratories, the new center will operate through a university-wide framework intended to support sustained faculty participation and long-term industry partnership development.

As part of the initiative, UNIST will provide an advanced AI education program linked to Novatus Academia for HD HHI employees. The curriculum will focus on AI applications for manufacturing and industrial systems, linking education directly with joint research and implementation projects. UNIST also plans to connect the initiative with existing programs, including the UNIST Novatus Graduate School and the AI Executive Program.

“This center represents a practice-oriented model of industry-academia collaboration aimed at solving real industrial challenges through AI,” said Vice President Hyun Sil Ahn for Research Affairs at UNIST. “By combining UNIST’s AI research capabilities with HD HHI’s operational expertise, we hope to accelerate AI transformation across the shipbuilding industry.”

A representative from HD HHI said the partnership will help strengthen practical AI adoption and workforce capabilities across the company while contributing to broader industrial innovation in the sector.

UNIST has continued expanding industry-focused AI education and research initiatives through programs, such as Novatus Academia. The launch of this AX Education Research Center further strengthens the university’s efforts to support AI-driven industrial innovation across Southeast Korea’s manufacturing industries.