Ministry of Science and ICT selects two consortia for blockchain training

The Ministry of Science and ICT has selected two university-industry consortia to launch a blockchain-specialised university programme, according to a ministry release, with 700 million won allocated for its first year.

The ministry and the Korea Internet & Security Agency, or KISA, selected the Seoul Women's University consortium and the Incheon Techno Park consortium to operate the scheme. Five universities are involved: Seoul Women's University, Konyang University and Hansei University in the first group, and Incheon University and Inha University in the second.

The ministry held a plaque-awarding ceremony on Aug. 5 at the Blockchain Business Growth Hub in Songpa-gu in Seoul to mark the programme's launch and share curriculum operating plans.

The institutions will offer specialised courses, including blockchain micro-degrees, for undergraduate, master's and doctoral students, covering basic theory, decentralised identity authentication, smart contracts and digital finance. Programmes will combine industry-linked courses with company-demand-based projects and internships, alongside blockchain competitions and exchange programmes with overseas universities for participating students.

Created this year, the programme is intended to develop blockchain specialists with the expertise and practical skills required by industry. Under the two-year project, the first-year term runs from the agreement date through Dec. 31, 2026, and recipients may receive support for up to four years after performance evaluations.

The ministry plans to expand short, intensive workplace-focused training for existing software developers and education for top-tier blockchain specialists in stages. It also plans to use university ICT research centres and regional ICT Innovation Squares to keep strengthening the infrastructure for training core blockchain talent.