Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST)

GIST is a research-oriented national university of science and technology located in Gwangju, South Korea. Established in 1993, GIST was founded with the support of the Korean government to meet the nation's demand for advanced research and to promote higher education in science and engineering. Since then, GIST has demonstrated excellence in education and research despite its relatively short history.

GIST began as a graduate school-focused research university and now operates various majors including the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical and Robotics Engineering, Environment and Energy Engineering, Life Sciences, Integrated Technology, Physics and Chemistry, Biomedical Science and Engineering, Semiconductor Engineering, and the AI Graduate School. These departments actively support cutting-edge research fields.

All courses at GIST are taught in English. This enables students from various countries to adapt more easily and supports interdisciplinary courses and credit transfer, maximizing academic experiences across different fields. The curriculum offers a balanced opportunity to learn both theory and practice. Students receive education based on the latest research findings, acquiring knowledge and skills applicable to actual research settings.

Additionally, GIST provides students with diverse international experiences through exchange programs with leading universities and research institutions worldwide. The undergraduate program, established in 2010, supports the cultivation of interdisciplinary talent. In addition to a deep and diverse curriculum in science and engineering, students are also offered courses in humanities, social sciences, and arts.

GIST supports various student-driven extracurricular activities and projects such as entrepreneurship, offering rich opportunities for growth. Various scholarship and financial support programs help students focus on their studies without financial burden. The university's strengths also include dormitories, childcare centers, and support for various cultural activities.

GIST excels in establishing an AI infrastructure recognized globally as a game-changer. GIST has built a comprehensive ladder for AI talent development, starting from the AI gifted school to the AI Policy Strategy Graduate School. This provides an environment where talented students in the AI field can systematically grow. The synergy of AI research and development is further enhanced through the semiconductor FAB and High Performance Computing (HPC) facilities. This infrastructure plays a significant role in GIST’s prominence and global competitiveness in the AI field.

GIST's research capabilities are highly regarded worldwide. GIST is also renowned for the excellence of its faculty. Many faculty members have obtained their degrees from prestigious universities such as Harvard, Caltech, MIT, Cambridge, Princeton, and UC Berkeley, and they conduct leading research in their respective fields. Under the guidance of these faculty members, GIST students can gain world-class education and research experience.

GIST faculty members conduct various joint research projects with world-leading universities such as MIT and Imperial College London. The Advanced Photonics Research Institute (APRI) at GIST has strengths in laser science, developing world-class laser technologies.

Additionally, the GIST institute for Research Facilities provides advanced research instruments and equipment, and the High Performance Computing (HPC) system supports a wide range of interdisciplinary research. GIST researchers achieve outstanding research outcomes in this optimal research environment, receiving high evaluations in the international academic community.

GIST is also strong in deep-tech startups, with active faculty and student entrepreneurship. Some of these startups have even been listed on KOSDAQ, and GIST has been recognized by leading South Korean media for its excellence in fostering startups.