Gachon University will open Korea’s first practice-oriented AI Semiconductor Design Professional Graduate School in March next year, with an enrollment capacity of 30 students. The university announced Monday that applications for the inaugural master’s program class for the 2027 academic year will be accepted from Oct. 19 through Nov. 2. The move responds to the spread of physical AI across industries, driving a shift from large-scale training toward inference-focused implementation and growing demand for engineers capable of designing low-power, high-efficiency on-device AI semiconductors. The curriculum follows a project-based model covering the full design cycle, from design and verification through physical implementation to tape-out. Degrees will be awarded through a graduation project review rather than a thesis, and patent applications will be mandatory. The program runs on a six-quarter semester system, with two courses per quarter and 12 courses total over two years. Students admitted in this year’s recruitment round will receive full tuition scholarships, with additional incentive scholarships available for achievements such as publication in international academic journals or awards at international competitions, along with scholarships linked to industry-academic partner companies. Gachon University hosted the CES 2026 Fabless Summit Korea on March 4, expanding ties with domestic AI-focused fabless companies. Distinguished Professor Kim Yong-seok said the school will train AI semiconductor design specialists who can contribute immediately on the factory floor. Admissions will be conducted in three rounds.