Tech gurus take note: If you think you could be the Steve Jobs of Korea, the government wants you.
The government is changing the way it cultivates software professionals, switching its focus from a college education to free competition, the Ministry of Knowledge Economy said yesterday.Under a new program, set to launch in May or June, the government will use a process like the U.S. TV show “The Apprentice” to search for Korea’s own “national software maestros.”
As long as they have innovative ideas, even college dropouts like the much-touted Apple CEO are eligible for the 15-month program, the ministry said, adding that a high school diploma is required.
A total of 100 people will compete through three stages to earn the title, which will be given to less than 10 contenders. Winners will receive a huge leg up in getting jobs or starting businesses and will be employed as advisers for upgrading the nation’s software industry, the ministry said. The ministry hopes to discover a “hidden gem” who could steer the country in the right direction as the software industry undergoes a paradigm shift, it said in a statement.
“As Bill Gates and Steve Jobs are behind the growth of Microsoft and Apple as top global software companies, the importance of top brains is being emphasized under the rapidly changing industrial environment,” said a Knowledge Economy Ministry official.
“With this program, we hope the year 2010 will be the start of fostering software talent in Korea.”
A panel of IT mentors, comprised of top professionals in the software sector, will select the winners, the ministry said.
link: http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2918555
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