Over 100 research administrators from UNIST gathered at Lahan Select in Gyeongju for the 2024 UNIST Research Administrator Day, an event aimed at addressing key challenges and enhancing the skills crucial for effective research administration on December 17, 2024. This initiative has attracted attention as a promising approach to developing the next-generation of research administration experts, essential for advancing the field.
The Research Administration Day is an annual initiative celebrated at universities and hospital research institutes across the United States to recognize and motivate research administrators, while raising public awareness about the critical role of research administration. UNIST is proud to be the first institution in Korea to introduce this significant event, with plans to broaden its reach in the country.
In his opening address, President Chong Rae Park praised UNIST’s commitment to excellence in research administration while expressing his enthusiasm for the event, stating, “UNIST has established itself as a leading organization in Korea for research administration.” He further emphasized, “This achievement is due to the dedication of our research staff, who continuously support researchers and enhance systems through innovative initiatives. We will persist in our efforts to pave the way for a new paradigm in research administration across Korea.”
In his congratulatory address, President Chong Rae Park praised UNIST’s commitment to excellence in research administration while expressing his enthusiasm for the event.
During the event, participants engaged in discussions highlighting key issues within research administration, reviewed the year’s accomplishments in education and activities, and focused on team-building exercises. This year’s spotlight was on the Inside Out Program, which received enthusiastic feedback.
The Inside Out Program, developed collaboratively by design thinking experts and UNIST research administrators, focuses on identifying and solving hidden challenges within research administration. Utilizing design thinking techniques, participants examined topics such as project agreements and settlements, management of student labor costs, procurement and registration of research equipment, and the operation of joint research projects.
This year’s spotlight was on the Inside Out Program, which received enthusiastic feedback.
Keun Suk Seo, a researcher from the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at UNIST, noted, “This workshop was instrumental in helping us establish the most efficient and accurate workflows for specific tasks. It’s common to encounter inefficiencies due to varied approaches influenced by personal experience or training, but I learned a great deal through this collaboration.”
The event also featured the completion and recognition of participants who engaged in educational programs throughout the year. Certificates of completion were awarded to 14 individuals who excelled in the 2024 Research and Administration Expert Training Course. Mi Ae Kim, a top scorer from the Department of Civil, Urban, Earth, and Environmental Engineering at UNIST, shared, “Taking the comprehension test alongside my daily work allowed me to closely engage with the material. The entire curriculum, from lectures to assessments, significantly enhanced my professional competencies.”
Recognition was also given during the award ceremony, where two teams that presented at the ‘2024 Research Administrator Annual Meeting in UNIST,’ held in June 2024, received the Grand Prize and the Excellence Prize, respectively.
Above are the recipients of the ‘Grand Prize’ for excellent presentations at the ‘2024 Research Administrator Annual Meeting in UNIST,’ held on June 18, 2024. From left to right are Iseul Koo, Hee Su Cho, and Mi Ae Kim.
KwangHo Lee, Team Leader of Research Supporting Team at UNIST, emphasized the evolving role of research administration, stating, “Research administration must transcend mere support functions and become a vital partner in research endeavors. UNIST is advocating for a comprehensive four-stage development approach that motivates research administrators, nurtures experts, implements a certification system, and leverages their expertise to cultivate specialists in research administration.”
Kwon Myung Kim, Dean of Research Affairs at UNIST presenting an opening remark at the event.
Kwon Myung Kim, Dean of Research Affairs at UNIST and organizer of the event, concluded, “As a pioneer in research administration, UNIST strives to create best practices through innovative and challenging methods. We are committed to cultivating exceptional research administration experts so that researchers can focus on their work and achieve outstanding results.”
A special lecture by Yosep Kim from Daedeok Net, providing guidance on the essential communication skills needed in research administration under the title ‘The Tug of War Between Researchers and Writing.’
RyoungEun Kim, Dean of General Affairs at UNIST, conveyed a message through her lecture titled ‘The Development of Character Through Work,’ encouraging attendees to dream of and achieve growth as professionals.”
