On November 2, UNIST Seawater Resources Technology Research Center signed a three-way Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology (KIOST) and the Ulsan Creative Economy Innovation Center to create a new marine industry in Dong-gu, Ulsan Metropolitan City.
The MoU signing ceremony has been attended by the Dong-gu Middle-Aged Technology Startup Center, the Startup Zone of Ulsan Shipbuilding Hope Center, and the Coastal and Ocean Engineering Division of KIOST.
Under this partnership, the three organizations strive to seek entrepreneurs, related to shipbuilding and marine equipment in Dong-gu region, the area that is faced with the shipbuilding industry crisis. They have pledged to cooperate to expand employment and sales by inducing the advancement of prototypes. Through this, they aim to revitalize the economy of Dong-gu region.
These organizations plan to use the seawater resource technology for the sake of commercialization and value creation in the shipbuilding sector. They will also support and foster prospective startups and prospective entrepreneurs, and provide various various support programs and networking activities.
This project is part of the regional vitality project, carried out by UNIST and KIOST with the support of the Ministry of Trade, industry and Energy (MOTIE). It also plans to help restore the local industrial ecosystems by utilizing new technologies and materials, related to energy storage and marine equipment.
Meanwhile, about 23 technology-based startups are currently located in the startup zone of both Dong-gu Middle-Aged Technology Startup Center and the Ulsan Shipbuilding Hope Center. The Ulsan Creative Economy Innovation Center has been operating these facilities with the support of Ulsan Dong-gu Office since January, 2021.
