Freshmen of Ajou University’s newly-created Department of AI Mobility Engineering participated in the 2023 global mobility short-term training program at the University of Michigan during the summer vacation. The program was designed to provide students with international experience and expand academic exchange between the two universities. 

The training session was conducted at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, Michigan, from July 19 to 25, for which a total of 20 first-year students of the Department of AI Mobility Engineering were selected through an application-screening process. The training session was participated in by Prof. Song Bongsop, chair of the Department of AI Mobility Engineering, Prof. So Jaehyun of the Department of Transportation System Engineering, and six graduate students of the Department of D.N.A. Plus Convergence. 

The participants learned about mobility by attending a seminar given by specialists in the field and touring the university’s facilities. 

In the specialist seminar, consisting of five sessions, faculty of the University of Michigan and Mando America Engineering Manager Kim Seong-ju gave lectures. From the university, Prof. Henry Liu of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Prof. Peter Seiler of the Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, and Prof. Anouck Girard of the Department of Aerospace Engineering were speakers. 

The specialists introduced students to control technology, tire-road friction control systems, and auto industry trends in North America. 

Students visited University of Michigan Mcity’s autonomous vehicle test facility, the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, and General Motors’ headquarters, where they learned about the past, present, and future of mobility.

One of the training participants, Eom Yu-jin, said, “As freshman, I feel more familiar with the department now that I have attended this overseas training session with my classmates. I also feel that I must learn more foreign languages to expand my horizon to the wider world.”

Meanwhile, President Choi Kee-choo visited the University of Michigan and talked with students, giving them some words of encouragement, while he was on a trip to the United States. 

President Choi said, “I hope this experience helps you pursue your dreams, be courageous and active in exploring your careers, and grow as global Ajou members. ”

Ajou University sponsored the cost of the training session for students. 

The Department of AI Mobility Engineering was created last year and began recruiting students for the first semester this year with the aim of cultivating talented individuals in the area of high-tech industrial convergence who will go on to lead the mobility industry, which integrates vehicles, robots, and transportation. The Department of D.N.A. Plus Convergence can enroll up to 40 students. For 2024, the Department of AI Mobility Engineering will recruit a total 40 students, including 27 through rolling admission and 13 through regular admission. These newly-created high-tech engineering departments, including the Department of AI Mobility Engineering, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, and Department of Intelligence Semiconductor Engineering, will offer to waive students’ tuition for one year and guarantee a spot in the dormitory (through High-tech Talent Scholarship A) (only for students who was admitted initially).

# Ajou University YouTube channel: watch a video clip on the Department of AI Mobility Engineering

# Ajou University blog: Introduction to the Department of AI Mobility Engineering and recommended books

Students of the Department of AI Mobility Engineering arriving at the University of Michigan

Prof. Peter Seiler of the University of Michigan giving a lecture

Students on a tour of the Henry Ford Museum

Ajou University AI mobility engineering students at the Henry Ford Museum

 AI mobility engineering students on a tour of a research facility of the University of Michigan

Students at the General Motors headquarters

AI mobility engineering students with Prof. Henry Liu of the University of Michigan at the Mcity Test Facility

# Ajou University blog: go to photo sketch, “Global Mobility Overseas Training”