Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST; Korean:대구경북과학기술원) 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 established DGIST as a research institute in 2004. In 2008, the act was amended to expand the institute's role to include both research and education, which eventually enabled DGIST's transition from a research institute to a university.
History
In 2004, the Korean Government established DGIST as a research institute to promote national science and technology. It is located in Daegu to invigorate the local economy. The government amended the 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 was 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.
December 11, 2003
Enacted DGIST Act (Act No. 6996), which created the legal basis for the establishment of DGIST
September 03, 2004
First President Kyu-Suk Chung was inaugurated (research institute)
September 07, 2004
Registered the establishment of DGIST as a research institute
September 03, 2007
Second President In-Seon Lee was inaugurated (research institute)
June 13, 2008
Amended the DGIST Act (Act No. 9108) to allow DGIST to offer its educational (degree) programs
May 8, 2009
DGIST Vision & University Identity Proclamation Ceremony
November 22, 2010
Moved campus to current site in Hyeonpung
February 25, 2011
Dr. Sung-Chul Shin was inaugurated as founding president of university
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.
Under directive from the Ministry of Science and ICT, DGIST plans to establish a College of AI beginning in the spring semester of 2027. The college will focus on three main fields: Physical AI, AI-X, and Medical AI. The institution aims to enroll 100 undergraduate students during its launch semester, followed by an intake of 100 graduate students in the spring semester of 2028.
Undergraduate Program
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.
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.
Mechanism and Therapeutic Research for Treatment of Intractable Human Diseases, Brain Engineering, Intelligent Medical Imaging Systems and Analysis, Medical Robotics and Therapeutic Support Systems
In addition to the DGIST Convergence Research Institute, DGIST has infrastructure to support and facilitate research.
Center for Technology Commercialization
Tech Startup Promotion Team
Technology Commercialization Team
Center for Technology Startup Education
Technology Startup Education Team
Notable Events
DGIST was one of the hosts of the “World Engineering Education Forum and Global Engineering Deans Council (WEEF & GEDC) 2025,” held from September 21 to 25 at Daegu EXCO and DGIST campus. Co-hosted by the Korean Society for Engineering Education (KSEE), around 800 scholars gathered under the theme of “Engineering Education We Need.” WEEF & GEDC is one of the largest engineering education academic events, bringing together global engineering schools and industry stakeholders annually.
The forum was jointly organized by DGIST, KSEE, IFEES, and GEDC, with support from the Ministry of Science and ICT, the Ministry of Education, and Daegu Metropolitan City. Over 20 domestic and international companies and organizations—including Korea Circuit, iM Bank, Dassault Systèmes, LG Chem, Hyosung Heavy Industries, MathWorks, Celltrion, and Siemens—served as sponsors, supporting the forum's aim to promote collaboration between academia and industry.
In May 2026, DGIST hosted the Asian Engineering Deans' Summit (AEDS 2026) on its campus. The event focused on "Innovation in Engineering Education Utilizing AI," bringing together deans and representatives from 17 engineering universities across 9 Asian countries to discuss AI-driven transformations in education, future talent development strategies, and expanded inter-institutional cooperation.
People
DGIST had 3,368 total members as of October 2026. Those include 2,381 of students enrolled for the 2026 school year (1,182 Undergraduates, 475 Master's program students, 226 Ph.D. program students, 449 Integrated MS-PhD Program students and 49 Combined Undergraduate-Graduate Program). They also include 286 faculty, 308 researchers, and 393 of administrative staff working at DGIST.
DGIST has a total of 3,003 alumni, comprising 1,318 bachelor's, 1,119 master's, and 566 doctoral degree recipients (July 2026).
Presidents
Chung Kyu-Suk (2004–2007) 1st president of DGIST research institute
Lee In-Seon (ko) (2007–2011) 2nd president of DGIST research institute
Shin Sung-chul (2011–2017) 1st and 2nd president of DGIST University
Son Sang Hyuk (2017–2018) 3rd president of DGIST University
Kuk Young (2019–2023) 4th president of DGIST University
Lee Kunwoo (2023–current) 5th president of DGIST University
