[Business] GM Daewoo expands support for local universities

GM Daewoo Auto & Technology Co., a local subsidiary of U.S. auto giant General Motors Co., is stepping up efforts to support local universities in a bid to educate students and produce talented workers for its operation here.

Under its industry-academia cooperation program, named PACE, GM Daewoo has built a research center on the campus of Korea University, one of the nation's most prestigious schools.

The automaker also promised to grant 186 million USD worth of software and hardware in a bid to help educate students on the process of car production.

PACE is a college support program GM Daewoo has spearheaded since 1999. Sun Microsystems, EDS, UGS and eight other companies have since joined the program, which is designed to help them secure well-trained workers.

Since its inception, PACE has designated a total of 36 universities worldwide, including three local universities, as its partners.

"Opening the research center at Korea University is an investment in the future and part of our effort to nurture a talented workforce," said Nick Reilly, CEO of GM Daewoo.

Experts say that the active investment by GM Daewoo reflects an emergence of South Korea as a major market for the automaker.

In October, GM Daewoo also opened a 211 million USD automobile design center at Hongik University, the largest ever investment under the PACE program.

Seo Su-min, [e-mail]