Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology

About

Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST; Korean: ) 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, 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.

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 (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. The current president is Dr. Kunwoo Lee, who assumed office in December 2023.

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.

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: Physics, Semiconductor Physics, Applied Physics, Optics, Quantum Information Science, Biophysics Chemistry: Collaborative research centered upon chemistry Life Science: Food Security and Eco-Plants, Disease Control and Aging Management, Multiomics and AI Bioinformatics Brain Sciences: (track established in 2025) Engineering Tracks

Mechanical Engineering: Robotic Mechanics, Robotic Electronics, Robotic Intelligence Electronic Engineering: Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science Field, Electrical and Electronic Devices and Circuits, EE Systems Chemical Engineering: Solar Energy Conversion, Fuel Cells & Electrolyzers, Batteries, Modeling & Simulation, Catalyst Engineering, Energy Harvesting, Displays & Soft Electronics Computer Engineering: Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science Field, Electrical and Electronic Devices and Circuits, EE Systems Materials Science and Engineering: New Materials, Biomaterials, Nano Materials, Functional Materials, Flexible Materials Self-Designed Track 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.

Adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA). Photography via Wikimedia Commons.