Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology
Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology is a public science and engineering university located on Daegu Technopolis, Daegu, South Korea. DGIST is one of the four public universities in South Korea dedicated to research in science and technology, along with KAIST, Gwangju [Institute of Science and Technology|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 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. The government amended DGIST Act in 2008, enabling the institute to offer educational 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. The current president is Dr. Kunwoo Lee, who assumed office in December 2023.
| December 11, 2003 | Enacted DGIST Act which created the legal basis for the establishment of DGIST |
| September 03, 2004 | First President Kyu-Suk Chung was Inaugurated |
| September 07, 2004 | Registered the Establishment of DGIST as a research institute |
| September 03, 2007 | Second President In-Seon Lee was Inaugurated |
| June 13, 2008 | Amended the DGIST Act to allow DGIST to offer its educational 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 |
| December 14, 2011 | Established the Korea Brain Research Institute, affiliated institute of DGIST |
| July 16, 2012 | Established the DGIST-Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Joint Research Center |
| October 08, 2012 | Established the Center for Plant Aging-Research, Institute for Basic Science |
| October 30, 2012 | Established the Cyber Physical Systems Global Center |
| February 26, 2015 | Dr. Sung-Chul Shin was inaugurated as the Second President of university |
| April 01, 2015 | Established DGIST Convergence Research Institute |
| April 19, 2016 | Established Core Protein Resources Center |
| October 19, 2016 | Established Well Aging Research Center |
| March 22, 2017 | Dr. Sang Hyuk Son was inaugurated as the third president of university |
| April 01, 2019 | Dr. Young Kuk was inaugurated as the fourth president of university |
| December 01, 2023 | Dr. Kunwoo Lee was inaugurated as the fifth president of university |
Academics
The graduate program was established in 2011, followed by the opening of the School of Undergraduate Studies in 2014 under the College of Transdisciplinary Studies.For the early 2026 undergraduate admissions cycle, DGIST recorded a competition ratio of 27.85 to 1. A total of 6,182 applications were submitted for 222 undergraduate positions, representing a 23.4% increase in applications compared to the previous year. DGIST has recorded the highest competition ratio among science and engineering universities for three consecutive years.
Undergraduate Program
A distinctive feature of DGIST's undergraduate program 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.
Natural Sciences Tracks
- : Physics, Semiconductor Physics, Applied Physics, Optics, Quantum Information Science, Biophysics
- : Collaborative research centered upon chemistry
- : Food Security and Eco-Plants, Disease Control and Aging Management, Multiomics and AI Bioinformatics
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- : Robotic Mechanics, Robotic Electronics, Robotic Intelligence
- : Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science Field, Electrical and Electronic Devices and Circuits, EE Systems
- : Solar Energy Conversion, Fuel Cells & Electrolyzers, Batteries, Modeling & Simulation, Catalyst Engineering, Energy Harvesting, Displays & Soft Electronics
- : Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science Field, Electrical and Electronic Devices and Circuits, EE Systems
- : New Materials, Biomaterials, Nano Materials, Functional Materials, Flexible Materials
DGIST offers students the option to design individualized majors, allowing them to incorporate courses from DGIST as well as online courses or programs from other institutions. This approach enables a flexible and customized educational experience.
Graduate Program
The Graduate School has been offering Master's and Doctoral Degree Programs, including integrated MS-PhD programs.Departments and Key Research Areas'
Physics, Chemistry, Nano-Bio Convergence Materials, Creative Materials Theory
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Robotic Systems, Mechatronics & Control, Soft Robotics, Microrobotics & MEMS, Wearable Devices, Artificial Intelligence, Robot Vision & Imaging
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Neurodegeneration and Metabolism, Sensory Biology and Circadian Rhythm, Synapse Neuroscience, Neural Circuits and Behaviors, Computational Neuroscience, Biophysics and Quantum Biology, High-level Cognitive Neuroscience
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Interdisciplinary Studies '
Intelligence Mobilities, Emerging Materials & Components Advanced Biotechnology
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Mechanism and Therapeutic Research for Treatment of Intractable Human Diseases, Brain Engineering, Intelligent Medical Imaging Systems and Analysis, Medical Robotics and Therapeutic Support Systems
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Department of Advanced Technology
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Research
Research infrastructure
In addition to the DGIST Convergence Research Institute, DGIST has infrastructure to support and facilitate research.Notable Events
DGIST was one of the hosts of the “World Engineering Education Forum and Global Engineering Deans Council 2025,” held from September 21 to 25 at Daegu EXCO and DGIST campus. Co-hosted by the Korean Society for Engineering Education, around 800 scholars gathered under the theme of “Engineering Education We Need.” WEEF & GEDC is one of the largest engineering education academic events, bringing together global engineering schools and industry stakeholders annually.The forum was jointly organized by DGIST, KSEE, IFEES, and GEDC, with support from the Ministry of Science and ICT, the Ministry of Education, and Daegu Metropolitan City. Over 20 domestic and international companies and organizations—including Korea Circuit, iM Bank, Dassault Systèmes, LG Chem, Hyosung Heavy Industries, MathWorks, Celltrion, and Siemens—served as sponsors, supporting the forum's aim to promote collaboration between academia and industry.
People
DGIST had 2,895 total members as of March 2024. Those include 2,091 of students enrolled for the 2025 school year. They also include 206 faculty, 256 researchers, and 342 of administrative staff working at DGIST.DGIST has a total of 2,162 alumni, comprising 956 bachelor's, 844 master's, and 362 doctoral degree recipients.
Presidents
- Chung Kyu-Suk 1st president of DGIST research institute
- Lee In-Seon 2nd president of DGIST research institute
- Shin Sung-chul 1st and 2nd president of DGIST University
- Son Sang Hyuk 3rd president of DGIST University
- Kuk Young 4th president of DGIST University
- Lee Kunwoo 5th president of DGIST University