Korea Aerospace University

Korea Aerospace University (KAU, Korean: 한국항공대학교; Hanja: 韓國航空大學校; RR: Hanguk Hanggong Daehakgyo) is a private university located in Goyang, South Korea, specializing in aviation and aerospace studies. Established in 1952, KAU has grown to become a leading institution in the fields of aerospace engineering, aviation management, and air transportation. KAU offers a range of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs, focusing on areas such as aircraft systems, avionics, space engineering, and airport management. The university is known for its strong industry connections, providing students with practical experience through internships, research opportunities, and partnerships with major aerospace companies.
Korea Aerospace University was established as a national school on June 16, 1952. During the Korean War, under the Charter for Transport School, which was granted by the Ministry of Transportation (currently the Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs) to develop a civil aviation industry. The university primarily started as a two-year course school, solely with three departments: Department of Flight Operation, Department of Aircraft Power, and Department of Telecommunication Engineering.
After the War, the campus moved to Seoul in 1962, then to Goyang City, Gyeonggi-do in 1963, where it stands today. The school buildings were constructed, including the Hangar, the Flight Training Center and the Electronics & Telecommunication Building. Several institutes such as the Central Library, the Maintenance Factory, the Wireless Lab, the Aviation Research Institute, the Training School for Aviation Tech were also opened.
In 1979, the university was taken over by Jungseok Foundation, established by Hanjin Group and it transitioned into a private university.
Through the modifications on quota and name, the establishment of schools, departments and graduate schools were finalized. Auxiliary organizations and institutes were reorganized (see "Centers and institutes").
Furthermore, the Liberal Arts Building, Central Library, the Aviation Control Center, the Mechanical Engineering Building and the Flight Operation Building were opened in the 1970s; the Student's Hall, the Science Building, the Mechanical Engineering Building and the Electronic Engineering Building were constructed in 1990s.
Following a period of consolidation, the university pivoted its efforts toward ensuring internal stability since the early 2000s. Key infrastructures like the Central Library, the Center for Technical Assistance to Small and Medium-sized Industries, the KAU Aerospace Center/Museum, and the New Administrative Building were established. The Library and the Student's Hall were also expanded. In 2006, the university distinguished itself by developing and launching the CubeSat microsatellite, a first among Korean universities.
Pioneering research breakthroughs were realized in the domain of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), with the university achieving the first autonomous formation flight of UAV and the first solar-powered UAV flight for 12 continuous hours in Korea.
In 2007, the institution underwent a significant rebranding, changing its name from Hankuk Aviation University to Korea Aerospace University. Concurrently, it began to enhance its capabilities by creating international connections. It received AABI (Aviation Accreditation Board International) certification in various areas including flight education, aviation management, air traffic management, and air transportation systems. It also signed MOUs and cooperation agreements with internationally recognized institutions such as the University of Southern California, Drexel University, Oregon State University, and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and entered into a joint development agreement with General Electric.
Covering a broad spectrum of aerospace fields like Aerospace & Mechanical Engineering, Electronics, Telecommunications, Computer Engineering, Air Transportation and Logistics, Aeronautical Science & Flight Operation, and Air and Space Law, the university has been appointed to spearhead several national initiatives and collaborative research endeavors with global industry leaders like GE, Airbus, PLANSEE since 2009.
37°35′58″N 126°51′54″E﻿ / ﻿37.5994°N 126.8651°E﻿ / 37.5994; 126.8651