APEC PPSTI Delegates Visit UNIST to Explore Collaborative Opportunities

Delegates from the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Policy Partnership on Science, Technology and Innovation (PPSTI) visited UNIST on February 26, 2025. The purpose of their visit was to explore opportunities to enhance UNIST’s research capabilities in the Asia-Pacific region.

The APEC PPSTI serves as a consultative body focused on promoting the advancement of science and technology within the Asia-Pacific area, while also establishing frameworks for international collaboration.

“UNIST aims to lead research efforts in areas such as artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and future mobility in partnership with APEC,” stated Sung Chung Bae, Vice President for Academic Affairs, in his welcoming speech.

Rahima Kandahari, Chair of APEC PPSTI, expressed enthusiasm for UNIST’s global academic environment and the potential for industrial collaboration, emphasizing the prospects for establishing a strong partnership.

As part of the event, UNIST graduate students from APEC member countries showcased their research through a series of promotional booths, sharing innovative findings and engaging with attendees.

The Professor Hankwon Lim Graduate School of Carbon Neutrality presented groundbreaking carbon capture and utilization technology, highlighting its significance in the global effort toward decarbonization. Additionally, Professor Hyemin Ahn of the Graduate School of Artificial Intelligence shared her team’s advancements in developing artificial vocal and articulation organs aimed at aiding human voice recovery. Meanwhile, Professor Sang Hoon Kang of the Department of Mechanical Engineering discussed a novel method for measuring stiffness in stroke patients, combining robotics and artificial intelligence to enhance treatment effectiveness.

Following the presentations, participants toured advanced research facilities, including the UNIST Central Research Facility (UCRF) and the Seawater Resource Technology Center, where they observed a diverse array of ongoing research projects.

“This cooperation will make an important contribution to the development of global science and technology,” remarked Vice President Sung Chul Bae. “UNIST is committed to strengthening our research network across the Asia-Pacific region.”