On the fifteenth (native time), Oh Sang-rok, President of the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), speaks at a press convention held on the KIST Europe Research Center in Saarbrücken, Germany. Credit: KIST
“When we established the Europe Research Center 30 years ago, the key goal was to follow and learn from Europe’s cutting-edge basic research. Today, the landscape has changed. We need to focus on research demanded by the European Union (EU) and on our role as an international cooperation platform.”
Speaking at a press convention held on the fifteenth (native time) on the KIST Europe Research Center in Saarbrücken, Germany, Oh Sang-rok, President of KIST, marked the middle’s thirtieth anniversary by saying, “We have reached a point where we must think about how we will move forward over the next 30 years.”
He defined that, whereas the middle beforehand centered on supporting particular person researchers and their tasks, it now plans to focus on analysis on standardization and regulation—areas the place Europe is robust—and increase its position as a technological base that helps Korean deep-tech corporations enter the European market.
Oh mentioned, “In the past, support for Korean companies entering Europe mainly revolved around administrative and legal consulting. Now, with more deep-tech start-ups emerging, demand for on-site technical support is growing,” including, “We intend to provide technical support that helps companies expand into global markets.”
In specific, Korea’s accession final yr as an related nation to Horizon Europe, the world’s largest multilateral innovation analysis program, has given KIST Europe a breakthrough in defining its identification as a platform that connects joint analysis with European companions.
Oh emphasised, “Based on the local network we have built over 30 years, our ability to conduct professional research coordination is what sets KIST Europe apart,” and continued, “We won’t limit ourselves to one-off networking once or twice a year. Centered in Brussels, we will stay close to the process of planning new research projects, support that process, and connect it to Korean research institutions.”
On the fifteenth (native time), Kim Jin-sang, Director of the KIST Europe Research Center, speaks at a press convention held on the KIST Europe Research Center in Saarbrücken, Germany. Credit: KIST
Kim Jin-sang, Director of the KIST Europe Research Center, additionally famous, “In Europe, Korea’s standing has risen to the point where people say that any consortium or large-scale project must include Korea,” including, “Especially in fields where Korea is strong, such as shipbuilding, there are many cases where European partners specifically request the participation of Korean companies or research institutions.”
He mentioned, “Since Korea joined Horizon Europe, interest from domestic universities and government-funded research institutes has risen sharply,” and defined, “Through our Bridge Center, we analyze EU calls for proposals, connect them with Korean research institutions, and are expanding our role as a gateway for Korea’s overall participation in Horizon Europe.”
Oh careworn that the aim of collaborating in Horizon Europe lies extra in studying analysis tradition and paradigms than in securing analysis funding.
“It is misguided to think of Horizon Europe as something you join simply to obtain research grants,” he mentioned. “What truly matters is the experience of creating projects: setting clear objectives, allocating roles, and planning research that no one has attempted before.”
He added, “Even after a project is selected, project managers closely share and coordinate the progress of the research,” explaining, “This kind of experience greatly helps us transition from a fast-follower research model to a first-mover research model.”
The KIST Europe Research Center confronted operational difficulties after its finances was successfully frozen for a couple of decade, after which reduce by round 30% when the federal government lowered its analysis and growth (R&D) spending.
Oh acknowledged, “It is regrettable that the budget hasn’t increased, but there is always a reason behind budget allocations,” and added, “If we realign our role on the occasion of the 30th anniversary and meaningful changes begin to appear, the budget will naturally follow. I expect it to grow next year.”
KIST is presenting a brand new worldwide cooperation mannequin for government-funded analysis institutes by increasing its abroad bases. Alongside Europe, it operates the Vietnam–Korea Institute of Science and Technology (VKIST) and the Indo–Korean Science & Technology Center (IKST), and has lately prolonged its presence to Boston within the United States.
Oh emphasised that worldwide cooperation should shift from one-sided assist to a mannequin primarily based on mutual wants.
“International cooperation is sustainable only when, if we need our partners, they also need us,” he mentioned. “Cooperation driven unilaterally, as in the past, can easily disappear when administrations or policies change.”
He continued, “Based on the research capabilities of our main institute in Korea, we should build relationships in which we share responsibilities and conduct joint research with Europe’s top research organizations,” including, “Technology commercialization should not remain confined to the domestic market; it must target global markets from the outset.”
“In Boston, we plan to initially focus on the bio sector, linking promising Korean technologies with local researchers, companies, and global pharmaceutical firms,” he mentioned. “By directly gauging market reactions on the ground, we will pivot away from technologies with low potential and drive technology commercialization that meets global market standards.”
Saarbrücken (Germany) = Joint Reporting Team, Korean Science Journalists Association
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