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Declaration of 2011 International Presidential Forum on Research Universities
The 4th International Presidential Forum on Research Universities was held in Seoul on November 8, 2011. The forum attracted a wide range of participants from around the world, presidents and leaders from 44 higher education institutions in 27 nations. Participants had a full-day of in-depth discussion on the theme of “borderless and creative education.”
At the end of the forum, 29 keynote speakers, representing 120 attendees of the meeting, released a declaration that sums up the main points of consensus on the principles and commitments to be supported by research universities for the development of higher education in the 21st century. For the declaration, please open the attached file.
2011.11.09 View 8046 -
New York Times, "First, Catch Your Faculty-A Recipe for Excellence"
The World Bank has recently published a new book entitled “The Road to Academic Excellence: The Making of World Class Research Universities.” The report (book) examined the recent experience of 11 universities in 9 countries (for Korea, it sampled Pohang University of Science and Technology, established in 1986) that have undergone transformations in order to become world-class universities. The book has received a wide coverage from the media all around the world since its publication in late September, among others, the latest article by New York Times (NYT), dated October 16, 2011. The gist of the book, i.e., what elements are required should a research university to become “truly prestigious” in the global scene, is well introduced by the NYT article, and here’s the link:
New York Times, “First, Catch Your Faculty-A Recipe for Excellence”
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/17/world/americas/17iht-educLede17.html
2011.10.17 View 11450
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Fusion performing arts, called space musical, 'NARO' performed at KAIST
In commemoration of the 6th anniversary of the establishment of the Graduate School of Cultural Technology, KAIST organized an English musical show on space at the Auditorium on the 29th and 30th of September. The name of the musical was NARO.
The musical was funded by the ‘NaDa Center’ operated by KAIST’s Graduate School of Cultural Technology. The musical was created with participation from adolescents, which told a tale about a genius boy Naro’s journey in space.
The musical was composed of two parts, and the basic storyline was about Naro who conducts research based on space, and his friends went on a time travel to the constellation Scorpios; more specifically, it was a Korean traditional children’s story about a brother and sister who became the sun and the moon. Naro and his friends prevent the plot of Tyran, a villan, who plans on destroying the space and Earth by inducing a red giant star, Antares.
In preparation for the musical, NaDa Center selected 14 students ranging from elementary to high school students during March of 2011. The selected students met every Saturday and Sunday from March to September for practice; a gargantuan commitment.
The theme of the musical is space, the future, and hope, and it does not utilize any stage settings. Instead, it attempts the incorporation of high technology into the stage by using interactive video, laser art, and specially built props. In addition, the entire process from script to performance and advertisement was utilized as an education model to suggest a good fusion between science and technology and cultural arts.
The musical ‘NARO’ is a collective effort. Professor Won Kwan Yeon who pioneered the field of Cultural Technology directed the musical, Professor Koo Bon Chul was in charge of the script and music composition, acting was charged to Lee Min Ho, choreography was charged to Han Eun Kyung, astrological reference was charged to Park Seok Jae among other students in the Graduate School of Cultural Technology. Members of the KAIST Acting Club ‘Lee Bak Teo’, Jeong Soo Han, Son Sharon and graduate of Chung Nam National University with vocal music major Yang Su Ji also made appearances. The Space Musical ‘NARO’ was funded by the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute, Korea Aerospace Research Institute, and LG School of Multi Culture.
2011.10.10 View 10958 -
KAIST rated 1st consistently for four years running, according to the Korean universities ranking compiled by Joongang Daily
KAIST scored 293 points out of a possible 350 points in the 2011 Joongag Daily survey on the assessment of Korean universities and solidified its position as the nation’s best university by being ranked “number one” for four consecutive years.
POSTECH, Seoul National University, Yonsei University, Korea University, and SungKyunKwan University followed.
The Joongang Daily Korean Universities Assessment began in 1994, which covers all four-year universities. KAIST has been rated 1st in Korea a total of nine times, and it is KAIST’s second time being rated 1st four years in a row. KAIST was assessed especially highly in quality of education, finances, and professor research categories.
Joongang Daily assessed a total of 100 universities (compared to 93 of last year). The maximum number of points is 350 points comprising of quality of education (110 points), globalization (60 points), professor research (110 points), and public reputation/interaction with public (70 points).
2011.10.10 View 9144
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Professor Choi Chul Hui appointed as editor-in-chief of Nanobiosensors in a disease diagnosis magazine
Professor Choi Chul Hui of the Department of Biological and Brain Engineering has been appointed the editor-in-chief of Nanobiosensors, an international medical magazine that concentrates on disease diagnosis.
As the editor-in-chief, Professor Choi will be involved in dissertation evaluations and overall direction of the magazine.
Professor Choi is one of the leading authorities in the field of clinical medicine and has published 60 SCI level dissertations in the fields of cell biology, computational biology, and bio-optics.
He is also the executive director of the KAIST BioImaging Research Center, and his research lab focuses on cell signals and bio imaging. Professor Choi is researching the generation process of degenerative diseases like arteriosclerosis by taking a multidisciplinary approach.
Professor Choi has recently developed a new bio imaging technique that allows for the measurement of perfusion and a new technology for the drug delivery to nerves using ultra short wavelength laser beams.
2011.10.10 View 10866 -
"2011 Korean Language and Culture Festival" held in commemoration of KAIST 40th Anniversary
“2011 Korean Language and Culture Festival” was hosted by KAIST from the 5th of October to the 8th of October for 4 days at various locations within campus and BaekJae Cultural Complex in Daejeon City. The festival was aimed at increasing foreigners’ understanding about Korean culture and language and at the same time, introduced about KAIST, the home of the best minds in Korea’s science and technology.
The festival was part of the KAIST 40th anniversary celebratory events, which included 1) Korean Speaking Competition, 2) Korean Traditional Music Performance by Daejeon City Orchestra, 3) Foreigners Talent Show, 4) Tour of BaekJae Cultural Complex, and others such as lecture given by Chairman Lee Cham of Korea Tourism Organization.
In the Korean Speaking Competition, 10 foreigners who passed the preliminaries competed by giving speeches with the theme on “Korea that I’ve experienced.” The speakers were given 5 minutes for speech, and their presentations were graded based on uniqueness, fluency, appropriateness, and fluidity in spoken Korean. 200,000 Korean Won was given to a winner as prize.
In addition, the chance for foreigners to visit the BaekJae Cultural Complex allowed them to experience firsthand “traditional Korean culture,” through which they had a good opportunity to develop a better understanding on Korea as a whole.
Director of KAIST Language Center Michael Park commented, “The festival was a meaningful and important occasion for foreigners to appreciate Korean culture and language, and it would be a great step towards foreigners’ gaining a solid understanding of Korean culture and language to the extent that they become to know better about DaeJeon, the city they live in.”
2011.10.10 View 8956
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Professor Son Hoon received "Structural Health Monitoring Person of the Year Award."
Professor Son Hoon (42) of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering received the “Structural Health Monitoring Person of the Year Award” at an international workshop on structural health monitoring held in Stanford University.
The award is given by the editor and advisors of prestigious international magazine, “Journal of Structural Health Monitoring,” to a researcher with the best research record in a year. Professor Son has published 42 SCI level dissertations, registered 17 patents both domestically and internationally, and presented over 100 papers in international journals, for which he was recognized with the award. Professor Son is the first Korean who receives this award.
One of the most significant achievements by Professor Son was “reference-free damage diagnosis” that he had developed in 2007. The diagnosis allows for the detection of wear and tear of a structure without having to use the foundation signal from the initial stages of the structure. The diagnosis contributed greatly in increasing the reliability of the signal information received from smart sensors attached to the structure by eliminating the environmental impact like temperature.
Professor Son is currently working on green energy structural health monitoring system development related projects. His current work deals with airplanes, bridges, nuclear facilities, high speed railways, wind turbines, and etc. in cooperation with Boeing, United States Air Force Research Institute, Korea Research Foundation, Ministry of Defense Research Institute, Korea Expressway Corporation, POSCO, and etc.
In addition, Professor Son successfully adopted a local monitoring method using smart piezoelectric sensors on a bridge in New Jersey as part of the Long Term Bridge Performance Program initiated by the National Highway Bureau. The success was even introduced in New Jersey’s public TV and newspaper agencies.
Professor Son was given tenure at a record age of 39 in 2008 and received numerous awards given out by the Ministry of Education and Science and international organizations like the ‘Edward M Curtis’ Professor Award from Purdue University.
2011.10.10 View 11124 -
KAIST's efforts begin to become the first Korean university establishing a "strategic technology management system."
KAIST completed the signing of business agreement with the Korea Strategic Trade Institute to establish a strategic technology management system on the 22nd of September.
The agreement between KAIST and Korea Strategic Trade Institute (under the Ministry of Knowledge Economy) encompasses 1) the establishment of processes for strategic technology management on campus, 2) development and accommodation of management system on par with major countries, and 3) protection and management through continued education and promotion.
Strategic technology management is necessary to prevent the illegal distribution of technologies developed in Korea to those countries and organizations of concern. The need for the management system arose due to the fact that technology transfer has become venerable to illegal export of strategic technologies.
The agreement between the two parties offer protection to KAIST when exporting strategic technologies as it necessitates the permission of the government prior to the technology transfer.
2011.09.27 View 8559 -
A frugal couple donates life savings of '35billion Korean Won' to KAIST.
Chairman Kim Byoung Ho and Mrs. Kim Sang Yeol have been the center of attention with various news articles and columns detailing their generous donation of real estate to KAIST, which amounted to 35billion Korean Won in value in total. Korean Broadcasting System (KBS) broadcasted a story on Chairman Byoung Ho and Mrs. Kim Sang Yeol on the 22nd of September. The broadcast link: http://news.kbs.co.kr/society/2011/09/22/2360159.html
Yahoo News also posted their donation on September 21, 2011. News link: http://ph.news.yahoo.com/frugal-woman-donates-4-3m-science-041003479.html
2011.09.27 View 9567 -
In Demand: Ideas that can change the world in 10 years.
The hot topic of the day was from KOLON group (Chairman Lee Oung Yeol) and its decision to hold a contest exhibition specifically aimed at KAIST students, professors and staff on ideas that could potentially change the everyday lifestyle in the near future. It is the first time a Korean company in the top 30 to hold such a contest aimed at a specific university.
The total prize money involved amounts to 50million Korean Won which will be handed out to ten teams. The 1st prize will be given to one team along with 20million Korean Won, the 2nd prize will be given to two teams each receiving 10million Korean Won, and the rest of the teams will be given 1million Korean Won worth in gift certificates.
The idea contest is planned by KOLON-KAIST Lifestyle Innovation Center (from here on referred to as KOLON LSI Center). Anyone who is part of the KAIST community can participate by preparing a two A4 page report and sending it to kolon.kaist.dreamer@gmail.com until October 31st five o’clock in the afternoon. The results and the awards ceremony will be held on the 23rd of November on ‘KOLON Day’.
The Executive Director of KOLON Kim Kyung Yong commented, “The dreams of yesteryears like shrinking a room sized computer to fit in the palm of my hand and being able to communicate to anyone in the world have become reality. The KAIST community is composed of Korea’s finest in the field of Science, and it seemed fitting to search the KAIST community to find ideas that could potentially change the world in ten years’ time.”
2011.09.26 View 9514 -
Professor Kim Seung Woo and Professor Ko Kyu Young Receive the 7th Gyeong Am Scholar Awards.
Professors Kim Seung Woo and Ko Kyu Young of KAIST were named the winners for the 7th Gyeong Am Scholar Awards.
The award winners are: Professor Ko Kyu Young of KAIST in the Biological Sciences category, Professor Kim Seung Woo of KAIST in the Engineering category, Professor Kim Young Shik of Seoul National University and Professor Kil Hui Seoung of Sogang University in the Humanities category, and Professor Hong Byoung Hee of Seoul National University in the Natural Sciences category.
In the Liberal Arts category leader of Universal Ballet Company Moon Hoon Sook was chosen, and the Special Achievement Award was given to Historian Dr. Park Myoung Sun. Professor Ko discovered that it is Angionpoietin-1 that induces the growth of new blood vessels and thus made a significant contribution to the field of blood vessel formation, immune mechanism, and causes of cancer spread.
Professor Kim developed a mini extreme ultra violet laser light source using the resonance principles of plasmon and made a great contribution in the acquiring of core technologies and its industrial commercialization in the field of super precise optical instruments.
Gyeong Am Education and Culture Foundation was founded by the Chairman of Tae Yang Group, Song Geum Jo who had donated his entire fortune amounting to 100billion Korean Won to society by creating a public foundation aimed at encouraging advancements in learning, training of experts, and cultural developments for the betterment of Korea.
The Gyeong Am Scholar Awards was established in 2005 and recognizes those scholars and artists who are making significant contributions in the frontlines of society.
The awards ceremony is to be held at Busan on the 4th of November, three thirty in the afternoon and the winner of each category is to receive 100mil Korean Won in prize money with a commemorative plaque.
2011.09.26 View 11118 -
10th Annual POSTECH-KAIST Competition: 'Revenge of the Blue Dragon'
KAIST is out for revenge after losing last year in the POSTECH-KAIST Annual Competition, a college rivalry between the two science and technology schools. The competition was held over two days, 23rd and 24th of September and involved 2,000 students from the two universities.
The POSTECH-KAIST Competition, also known as ‘Science War,’ is an annual event which started in 2002 to encourage active interaction between the two universities and increase public interest in science and technology education. The 2011 Competition marked the 10th competition as the 2009 competition was cancelled due to “swine influenza.”
The Competition is held every mid-September, and the title of the competition depends on the venue; the name of the host university is marked last by convention, hence the 2011 Science War was known as ‘POSTECH-KAIST Competition’ since the competition was held in KAIST.
The competition is composed of Hacking Competition, Science Trivia, Artificial Intelligence Programming Contest, StarCraft, Soccer, Baseball, and Basketball.
800 points are up for grabs, and the university with the most points wins. Both universities have won four times and lost four times and therefore promises to be a mouthwatering encounter this year.
Apart from the various competitions, interaction between clubs, cheerleading performances, and congratulatory concert (Dynamic Duo) were prepared. In addition, a beer party was hosted from 11pm of the first day of the competition to 2am the following day which brought students from the two universities closer together.
President Seo Nam Pyo of KAIST commented, “I am very happy that the two universities at the forefront of Korean Science and Technology can come together to interact and compete wholeheartedly through the 10th POSTECH-KAIST Competition” and that, “I hope that the students can exhibit the skills and ability that they have practiced hard on and uphold the proud history and tradition of KAIST.”
All games can be viewed at http://voki.kaist.ac.kr after the end of the Competition.
2011.09.26 View 8487