Makers Empire and GreenComm Sign Partnership Deal to Bring 3D Printing Instruction to South Korean Students

GreenComm, a digital convergence, energy savings, and indoor location tracking technology provider focused on the Internet of Things and leadership in 3D printing, is introducing primary school teachers and students across South Korea to innovative 3D printing technology by partnering with Australian firm Makers Empire. The deal will provide schools in South Korea with Makers Empire’s Learning Program via an exclusive distribution deal in the country.

South Korea’s Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning recently identified 3D printing as a growth engine for the country and set in motion a 10-year plan to develop fluency in 3D printing skills for 20% of the country’s population by 2020.

As part of that initiative, the South Korean government plans to supply 5,800 3D printers to schools, train 13,000 teachers, and build 130 3D printing promotion centers.

According to the CEO of GreenComm, Shin Ki-chul, the 10-year road map for 3D printing and his company’s collaboration with Makers Empire will begin by bringing the technology to primary school students.

“We’re excited that our partnership with Makers Empire will give students and teachers fun and easy 3D printing tools and programs to drive our 3D printing future,“ says Ki-chul.

Makers Empire says their 3D printing software allows users to design in 3D without previous experience in CAD or IT skills.

The Makers Empire 3D design and printing Learning Program was developed specifically for primary schools, and it’s been tested extensively by classroom teachers and students. The software is aimed at helping teachers achieve real learning outcomes, engaging students in STEAM topics and becoming confident in teaching 3D design and printing technologies.

“Korea has a history of success driven by innovation and hard work: Korea touches the lives of millions of people around the world every day via the cars we drive, the TVs we watch and the smart devices we use,” says Jon Soong, the CEO of Makers Empire. “Makers Empire is delighted to partner with GreenComm to help support Korea’s goal of becoming a world leader in 3D printing. We look forward to Korea’s primary school teachers and students creating and learning with Makers Empire.”

Makers Empire started up in early 2014 with funding from the ANZ Innovyz START accelerator, and since Makers Empire graduated from the accelerator in May of that year, the company has raised additional funds from angel investors.

Based in Adelaide, Australia, Makers Empire created a program for use on tablet devices and they day it’s so easy to use that “If you can use a tablet, you can design and print in 3D.”

The Makers Empire app can be downloaded on Apple’s iTunes and for Android platforms on Google Play.

What do you think of the South Korean government’s plan to ensure that 20% of that nation’s students are 3D printing literate within the next decade? Let us know in the 3D Printing Instruction to South Korean Students forum thread on 3DPB.com.