Yonsei Institute of Convergence Technology (YICT) at Yonsei University was chosen by the Ministry of Knowledge and Economy to implement the government's IT Consilience Creative Program. This program is part of the ministry’s initiative to build a competitive equivalent of the ‘MIT Media Lab' in South Korea. Headed by the former Vice Chairman of Samsung Electronics, Lee Ki-Tae, the YICT at Yonsei U
niversity was chosen over other exceptional institutions including “the Human IT Research Center” at Seoul National University, “the Imagination Institute” at KAIST, “the KU Media Lab” at Korea University, and Pohang University of Science and Technology. In choosing the YICT, the Ministry of Knowledge and Economy noted the leadership and experience of Professor Lee (in the established success of the “Anycall” brand model) and Yonsei University’s independent and liberal philosophy for education and research as deciding factors. With the establishment of the Yonsei Institute of Convergence Technology, Yonsei University will offer a combined undergraduate/graduate engineering program. Starting in 2011, this combined program will seek to nurture “renaissance engineers” with the breadth of knowledge and expertise necessary to become innovative thinkers and problem-solvers in the emerging field of technological convergence. In accordance to the mission statement of TIF (Technology, Imagination, Future), the program’s curriculum will incorporate a broad and balanced study of technology, the humanities and the arts. Successful progress through the combined program will require 7 years, with 3 years for undergraduate study, and 4 years for completion of the Master's/Doctorate degree. The YICT program will receive an initial investment of 16,550 million won over the course of ten years, which will include corporate (9,240 million won), government (4,760 million won), and Yonsei University (2,550 million won) contributions. In accordance, the program will aggressively recruit exceptionally renowned faculty and researchers to match the competitively selected and highly qualified student candidates. The YICT program will hire up to 20 new faculty members, and 30 full-time researchers. Students will be supported with full scholarships, living expenses, and individualized 1:1 education and research regimes, as well as, opportunities for participation in various international exchange programs.
