KAIST and 5 Major Science and Technology Specialized Universities Launch 'All-Out Effort' to Secure National Essential Strategic Technologies

Revealed at the Strategy Planning Forum Hosted by the Ministry of Science and ICT on the 2nd

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] Science and technology specialized universities, including KAIST, are focusing their research capabilities on securing national essential strategic technologies, which are being intensively developed to respond to the global technology hegemony competition.

On the afternoon of the 2nd, the Ministry of Science and ICT held a "Discussion Forum for Establishing Strategies to Secure National Essential Strategic Technologies" at the KAIST main campus in Daejeon, attended by the presidents of five science and technology specialized universities.

At the event, chaired by Lee Kyung-soo, Director of the Science and Technology Innovation Headquarters, attendees included Lee Kwang-hyung, President of the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST); Lee Yong-hoon, President of Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST); Guk Yang, President of Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST); Kim Ki-sun, President of Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST); and Kim Kwang-jae, Vice President of Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH). They discussed the missions of science and technology specialized universities for securing national essential strategic technologies and the future directions for promoting the acquisition of these technologies.

"National essential strategic technologies" refer to ten fields of technology that must be competitively secured by consolidating national capabilities amid intensifying technology hegemony competition. These next-generation core technologies include Artificial Intelligence (AI), 5G/6G, advanced bio, semiconductors and displays, secondary batteries, hydrogen, advanced robotics and manufacturing, quantum, space and aviation, and cybersecurity.

Last year, the government selected these essential strategic technologies considering the importance from the perspectives of supply chain and trade, national security, and new industries; the possibility of securing technological leadership by concentrating national capabilities; and the urgency of government support. In the future, 3 to 5 "detailed key technologies" will be selected for each field, and a comprehensive nurturing and protection strategy will be established, including research and development (R&D) roadmaps, manpower, demonstration and commercialization, regulatory improvements, and technology protection.

At the forum, KAIST announced that it will cultivate core talents related to national essential strategic technologies and conduct research on core and convergence technologies to lead the global market, focusing on AI, 5G/6G, semiconductors and displays, and space and aviation fields. UNIST introduced its goal to strengthen industrial competitiveness and create new industries through breakthrough innovative technology development and commercialization of laboratory technologies, focusing on secondary batteries, hydrogen, and advanced bio fields. DGIST plans to nurture convergence-type talents in strategic technology fields by leveraging its unique single-department undergraduate system, the first of its kind in Korea, and focus on semiconductors and displays, advanced bio, advanced robotics and manufacturing, and cybersecurity. GIST aims to establish an innovation base for essential strategic technologies in the region through collaboration between regional key industries and GIST's strategic technologies, focusing on advanced bio, semiconductors and displays, and artificial intelligence. POSTECH leads industry-academia cooperation with domestic and international companies such as Apple, Google, and POSCO, as well as international exchanges with overseas research institutions, focusing on AI, advanced bio, semiconductors and displays, secondary batteries, and quantum fields.

Director Lee said, "The role of science and technology specialized universities, which are the main agents of talent cultivation, research and development, and innovation activities, is the foundation for securing unwavering competitiveness in the era of technology hegemony competition. Overseas, including the United States, the role of universities in strengthening national science and technology competitiveness is increasingly emphasized." He added, "We expect science and technology specialized universities to actively engage in various areas such as securing original technologies, cultivating and securing manpower, operating specialized curricula for national essential strategic technologies, conducting joint research among industry, academia, and research institutes, regional cooperation, and revitalizing startups."

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