The Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) is a research-oriented university that focuses on the fields of applied science and engineering. This institute was founded in 1993 by the Korean government to meet the nation’s demand for advanced research and to enhance the development of higher education in science and engineering. GIST takes a leading role in performing research and development in cooperation with industry sectors. In 2010, GIST opened its doors to undergraduate students. GIST is the first university in the nation to adopt an innovative system that provides a comprehensive, foundational science curriculum to serve as a stepping stone for research into a wide variety of science and engineering fields.