[Short News] Recent News and Events at UNIST

《Editor’s Note: Editor’s Note: UNIST has attracted considerable public attention recently, as its name was mentioned in both media and academic events. Here is a brief summary of recent news and events at UNIST.》

■ Distinguished Professor Sang Il Seok Receives Order of Science and Technology Merit, Ungbi Class

Image Credit: UNIST Instagram, Designed by Bo Eun Lee

Distinguished Professor Sang Il Seok has been given the Order of Science and Technology Merit, Ungbi Class, at the ‘2022 Science and ICT Day Ceremony’.

Took place on April 21, the ceremony recognized the accomplished individuals in science, technology, and ICT. It has been jointly held by the Ministry of Science and ICT, the Korea Communications Commission, the Korea Federation of ICT Organizations, and the Korean Federation of Science and Technology Societies.

On this day, individuals with major accomplishments in national research and development and promoting science, technology, and ICT were honored. In the Science and Technology Promotion category, a total of 23 individuals were conferred awards by the government: 2 Orders of Merit, 5 Medals of Honor, 6 Presidential Commendations, and 10 Prime Minister’s Commendations.

The Order of Science and Technology Merit is one of South Korea’s Orders of Merit, awarded to those who have rendered outstanding meritorious services in the interest of improving science and technology. The Order of Science and Technology Merit is conferred in the following five classes: Changjo (Creation), Hyeoksin (Reformation), Ungbi (Great Achievement), Doyak (Leap), and Jinbo (Progress). This year, 1 Changjo, 8 Hyeoksin, and 6 Ungbi medals have been bestowed.

[Ministry of Science and ICT] 2022 Science and ICT Day Ceremony
[Hello DD] “2022 Science and ICT Day” … 162 Individuals Have Been Honored
[UNIST Instagram] Congratulations to Professor Sang Il Seok!

■ UNIST Signs Cooperation MoU with POSCO Chemical Co., Ltd.

From left are CEO Kyung-zoon Min from POSCO Chemical Co., Ltd. and UNIST President Yong Hoon Lee.

UNIST has embarked on a new partnership with the POSCO Chemical Co., Ltd. to nurture and support scientific talents in the field of battery materials.

On April 26, UNIST signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the POSCO Chemical Co., Ltd. to provide the ‘e-Battery Track Course’. The ceremony has been attended by CEO Kyung-zoon Min of POSCO Chemical, President Yong Hoon Lee of UNIST, and other key officials from both organizations.

The ‘e-Battery Track Course,’ of UNIST and POSCO Chemical will be operated from the second half of this year. Accordingly, POSCO Chemical will select outstanding talents in master’s and doctorate courses within the School of Energy and Chemical Engineering at UNIST. Upon completion of the course, these students will be, then, hired by POSCO Chemical R&D Center.

Students selected for this course will be conducting field-oriented research and completing courses in humanities and liberal arts. This also includes conducting joint research projects on battery materials and visiting POSCO Chemical’s industrial sites. Students will be also given a full scholarship that will cover their tuition, as well as other scholarships, funded by POSCO Chemical.

■ KHNP Signs Joint Cooperation Agreement with Haeoreum Alliance Regional Universities, Including UNIST!

The ceremony amongst KHNP and Haeoreum Alliance Regional Universities took place at Dongguk University, Gyeongju on April 20, 2022. l Image Credit: KHNP

The Haeoreum Alliance is an association created by Ulsan Metropolitan City, Pohang City, and Gyeongju City for the win-win development of the region. Six universities in the region (UNIST, University of Ulsan, POSTECH, Handong Global University, Dongguk University Gyeongju Campus, and Gyeongju University) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power (KHNP) Co., Ltd. to jointly promote the technology commercialization of research results. The signing ceremony of MoU took place at Dongguk University Gyeongju Campus on April 20, 2022.

Six universities in the Haeoreum Alliance have been promoting the “Haeoreum Alliance Regional R&D Research” since 2018. The first phase of the three-year project was led by UNIST, which led to cooperation between KHNP and three local governments. From 2021, Dongguk University Gyeongju Campus has been in charge of the second phase of the project, and the system will be further established.

Under this partnership, KHNP and the participating universities have pledged to establish a platform that will help promote the commercialization of research results, carried out by each organization. The new platform is expected to create synergy, as it will help them jointly utilize the infrastructure and professional human resources held by each institute. The ceremony has been attended by Vice President Jaiyong Lee of UNIST.