Korea University College of Medicine and Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) have been selected for a new project under the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s 2026 Korea Medical Science & Technology (K-MediST) Program, supported by the Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI).
With their selection for the K-MediST initiative, the two institutions are expected to serve as a leading hub for strengthening the competitiveness of Korea’s biohealth industry through an innovative interdisciplinary model that bridges medicine and engineering.
The project will run for approximately five years, from April 1, 2026, through December 31, 2030. Through this initiative, the partnership aims to establish a leading model for integrated education and research in medical science and technology.
Establishing the Integrated Platform “KUNIST” for Education and Research
At the core of the initiative is the development of the “KUNIST Model,” an integrated platform built upon three key pillars: the cultivation of physician-scientists (MD-PhD) and biomedical scientists through a joint degree program; the establishment of a graduate student-centered joint research institute; and support for interdisciplinary research projects and technology commercialization.
A dedicated research facility spanning approximately 500 square meters will be established within the Chung Mong-Koo Future Medicine Center at Korea University’s Jeongneung Mediscience Park. The joint research institute will be closely connected to UNIST’s advanced computing infrastructure and high-performance analytical equipment, creating a seamless collaborative research environment.
The institutions also plan to operate a Data Living Lab, enabling real-time clinical data to be directly integrated into research activities. This initiative will create an optimal learning ecosystem where researchers can simultaneously engage with clinical practice and cutting-edge scientific research.
Specialized Curriculum Built Around Four Strategic Pillars
The educational program will be structured around four strategic pillars aligned with global trends in biomedical innovation: Medical AI, Precision Medicine, Smart Hospitals, and Robotics.
To maximize the effectiveness of interdisciplinary education, all courses will incorporate internationally validated instructional design methodologies. The curriculum will be tailored to individual learners’ competencies and research interests, fostering practical problem-solving skills that enable future physician-scientists to address unmet clinical challenges through engineering and technological innovation.
Benchmarking Harvard-MIT HST and Stanford BioX to Build a Global Research Network
The KUNIST initiative was designed through extensive benchmarking of two of the world’s most renowned physician-scientist training programs: the Harvard-MIT Health Sciences and Technology (HST) Program and Stanford University’s Bio-X Program.
Building upon these models, Korea University College of Medicine and UNIST plan to expand international collaborative research and academic exchange programs with leading global institutions. Through these efforts, the partners aim to enhance the quality, impact, and global competitiveness of Korean medical science research.
Professor Tae Hun Kim, who leads the project, stated, “By combining the outstanding clinical expertise that Korea University College of Medicine has cultivated over many years with UNIST’s world-class engineering capabilities, we have a unique opportunity to systematically train physician-scientists who will shape the future of Korea’s healthcare industry.”
He added, “Our goal extends beyond educational achievement. We are committed to building a sustainable medical science ecosystem that translates research into meaningful technology commercialization and tangible innovation in clinical practice.”