[한국대학신문 이지희 기자] The Ministry of Science and ICT selects a new research group that will foster key talents in cutting-edge technology innovation. The Ministry of Science and ICT announced on the 31st that it will select two or more research teams for the’KIURI Project for Leading Innovative Growth’.
Last year, the Ministry of Science and ICT selected four research groups: Seoul National University (Bio Health), Sungkyunkwan University (Energy Environment), Yonsei University (future car material parts), and Pohang University (bio diagnostic treatment). It plans to invest 37.5 billion won in total project cost for three years in a total of six research centers, including two new research centers selected this year.
The purpose of the KIURI project is to support doctoral-level talents in enhancing their high-tech innovation capabilities and advancing into the industry. The Ministry of Science and ICT analyzed that there is a need to reinforce the path for advanced Ph.
The research center is organized around Post Doctor (postdoctoral researcher). Participating Podak will stably support labor and research expenses for up to 3 years. For each Podak, a total of KRW 50 million in labor costs and KRW 50 million in research expenses will be provided. The university that will host the research team must be able to provide a research immersion environment such as basic research space, administrative support, facilities and equipment of Podak.
The Ministry of Science and ICT is planning to organize a research group centered on Podak to lead the direct discovery of projects and execution of research funds by participating researchers, and to promote the project so that the research group can function as an industry-academic cooperation platform through industry-academia joint research based on corporate demand.
As a result of the first implementation of the KIURI project last year, 68 Podaks are currently being employed in 4 research centers to conduct research. If two additional research centers are selected this year, a total of 92 Podaks are expected to receive stable research opportunities.
Companies wishing to directly exchange and cooperate with the research center can pay basic membership fees and joint research funds, and have opportunities for technological innovation and hiring excellent human resources.
KIURI’s new project announcement can be found on the website of the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Korea Research Foundation. After selection evaluation in March and April, the research is scheduled to commence on May 1.
Sang-wook Kang, Director of Future Talent Policy of the Ministry of Science and Technology, said, “We will generously support young talents with doctorate degrees in science and engineering so that they can be active in various fields such as academia and high-tech industrial sites. We ask for the active participation of excellent universities and companies so that they can improve their competencies in future promising fields such as new industries.”