30% of freshmen selected for ‘self-designed majors’
Emphasis on creativity, expertise, and entrepreneurial spirit

Collaboration with Volkswagen, education and internships in Germany
Secured 10 billion won research contract for ‘Cryptography Department’
Plans to introduce quantum computers and establish a Quantum Convergence Department

Green plaques hung throughout the campus of Kookmin University in Jeongneung, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, during a visit on the 18th of last month. They bore the bold white inscription: ‘Entrepreneurship, Kookmin University’. Created at the behest of President Jeong Seung Ryul (63), who took office in 2023, they aim to instill a spirit of challenge in students.

Kookmin University is known for its specialization in automotive and design fields and its active industry-academic collaboration. In 2019, it surprised the academic world by ranking first nationwide in technology transfer income (the amount received for transferring R&D results to companies), surpassing Seoul National University and KAIST. Its 2023 employment rate (70.5%) ranked 9th among major universities in the Seoul metropolitan area.

This year alone, the university secured government project contracts worth 134.4 billion won in fields like AI and bio. In last year's JoongAng Ilbo university rankings, it achieved its highest-ever position at 13th place. In this year's early admissions, the competition ratio for the Business Administration major in the College of Business (321:1) ranked first among all liberal arts departments nationwide. We asked President Chung, who is halfway through his term, about Kookmin University's current status and vision. The following is a Q&A with him.

Q. The competition rate for early admissions has risen significantly.

A. "Starting with the 2025 academic year, we selected 30% of freshmen through the autonomous major selection system (no major). We analyzed data in advance to create our own system that prevents too many students from crowding into popular majors. It also acts as a mentor, guiding students on which courses to take to study their intended major. Our unique ‘Omega (Ω) School System’ allows students admitted to one major to transfer to their desired department upon graduation. Building an educational ecosystem without boundaries between majors is Kookmin University's ultimate goal."

Q. Students receive education and internships in Germany.

A. "A boundary-free educational ecosystem is necessary not only between majors but also across the world and regions. More international students should come to our university, and Kookmin students must keep knocking on doors for overseas employment. The Volkswagen Group selects 10 students for the German non-profit coding school Wolfsburg42, covering their living expenses for a year and providing education. Participating students have consistently won awards at local hackathons over the past few years. As a result, more students are securing internships at Volkswagen or landing jobs at multinational automotive companies."

Q. Since taking office, you've emphasized entrepreneurship.

A. "Kookmin University emphasizes community spirit and pragmatism as its educational philosophy, based on the founding principles of independence activist Shin Ik Hee (1894–1956) and Ssangyong Group founder Kim Sung Kon (1913–75). Expertise is essential for entrepreneurship, and the capacity for innovation—creativity—is also indispensable. Beyond that, an undaunted spirit of challenge and a willingness to embrace failure are also crucial.“
Information Security, Cryptography and Mathematics

Q. After the Mathematics Department transitioned to the Information Security, Cryptography and Mathematics Department, it secured defense technology research contracts worth 10 billion won.

A. ”The former Mathematics Department underwent self-restructuring. About nine years later, it has grown to a level where we can confidently claim to be the top in Korea in the field of cryptography. The core of this growth is strengthening competitiveness for industry-academia collaboration. While many universities established technology holding companies, capital erosion is common. Kookmin University maintains a virtuous cycle: leveraging the technology holding company to connect research outcomes to tech startups, then reinvesting profits back into the university. When professors conduct research within departments, we actively support them to secure world-class patents. When I took office, the technology holding company had about 30 subsidiaries; within roughly two years, that number has already surpassed 50."

Q. You're also pursuing the construction of a quantum computer.

A. "The ‘Quantum Revolution’ is imminent. Kookmin University received Level 2 security certification in quantum cryptography technology from the National Cyber Security Center of the National Intelligence Service last December. Government officials and lawmakers visit to see Kookmin's technology. We will use this as a catalyst to expand research fields based on quantum computers. We will bring in a quantum computer within six months. We are negotiating to build a model with ten times the information processing capacity of other universities' quantum computers. We plan to establish a Department of Quantum Convergence afterward. We have already begun discussions with overseas companies like Amazon and IBM to jointly develop curricula. Research areas can also expand into bio/pharmacy, business/logistics, and more."

Q. What do you absolutely want to accomplish during your term?

A. "I want to elevate the university to the ranks of the world's top leading institutions, competing not just domestically but with overseas universities. I believe becoming a ‘top 500 global university’ within 4-5 years is achievable as a university strong in education, research, and global outreach. Recognizing that students must be globally competitive, we newly launched KIBS (Kookmin International Business School) as an independent college where all classes are conducted 100% in English. Similar international curricula are being prepared for engineering and life sciences. We will create a virtuous cycle by developing programs capable of securing large-scale research projects worth over 10 billion won, leveraging them as growth engines. I aim to achieve our goals by harnessing the collective intelligence of our academic committee members. Next year marks our 80th anniversary. We will soon announce a mid-to-long-term development plan embodying our vision to be ‘a university setting the standard for higher education.’"

Jeong Seung Ryul, President of Kookmin University = A native of Daegu, he graduated from Sogang University's Department of Economics in 1985. He then earned his master's and doctoral degrees in Management Information Systems from the University of Wisconsin and the University of South Carolina, respectively. After his studies abroad, he worked for three years at Samsung SDS's Consulting Business Division before joining Kookmin University as a professor in the College of Business Administration in 1997. After serving as Director of External Affairs, Director of Planning, and Vice President, he was inaugurated as the 13th President on September 13, 2023.