It was a true honor for the University of Rijeka to welcome the representatives of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, the world’s largest shipbuilding company and a major heavy equipment manufacturer, with headquarters in Ulsan, South Korea. Founded in 1972, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries became the world’s number one shipyard in just 10 years, making Korea a global leader in shipbuilding. Today, the company is the world’s largest shipyard as an industry leader in the ship construction, offshore plant, and engine and machinery sectors. They are also shaping change in the future maritime industry through ongoing technological innovation and the development of environmentally friendly and digital solutions.
While the other side of the Korean team visited the 3. Maj shipyard, the representatives of the University of Rijeka welcomed Mr. Kyunghoon Yeum, Manager, Domestic & Overseas MRO Department, Naval & Special Ship Business Unit, and Mr. Noh Jae-hyun, Senior Manager, Sales – International Defense Program. At the UNIRI Rectorate, the guests were welcomed by:
- Prof. Goran Vukelić, Ph.D., Vice-Rector for Strategic Projects,
- Prof. Lado Kranjčević, Ph.D., Dean, Faculty of Engineering,
- Prof. Ana Perić Hadžić, Ph.D., Dean, Faculty of Maritime Studies,
- Prof. Zoran Jurković, Ph.D., Vice-Dean for Business and Cooperation with the Economy, Faculty of Engineering,
- Prof. Jonatan Lerga, Ph.D., Vice-Dean for Academic Affairs, Faculty of Engineering,
- Assoc. Prof. Marko Gulić, Ph.D., Vice-Dean for Academic Affairs, Faculty of Maritime Studies, and
- Assoc. Prof. Srđan Žuškin, Ph.D., Vice-Dean for Professional Development, Faculty of Maritime Studies.
The visit of HHI representatives is part of their larger project in Croatia. Namely, the Croatian Navy should soon receive two corvettes equipped with modern anti-ship, anti-submarine, and anti-aircraft weapons. The Croatian Ministry of Defence is currently negotiating with several shipyards from several European and world countries that have met the required conditions, including South Korean Hyundai. In addition to cooperation at the state level, HHI also aims to develop cooperation with the academic sector, so the aim of their visit to the University of Rijeka was to explore opportunities for cooperation.
The meeting was a perfect opportunity to discuss the possible exchange of students and teaching staff, professional practice opportunities for Croatian students, the practical application of knowledge, an internship program in Korea, and general cooperation in R&D. Given the areas of common interest – shipbuilding, naval engineering, electronic and information technologies in the maritime sector – the first step in establishing concrete cooperation is to conclude a general MoU that will define the forms of cooperation and the faculties involved in the implementation of joint projects.
During their stay in Rijeka, representatives of the South Korean company also visited the 3. Maj shipyard, and will also visit other Croatian shipyards as potential participants in the construction of the corvette.
