Gwangju, South Korea – The Gwangju Information & Culture Industry Promotion Agency (GICON) announced on November 11th that it has secured an additional 210 million KRW (approximately 160,000 USD) in national funding for the ICT Innovation Square Expansion Project. This achievement follows the project's recognition as an outstanding program in the annual evaluation conducted by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the National IT Industry Promotion Agency (NIPA).

The ICT Innovation Square Expansion Project, launched in 2020, aims to 활성화 SW and AI education and nurture professionals in the field. Currently operating in four regions – Honam, Southeast, Northeast, and Chungcheong – GICON serves as the leading organization for the Honam region.

In this year's evaluation, the Honam region's project received high scores for its operation of programs in partnership with major digital tech companies and leading local enterprises, its AI-specialized talent startup support program, and its support for exchanges centered on ICT complex facility utilization and digital new technology developers.

The project has demonstrated high participation rates, with a cumulative user count of 250,497 over the past five years. It has also exceeded its targets in various areas, including:

6,267 individuals trained in digital new technologies
335 individuals completing long-term AI and SW training
150 individuals receiving customized manpower training support for businesses
41 cases of educational course material development
Education satisfaction rate of over 92 points
13 cases of AI startup support
11 cases of intellectual property rights applications
267 cases of popularization and dissemination
These achievements have been recognized as significant contributions to the growth of the local SW and AI industries.

Lee Kyung-joo, head of GICON, stated, "Through the ICT Innovation Square Expansion Project, we have nurtured regional growth engines and future digital talent." He added, "We will strive to establish a virtuous cycle system that enables graduates to find employment in digital companies and create a talent development ladder and a Honam Silicon Valley through support for various startup programs."

This additional funding will enable GICON to further enhance the ICT Innovation Square Expansion Project and continue its efforts in fostering a thriving digital ecosystem in the Honam region.