Presidents of GIST and Three Other Major Science and Technology Institutes Join COVID-19 Overcoming Campaign

Decision to Return 30% of Salary for 4 Months

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Yoon Jamin] The presidents of the four major science and technology institutes have joined in sharing the burden to overcome COVID-19.

On the 30th, according to Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST, President Kim Gi-seon), the presidents of the four major science and technology institutes, including Kim Gi-seon of GIST, Shin Sung-chul of KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology), Kook Yang of DGIST (Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology), and Lee Yong-hoon of UNIST (Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology), agreed to return 30% of their salaries for four months.

This agreement was made with the intention of actively participating in the recent voluntary salary return relay of high-ranking public officials, heads of public institutions, and heads of government-funded research institutes, and to share the national economic crisis caused by COVID-19 and the suffering with the people.

President Kim Gi-seon said, “Amid the COVID-19 crisis, the whole world is experiencing enormous social and economic damage, along with the resulting confusion and suffering. We decided to participate in the salary return movement rising in various sectors of society to share difficulties with the people and to express our determination to overcome the current situation early.” He added, “GIST will continue to fulfill its role and mission to overcome the national economic crisis, as well as secure resources for technology development to respond to COVID-19, actively striving to protect public health through the development of infectious disease diagnostic technologies, treatments, and vaccines.”

Meanwhile, the returned salaries will be discussed and decided later together on various measures such as supporting education expenses for children from vulnerable groups in the regions affiliated with each university.

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