UNIST has been recognized as a leading example of research administration advancement at the 2025 Research Administration Conference, winning a commendation from the Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Science and ICT (MSIT) on December 17, 2025.
The award reflects UNIST’s efforts to redefine research administration as a collaborative role that supports research throughout its development, rather than a function limited to administrative processing. The university was praised for creating a structure in which research administrators work closely with researchers from early planning through project completion.
To support this approach, UNIST reorganized its administrative system around the research process itself. This change improved communication between administrators and research teams and helped create an environment in which researchers can focus more fully on their work. Research administration has since become an integral part of achieving research outcomes.
Members of UNIST Office Research Affairs pose for a commemorative photo after receiving the MSIT commendation. | Image Credit: MSIT
These efforts led to several institutional initiatives. UNIST became the first university in Korea to establish an official Research Administration Day, formally recognizing the role and contributions of research administration staff. It also launched the Research Administration Knowledge Forum, which has grown into a national platform for universities and research institutes to share practical experience and insights.
UNIST also introduced a Research Administration Certification Program that covers all stages of the research process, helping establish research administration as a distinct professional field. As a result, research administrators now work more effectively with researchers, while researchers face fewer administrative demands.
UNIST’s model has attracted attention at the national level and has informed broader discussions on research administration policy, positioning the university as a reference for institutional improvement.
“Strong research outcomes depend on research administration that understands the realities of research work,” said UNIST President Chong Rae Park. “We will continue strengthening this role so our researchers can focus on research itself.”
Kwangho Lee, Head of the Research Planning Team at UNIST, is presented with the commendation by the Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Science and ICT during the 2025 Research Administration Conference. | Image credit: MSIT
Kwangho Lee, Head of the Research Planning Team, who led the initiative, added, “Research administration grows through close collaboration with researchers. We hope UNIST’s experience will be shared widely and contribute to improving research administration across Korea.”
UNIST plans to continue investing in its research support workforce and further strengthening its research support system to help enhance Korea’s overall research competitiveness.
