LG Uplus has announced the launch of a new “Cybersecurity Department” in collaboration with Soongsil University, aimed at nurturing top-tier cybersecurity talent in South Korea.
Accepting its first batch of students this year, the Cybersecurity Department at Soongsil University is a contract program created in partnership with LG Uplus, which offers all new students full tuition coverage and living support up to their second year. Furthermore, students who meet the requirements and pass LG Uplus’ recruitment process after the second semester of their second year will also receive tuition for their third and fourth years, alongside practical support amounting to 300,000 KRW per month and mobile phone fees of 200,000 KRW per month.
With comprehensive tuition support and guaranteed employment at LG Uplus, the program attracted strong interest from students immediately upon its announcement. The expertise provided by a faculty with experience in conducting the first smartphone hacking demonstrations and AI hacking exhibitions in the country also resonated well with future cybersecurity professionals.
Reflecting its popularity, the Cybersecurity Department achieved impressive competitiveness during this year’s admission process, despite being newly established. The competitive ratio for regular admissions exceeded 10:1, while early admissions approached a staggering 20:1.
According to Soongsil University’s recent ‘2024 Admission Results,’ the Cybersecurity Department boasts the highest average scores among all departments at the university, with an average score of 91.9 points in the Korean, Math, and Exploration sections of the college entrance examination. This score is 4.4 points higher than that of the second-highest department.
Additionally, among students admitted through early admissions, many have outstanding achievements in major national hacking competitions such as the ‘Cyber Guardians Competition,’ ‘Embedded SW Competition,’ and ‘Cyber Attack Defense Conference.’
On the 28th, Soongsil University held an inaugural ceremony for the Cybersecurity Department at Seoul’s JW Marriott Hotel, inviting around 100 freshmen and their families. Attendees included Hong Kwan-hee, Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) of LG Uplus, President Jang Beom-sik of Soongsil University, and Department Head Lee Jung-hyun, who celebrated the establishment of the department and congratulated the new students.
Hong Kwan-hee expressed, “The Cybersecurity Department at Soongsil University is of significant importance as it is the first department of its kind established through collaboration between industry and academia. As we enter the age of AI, I hope you carry the pride that your growth as cybersecurity professionals will lead to the growth of both schools and enterprises and advance with vigor.
President Jang Beom-sik added, “Our university has trained over 10,000 software professionals over the past 54 years. We will implement special programs dedicated to the Cybersecurity Department including participation in international hacking defense competitions, short-term overseas training, industry-academia projects, and expert mentoring to cultivate cybersecurity talents.
Meanwhile, at the inaugural ceremony, LG Uplus presented all freshmen with high-spec laptops as welcome gifts. These laptops will also continue to be provided to future students of the Cybersecurity Department. LG Uplus plans to consistently enhance practical support for students, aiming to develop them into top-tier cybersecurity professionals in the country.
By Lee Sang-jin daedusj@autodiary.kr