Kumoh National Institute of Technology has been selected for a third consecutive year as the private university to operate the Defense Project Manager certification course run by the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, cementing its role as a regional hub for training defense-industry specialists.
On the 12th, Kumoh said the Defense Project Manager credential is a national qualification that certifies advanced knowledge in the defense industry. Since 2024, the Defense Project Education Institute under the Defense Acquisition Program Administration has designated private universities to run the program and develop experts.
Kumoh has been chosen every year since the program began, earning three straight selections. It produced six successful candidates in 2024 and led the nation in 2025 with seven passers—the most among 14 operating institutions.
Among the nine universities selected this year, Kumoh is the only domestic institution that employs full-time faculty qualified to teach the specialized curriculum directly. That human capital is a key driver of higher-quality instruction.
The Defense Project Manager certificate can give defense contractors extra points when submitting proposals or undergoing evaluations, making it a crucial credential. It also provides job seekers with a strong competitive edge in the defense sector.
The Advanced Defense Industry Convergence Center, managed by the university's Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation, will offer tailored training this year for students and employees of regional defense firms. From the 18th through late July, it will run daytime courses for students and evening courses for working professionals.
Kumoh will also serve as the lead university for the 2026 Regional Hub Defense Industry Specialist Training Project.
Choi Heon-woong, director of the Advanced Defense Industry Convergence Center, said, \"Drawing on our university's defense expertise and hands-on training capabilities, we will develop personnel ready for immediate deployment to defense industry sites. We will faithfully serve as a catalyst to strengthen the competitiveness of the regional defense sector.\"
