Chungnam National University Unveils Global Project Manager Program for International Students

(DAEJEON) Chungnam National University has launched a new career initiative aimed at helping international students gain real-world business experience while supporting local companies with overseas growth plans. The university confirmed on September 5, 2025, that its Global Project Manager program will run during October and November 2025, with an application deadline of September 23, 2025 through the CNU Startup Foundation Support Center website. About 30 students and 15 companies will be matched for short-term projects focused on international expansion, according to the university’s official announcement.

Designed specifically for international students enrolled at Korean universities—or recent graduates—the program pairs participants with startups and small- to mid-sized firms from Daejeon, Sejong, and the wider Chungcheong region. Students will join company teams to work on tasks such as market research, outreach to partners abroad, and localized branding. Organizers say the projects are meant to produce concrete deliverables that help firms test or enter new markets, while giving students direct experience they can present to employers.

The university’s Startup Foundation Support Center will manage selection and operations. Students apply online, receive placements after an early October orientation, and commit to a structured schedule through late November. The program also includes career support such as resume workshops, networking events with company leaders, and visa information sessions meant to clarify post-graduation work paths in Korea.

Participants and company profile

CNU plans to select approximately 30 international students from bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs across Korea, alongside recent graduates with degrees from Korean universities. Companies will include about 15 startups and SMEs from the Daejeon, Sejong, and Chungcheong business communities.

• Focus: smaller firms that need talent to reach customers and partners abroad without costly overseas offices.
• Student roles: market research, partner outreach, localized branding, translation checks, and testing overseas marketing plans.
• Company benefit: access to multilingual, globally minded students to speed global outreach and stretch limited marketing budgets.

Incentives and recognition

Program organizers have set incentives to recognize high-performing students:

• Top participant: 500,000 KRW (about $360)
• Two runners-up: 250,000 KRW each
• Five additional students: 100,000 KRW each

While the award amounts are modest, the practical benefit is the experience itself—participants will be able to show a clear record of outcomes on their resumes, something employers in Korea often ask for during interviews.

Important deadline: Submit your application by September 23, 2025.

What’s new and why it matters

The Global Project Manager program marks the first time Chungnam National University has created a structured, project-based matching system that connects international students directly with local companies. CNU has long offered scholarships, exchange opportunities, and seasonal programs for global learners, but this initiative builds a direct bridge from the classroom to the workplace.

This effort also aligns with South Korea’s national push to attract and retain more foreign students, such as the government’s “Study Korea 300K” plan that aims to host 300,000 foreign learners by 2027 and expand career pathways for them.

For international students, the program offers three clear benefits:
– Hands-on experience with Korean startups and SMEs that can be listed on a resume and discussed in interviews.
– Access to hiring managers and founders during organized networking sessions.
– Visa information sessions that explain options after graduation, including paths to work authorization.

VisaVerge.com reports that programs blending learning with work-like projects can improve job outcomes for foreign graduates by giving them local references and measurable results to share with future employers. According to VisaVerge.com, this kind of short, focused engagement often serves as a “proof of fit” for both students and companies, leading to internships or entry-level jobs when skills and timing align.

How to apply and what to expect

CNU asks interested applicants to follow a simple process:

1. Check eligibility as an international student at a Korean university (bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral level) or as a recent graduate from a Korean institution.
2. Prepare the required items listed on the Startup Foundation Support Center website.
3. Submit the online application by September 23, 2025.
4. Watch for selection results and attend the early October orientation if chosen.

Selected students will be assigned to a company project soon after orientation. Projects will run through October and November, with regular check-ins from CNU staff to ensure progress and aligned expectations.

Alongside project work, the program will host:
– Special lectures on resume writing and job search strategies in Korea
– Practical networking events with founders and hiring managers
– Information sessions on visa pathways and post-graduation planning

For students considering longer-term stay and work options, it’s important to plan early. Korea’s official immigration portal, HiKorea, provides up-to-date guidance on visas and stay rules, including information that can help students weigh post-graduation steps. Program sessions are intended to point students toward the right resources and timelines so they can avoid last-minute stress.

Tips to prepare a strong application

Applicants are urged to apply early and present a clear case for why their skills fit company needs, especially in markets the participating firms are targeting. Useful preparation includes:

• Concise resumes highlighting relevant experience and outcomes
• Language certificates (if available)
• Short descriptions of past projects demonstrating problem-solving and communication
• Clear plans for approaching market research, competitor checks, outreach emails, and feedback loops with company mentors

During interviews or matching sessions, students can stand out by describing how they would turn limited weeks into tangible results.

Institutional contacts and next steps

CNU’s Startup Foundation Support Center will serve as the main point of contact for students and companies. The team has also published contact details for general queries through the Office of International Affairs and maintains updates for international students on the university’s dedicated site, the Official CNU International Website.

Organizers expect strong interest given growing international enrollment across Korea. Because only about 30 students will be selected this round, applicants should prepare strong, focused applications.

The program’s timing—early October through the end of November—fits into the academic calendar while leaving space for exams and winter plans. CNU officials say they hope to repeat or expand the model if demand is high, potentially opening the door for more students and more firms in future rounds.

Chungnam National University’s Global Project Manager program is open now, with applications due by September 23, 2025. Questions can be sent to the program team at the address listed in CNU’s notice. For general matters affecting international students at the university, readers can contact the Office of International Affairs or check the Official CNU International Website for updates.