The South Korean authorities introduced plans to launch a brand new “National Scientist” program and develop the national analysis and improvement budget. Modeled after China’s prestigious “Academician” system, which acknowledges the nation’s prime students, this system goals to assist world-renowned researchers proceed their work in South Korea.
The Ministry of Science and ICT unveiled its “Strategy for Securing Scientific and Technological Talent and Innovation in the R&D Ecosystem” throughout a national briefing titled “Korea Dreaming Again of Scientists and Engineers,” held Thursday on the National Science Museum in Daejeon’s Yuseong District.
The National Scientist program was established to forestall the outflow of prime Korean researchers and to honor the contributions of scientists and engineers. About 20 students will likely be chosen annually, every receiving 100 million gained in annual analysis funding. They can even obtain privileges equivalent to precedence airport companies and the authority to plan national analysis initiatives.
The authorities additionally introduced measures to draw proficient researchers from abroad. Focusing on key strategic applied sciences equivalent to synthetic intelligence, it goals to usher in 2,000 excellent early-career researchers from overseas by 2030. To assist this objective, international researchers coming into on scholar visas will likely be allowed to remain in Korea for as much as 12 months as interns. The authorities additionally plans to ascertain an AI Science Academy for Gifted Students to foster home AI expertise.
Ha Jung-woo, presidential secretary for future planning in synthetic intelligence, stated throughout a briefing on the Presidential Office in Yongsan, “The new National Scientist program will serve as a model for aspiring scientists and engineers, providing them with a clear path for growth and vision. Over the next five years, about 100 scientists will receive presidential certificates, annual research grants, and various benefits, including transportation support.”
However, some within the scientific group stay involved that this system might not be sufficient to stem the outflow of expertise, because it lacks distinctive incentives equivalent to lifetime tenure or excessive salaries supplied to China’s Academicians.
Meanwhile, the federal government pledged to develop the R&D budget that had been lowered beneath the previous Yoon Suk Yeol administration. President Lee Jae-myung, who attended the session, stated, “We have decided to significantly increase R&D investment to a level few could have imagined, with a firm commitment to devote more national resources to science and technology.” He added, “A research environment that tolerates failure is essential for the nation’s prosperity.”