According to CNBC, South Korean chipmakers SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics are supporting university contract departments that help students move into AI and semiconductor jobs, with some programs offering scholarships and guaranteed employment. At Sogang University, a four-year system semiconductor engineering course created with SK Hynix guarantees a job at the company for students who meet academic requirements, while Sungkyunkwan University’s five-year intelligent software program with Samsung Electronics increases the chance of employment but requires students to clear a separate hiring process.
Data from Seoul-based Jongro Academy showed applications to contract departments tied to large companies rose more than 38% from a year earlier. Applications to Samsung Electronics contract departments increased 6.5% in the 2026 academic year, while SK Hynix-linked contract departments saw a 12.7% increase. Overall, Samsung Electronics contract courses had 13.44 applicants per spot, compared with 9.14 applicants for SK Hynix contract department courses.