The 2022 U-Challenge Festival, showcasing the research outcomes of science and engineering students who have themselves to contribute to the innovation-led growth in the Ulsan regions, took place on November 17, 2022.
This event, which highlighted the achievements of 367 students and 77 teams from UNIST and the University of Ulsan who recently partook in the B.T.S (Brain to Society) Practical Research Team, as well as the Research Club projects. The B.T.S Practical Research Team is a project, in which students from UNIST and the University of Ulsan gather to solve industrial problems, raised by local companies in Ulsan. This year, we have also seen a rise in the student participation―up by 17 more teams and 75 students compared with those who participated last year. As for the Research Club activities, 62 industry experts and professors from both universities working at 69 companies centered in Ulsan participated as mentors to enrich the research results.
Opening ceremony of 2022 U-Challenge Festival. l Image Credit: UNIST College of Engineering
The event began with the opening ceremony, attended by major guests and took place in the order of performance exhibition, on-site interviews, award presentation ceremony, and closing ceremony.
At the award ceremony, team FALCON from UNIST and team COTN from the University of Ulsan were given the Minister of Science and ICT Award (Grand Prize). Team FALCON was recognized for its excellent performance in the field of future mobility for introducing a new prototype paraglider with significantly improved aerodynamic performance through the application of hydrodynamics. Team COTN drew attention in the eco-friendly energy field through research on producing and commercializing raw materials for secondary batteries from discarded batteries.
Subsequently, awards were presented to teams that demonstrated research excellence, which includes 5 gold-winning teams, 7 silver-winning teams, and 16 bronze-winning teams. Popularity awards were also delivered to the 5 teams that won many votes through online voting. The top 14 teams will be also given the opportunity to take part in the “X-Core Plus Festival” to be held at the Busan Exhibition and Convention Center (BEXCO) on November 25, 2022.
On the same day, a booth for students’ performance exhibition was set up at Kyungdong Hall on the 4th floor of the Main Administration Building of UNIST. Here, research results from various fields were exhibited, including demonstrations for drone flights and exhibitions, like 3D printed airless tires. The exhibition site was also streamed live via YouTube. Click HERE to watch online broadcast.
Dean Sung Youb Kim (College of Engineering, UNIST) at the opening ceremony of 2022 U-Challenge Festival, delivering congratulatory remarks. l Image Credit: UNIST College of Engineering
UNIST and University of Ulsan were selected for the 2021 Field-linked Future-leading Human Resources Development Project, which has been promoted by the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) in April 2021. Based on this, the two universities organized the BTS Team and provided support for education and research, so that students can freely challenge themselves and solve problems on site. These students worked in a team of four or five to carry out projects centered on industrial sites with guidance professors, teaching assistants, and industrial mentors.
President Yong Hoon Lee at the opening ceremony of 2022 U-Challenge Festival, talking about the importance of innovation in science and engineering education. | Image Credit: UNIST College of Engineering
Meanwhile, the opening ceremony has been attended by UNIST President Yong Hoon Lee, Dean Sung Youb Kim (College of Engineering, UNIST), Vice President Jae-Ki Lee from University of Ulsan, Vice Dean Seung Hyun Hur (College of Engineering, University of Ulsan), and Han Young Ro Han from Ulsan Industry University Convergence Institute.
