Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST; Korean: 대구경북과학기술원) is a public science and engineering university located on Daegu Technopolis, Daegu, South Korea.[1] DGIST is one of the four public universities in South Korea dedicated to research in science and technology, along with KAIST, GIST, and UNIST. Under the Special Act on Support of Scientists and Engineers for Strengthening National Science and Technology Competitiveness, the Korean government enacted the Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology Act (Act No. 6996) and founded DGIST in 2004 as a research institute. In 2008, the act was amended to extend the role of the institute to both research and education, which eventually enabled a transition from research institute to university for DGIST.
History
In 2004, the Korean Government established DGIST as a research institute to promote national science and technology. It located the institute in Daegu to invigorate the local economy.[2] The government amended DGIST Act in 2008, enabling the institute to offer educational (degree) programs.
Kyu-Suk Chung, the first president of the institute, was appointed in 2004 when it was still a research institute. The second president was In Seon Lee, who appointed in 2007. Dr. Sang Hyuk Son served as the third president starting in 2017. Dr. Young Kuk, was appointed in 2019.
December 11, 2003
Enacted DGIST Act (Act No. 6996,) which created the legal basis for the establishment of DGIST
September 03, 2004
First President Kyu-Suk Chung was Inaugurated (research institute)
September 07, 2004
Registered the Establishment of DGIST as a research institute
September 03, 2007
Second President In-Seon Lee was Inaugurated (research institute)
June 13, 2008
Amended the DGIST Act (Act No. 9108) to allow DGIST to offer its educational (degree) programs
May 8, 2009
DGIST Vision & University Identity Proclamation Ceremony
November 22, 2010
Moved Campus to Current Site in Hyeonpung
February 25, 2011
Dr. Sung-Chul Shin was inaugurated as founding president of university
The School of Undergraduate Studies was opened in 2014 under the College of Transdisciplinary Studies.
A distinctive feature of DGIST’s undergraduate program[16] is its open academic structure. Students are not required to declare a specific major at the time of admission and are encouraged to explore multiple disciplines.
Degree options are available as a single major, a double major, or a combination of one major and one minor. Areas of study include fields in the natural sciences—such as physics, chemistry, life science, and brain sciences—and in engineering, including mechanical engineering, electronics engineering, chemical engineering, computer science and engineering, and materials science and engineering.
In addition to the DGIST Convergence Research Institute, DGIST has infrastructure to support and facilitate research.
Center for Technology Commercialization
Tech Startup Promotion Team
Technology Commercialization Team
Center for Technology Startup Education
Technology Startup Education Team
People
DGIST had 2,119 total members as of April 2019. Those include 1,486 of students enrolled for the 2019 school year (807 Undergraduates, 375 Master's program students, 177 Ph.D. program students, 75 Integrated MS-PhD Program students and 52 Combined Undergraduate-Graduate Program). They also include 207 faculty, 205 researchers, and 221 of administrative staff working at DGIST.
Presidents
Chung Kyu-Suk (2004–2007) 1st president of DGIST research institute
Lee In-Seon (ko) (2007–2011) 2nd president of DGIST research institute
Shin Sung-chul (2011–2017) 1st and 2nd president of DGIST University
Son Sang Hyuk (2017–2018) 3rd president of DGIST University
Kuk Young (2019–2023) 4th president of DGIST University
Lee Kun Woo (2023–current) 5th president of DGIST University
