Duksung Women's University Selected for Ministry of Education's '2026 University AI Basic Curriculum Development Support Project'
Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
TLDR
- Duksung Women's University has been selected for the Ministry of Education's '2026 University AI Basic Curriculum Development Support Project'.
- The university will receive 300 million won for the first year to develop and operate AI basic curriculum, enhance faculty AI capabilities, and establish dedicated organizations.
- Duksung aims to build an integrated AI education system, fostering AI literacy, collaboration, and ethical capabilities for all students, with a focus on non-engineering majors.
Duksung Women's University is embarking on a significant initiative to integrate Artificial Intelligence into its core curriculum, a move that has earned it a prestigious selection for the Ministry of Education's '2026 University AI Basic Curriculum Development Support Project.' This achievement marks a crucial step in President Min Jae-hong's vision of establishing a 'Deokseong (Virtue) AI Initiative,' embedding AI across all facets of university operations. The university's proactive approach has been recognized, securing substantial funding to pioneer AI education.
The project, which aims to equip university students with essential AI competencies during this era of rapid technological transformation, will see Duksung receive 300 million won for its first year. This funding will be instrumental in developing and implementing a comprehensive AI basic curriculum, bolstering the AI skills of its faculty, and creating specialized organizational structures to support these efforts. The selection, placing Duksung among only six universities in the competitive Seoul metropolitan area, underscores its strong capabilities and commitment to AI-driven educational innovation.
This project selection is the first step in the 'Deokseong (Virtue) AI Initiative' that Duksung Women's University has been pursuing, and an important starting point for fully implementing people-centered AI education innovation in the university ํ์ฅ.
Duksung's strategy is particularly noteworthy for its inclusive approach. While many institutions focus AI education within engineering departments, Duksung plans to create an integrated AI education system that spans across all disciplines. This includes developing 11 new coursesโthree mandatory general education and eight core general education coursesโaimed at cultivating AI literacy, collaborative skills, and ethical awareness among all students. Furthermore, the university intends to develop specialized AI application modules tailored for non-engineering majors, such as English Language and Literature, Art History, International Trade, Fashion Design, and Textile Design, linking them to AI micro-degree certifications.
From the perspective of Hankyoreh, a publication committed to progressive values and educational advancement, Duksung's initiative represents a forward-thinking model for higher education in South Korea. While international media might focus on the global AI race, this story highlights a crucial domestic effort to democratize AI education. For Duksung and its students, particularly those in non-engineering fields, this project is not just about acquiring technical skills; it's about empowering them with the fundamental understanding and ethical framework needed to navigate an AI-driven future. The university's commitment to fostering AI literacy as a basic competency for all, while also addressing the gender gap in AI fields, is a commendable endeavor that aligns with broader societal goals of inclusivity and preparedness.
Duksung Women's University will support all students to acquire the basic competencies to understand and responsibly utilize AI, and will lead the university-level AI transformation model that encompasses general education, major education, and teaching and learning innovation.
Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.