- First official program since signing MOU in May... Successful launch of close industry-academia cooperation

- 30 current students visited Renault Korea Central Research Center to observe advanced testing facilities for collision, durability, NVH, etc.

- Plans to expand practical cooperation programs such as internships and expert lectures

On Tuesday, July 8, Kookmin University (President Jeong Seung-ryul) announced that it had successfully held the “Renault Korea Central Research Center (Renault Technology Korea) Tour,” the first official cooperation program following the signing of the “MOU for Industry-Academic Cooperation between Kookmin University and Renault Korea for Future Automotive Talent Development and Industrial Technology Development” with Renault Korea (CEO Stéphane Deblaise). This tour is a practical follow-up to the MOU signed on May 13 and marks a meaningful first step toward concrete cooperation between the two organizations.

On this day, 30 Kookmin University students visited the Renault Korea Central Research Center in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, to experience the core processes of automobile development firsthand. During the approximately two-hour tour, the students observed state-of-the-art testing facilities and processes, including collision tests, durability tests, noise and vibration (NVH) tests, and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) tests. Particularly, researchers from each field provided on-site explanations of the equipment and answered students' questions in real time, delivering hands-on, immersive education that received a warm response.

Participants for this program were recruited through Kookmin University's Career Development Support System (K-StarTrack), and registration closed within minutes of opening due to high interest from students. In addition, a satisfaction survey conducted after the tour showed that most of the participating students responded that they were “very satisfied” and expressed their expectations for future related programs, proving the effectiveness of practical education.

Yang Ji-hyun, Deputy Director of Kookmin University's Future Automotive Business Division, said

“This research institute tour was the first step in confirming that the MOU between Kookmin University and Renault Korea is not just a formal agreement, but a practical program that provides our students, who will lead the future automotive industry, with practical experience and motivation.” He also expressed his sincere gratitude to Renault Korea officials for their generous support and cooperation for this program, despite their busy schedules, in fostering future automotive talent. Additionally, it was announced that “we are currently pursuing concrete and diverse collaborative programs such as the winter internship program and special lectures by Renault Korea experts, and aim to provide a model case for nurturing future automotive talent by maximizing the synergistic effects of industry-academia collaboration.” Renault Korea Research Center Vice President Choi Sung-kyu said, “We hope that this tour of the Central Research Center will go beyond a simple visit and become an opportunity for students to experience the actual automobile development site and broaden their understanding of future technologies. Renault Korea considers it very important to provide practical experience and learning to the next generation of talent who will lead the future vehicle industry, and we will continue to actively contribute to talent cultivation through various industry-academia cooperation programs.”

Kookmin University and Renault Korea plan to continue their close collaboration through this program, aiming to cultivate practical talent in the future automotive field and enhance the competitiveness of the domestic automotive industry.