Sogang University has laid out the blueprint for an advanced industry talent development model through the government-funded Regional Innovation System & Education (RISE) program. The model is designed to transform the university into Seoul’s premier hub for cultivating global talent in high-tech industries under the motto, “Educate in Seoul and expand globally.” The university said the initiative has made progress in talent development and technological innovation since its launch last year. The Ministry of Education has recently rebranded the RISE initiative as the ANCHOR program, placing talent development and regional talent retention at the center of its policy agenda. The program’s budget has increased from 1.94 trillion won ($1.3 billion) in 2025 to 2.14 trillion won this year. Ahead of the transition to the ANCHOR program, the university held the Seoul RISE first-year achievement sharing and ANCHOR transition collaboration forum last month. During the forum, faculty and staff reviewed the accomplishments of the program’s first year and discussed university-wide strategie