GIST Selected as Lead Institution for ‘Youth TLO Development Project’ for 3 Consecutive Years

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Yoon Jamin] Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (President Kim Gi-seon·GIST) announced on the 18th that it has been selected as the host institution for the 'Youth TLO Development Project' for three consecutive years since 2020, organized by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Science and Technology Job Promotion Agency.

As a result, it will receive a total project fund of 600 million KRW.

The 'Youth TLO (Technology Licensing Officer) Development Project' aims to strengthen university technology commercialization capabilities by transferring university-owned technologies to the private sector, spreading technology transfer achievements, promoting startups, and contributing to youth job creation. It hires unemployed science and engineering graduates and prospective graduates under the age of 34 as Youth TLO researchers for six months.

The selected Youth TLOs work at the university for six months, preparing technology introduction materials (technical reports and technology briefs), conducting corporate and technology trend surveys, engaging in technology transfer marketing activities, and supporting laboratory-based startups, while preparing for employment or entrepreneurship.

GIST has invited professional patent attorneys to conduct practical technology transfer training, including understanding and utilization of intellectual property rights, patent search and application, technology transfer, and technology commercialization strategies, to cultivate intellectual property experts. Based on the know-how of patents held within GIST, they provide one-on-one practical mentoring by dedicated technology transfer personnel to help bring technology transfer closer to realization.

Jo Byung-kwan, head of the GIST Startup Promotion Center, stated, “We will support continuous customized professional training courses for Youth TLO researchers and actively utilize the technologies held by GIST to strengthen employment and entrepreneurship capabilities and create jobs, thereby revitalizing the transfer of research outcomes and contributing to the regional economy.” He added, “We will continue to support Youth TLO researchers through various programs so that they can accumulate diverse work experiences and knowledge and grow into talents with core competencies in all fields.”

Meanwhile, GIST has achieved excellent results for two consecutive years in the annual evaluation announced by the Science and Technology Job Promotion Agency. As a result of the 2018 and 2019 projects, it achieved a 100% Youth TLO employment rate, with 38 employment cases, 6 technology transfers, technology royalty income of 70 million KRW, and 1 startup support case, demonstrating achievements in employment, entrepreneurship, and technology transfer. In 2018, it was recognized for an 88% employment rate and received a total project fund of 610 million KRW in 2019.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.