UNIST has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Korea Institute of Design Promotion (KIDP) to cooperate on improving quality of healthcare services through design.
The ceremony took place in the 6F main conference room, located in the Main Administration Building at UNIST on July 29, 2019. During the ceremony, the two organizations have promised to accelerate the joint excavation projects to improve wellness and quality of care in hospitals and other other healthcare facilities.
To this end, the two organizations have pledged to lay the foundation for joint use of research facilities and equipment, as well as to expand the share of research personnel and related technologies. In particular, based on users’ experience, they plan on improving the way healthcare is delivered and experienced using human-centered design. In other words, works will be carried out to develop ergonomic designs, which will improve patient satisfaction and eliminate obstacles imposed by current healthcare systems from the perspective of patients or physicians.
“We are delighted to establish a partnership with KIDP, which contributes to improving the competitiveness of Korean industries through the promotion of industrial design R&D,” says Professor Youngshin Kwak, Dean of UNIST School Design and Human Engineering. “We aim to strengthen public health services through practical and effective design works based on a fusion of ergonomic and aesthetics.”
President Mooyoung Jung (right) of UNIST and President Eune Ju Hyun (left) of KIDP signed a MoU on July 29, 2019.
The School of Design and Human Engineering pursues innovative research through the convergence of industrial design and human engineering. It has a strong reputation in industrial design that blends advanced technology, engineering and design, has won many outstanding achievements in international design awards, and has established products and work environments that are optimized for human body, cognition, emotion and social culture. Researchers participating in this collaborative project will work to improve the efficiency and safety of services by raising awareness of the medical environment.
“The recent invitation of Workplace Accident Rehabilitation Hospital has been the long-cherished ambition of Ulsan city, thus there has been a greater expectation of the quality of care in health facilities,” says President Mooyoung Jung. “If the R&D achievements through this cooperation are applied to real life, we will be able to build an excellent medical infrastructure in Ulsan.”
“As the consumers’ interest in health continues to grow, there also has been a marked growth in the healthcare sector,” says President Eune Ju Hyun of KIDP. “This strategic partnership with UNIST will serve as a key opportunity to form the foundation to support the growth of innovation in healthcare.”
The MoU signing ceremony has been attended by President Mooyoung Jung, President Eune Ju Hyun of KIDP, Dean Youngshin Kwak of UNIST School Design and Human Engineering, Professor Dooyoung Jung, Professor Yunwoo Jung, Professor James Andrew Self, Professor Kyungho Lee, Professor Young-Woo Park, Professor Seungho Lee, Director General Byeong Moon Yoon (Education and R&D Department, KIDP), Chief Tae Wan Yoon (Advanced Research Division, KIDP), and Manager Young Hoon Kim (Advanced Research Division, KIDP).
