Koreatech Internships Hailed by Employers, Drive Student Success

CHEONAN, South Korea – Korea University of Technology and Education (Koreatech) has once again demonstrated the effectiveness of its Industry Professional Practice (IPP) program, with employers highly commending the practical skills of its student interns and the program’s significant contribution to graduate employment. On April 8, 2026, Koreatech celebrated its successful industry partnerships and outstanding student achievements at the 2026 Spring Field Internship Excellent Companies and Students Awards Ceremony.

Participating companies lauded the IPP students for their exceptional adaptability and practical competencies in real-world settings. Seo Jung-wook, Director at Precis, a semiconductor vacuum valve manufacturer in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, praised Koreatech students for their ability to quickly integrate into the organization. He highlighted a student who proactively designed and introduced an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), significantly contributing to the company’s organizational culture. Precis, which hosts four Koreatech students annually, recently hired one intern. Similarly, Hankook Biochemi Pharmaceutical, a leading drug manufacturer, also hired one Koreatech IPP student after signing a talent development agreement last June, with CEO Song Won-ho commending their passion and experimental spirit.

The awards ceremony, held at the Dasan Information Center Auditorium, recognized seven companies for their continuous engagement in long and short-term internships and their commitment to hiring top talent. These included Hankook Biochemi Pharmaceutical, Design Issue, Shinheung Chemical, Waveroad, Precis, KB Wiper System, and Power Auto Robotics. KB Wiper System and Power Auto Robotics, for instance, have hired one and two Koreatech IPP students, respectively, into full-time positions, with plans to continue their collaboration. Fifteen students were also honored for their outstanding internship experiences, with Byun Harim (Business Administration) receiving the Grand Prize for long-term IPP at KOTRA, and Park Hansol (Mechatronics Engineering) receiving the Grand Prize for short-term internships at Wirobotics.

Koreatech pioneered the Korean-style cooperative education program (Co-op) – known as IPP – in 2012, making it the first university in the nation to do so. The program has seen remarkable participation, with 459 students taking part in 2025, accounting for over half of all graduates. This reflects the highest IPP participation rate among third and fourth-year students nationwide. The university’s commitment to practical education directly translates into career success: Koreatech ranked first among all four-year universities in Korea for graduate employment in 2024, boasting an 82.8% employment rate. Notably, IPP participants achieved an 88.0% employment rate, 10.9 percentage points higher than non-participants (77.1%), underscoring the program’s vital role in enhancing employability.

Vice President Oh Chang-heon affirmed the university’s dedication to expanding its structured field internship programs, ensuring students acquire essential competencies for a rapidly evolving industrial landscape. Following the awards, two briefing sessions on the 2026 second-half long and short-term field internship programs were held, attracting approximately 400 students keen to learn about future opportunities. Students interested in applying for these programs or learning more can contact the IPP Center directly.

Source: 고용노동부 — Original Article (Korean)