Naju-si Accelerates Efforts to Establish a Global Energy New Industry Hub City

Published 04 Jul.2022 09:45(KST)

[Naju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yuk-bong] Jeollanam-do, Naju City, Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), and Korea Energy Engineering University have united their industry-academia-research-government capabilities to develop Naju into a global energy new industry hub city.

The city announced on the 4th that on the 1st, it signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with three organizations?Jeonnam Province, KEPCO, and Korea Energy Engineering University?at the city hall’s Ihwa Room to establish a foundation for a future advanced science city leading the energy new industry.

About 20 officials from each organization attended the signing ceremony, including Yoon Byung-tae, Mayor of Naju; Park Chang-hwan, Jeonnam Province Deputy Governor for Political Affairs; Lee Hyun-bin, KEPCO Vice President of Management Support; and Yoon Ui-jun, President of Korea Energy Engineering University.

This agreement focuses on building a cooperative system among the four organizations centered on Korea Energy Engineering University, located in the Naju (Bitgaram) Innovation City, to activate the industry-academia-research cluster and nurture the innovation city into a world-class ‘Energy International University City’ attracting global energy research talents.

The four organizations agreed to combine the excellent human and material resources of Korea Energy Engineering University with the local community to grow Bitgaram Innovation City into a world-renowned energy mecca city where education and industry converge.

To this end, they plan to promote the concentration of companies and research institutes within the innovation city, accelerate the creation of an energy-specialized cluster by expanding technology transfer, domestic and international research and development infrastructure, and entrepreneurship opportunities.

They will also actively work to improve educational and residential conditions in the innovation city by establishing prestigious middle and high schools such as international schools, and attract national large-scale research facilities near Korea Energy Engineering University, including an artificial sun engineering research institute and an ultra-high-power laser research facility.

Additionally, they are drafting plans for Korea Energy Engineering University’s ‘Energy Complex Convention Center,’ aiming to build a global platform where international-scale expos and conferences can be held and energy new industry experiences can be provided, fitting the concept of an energy international university city.

Mayor Yoon Byung-tae of Naju stated, “Through the organic cooperation of each organization, which is a leader group in the energy new industry sector, we will make Naju a leading city in national energy industry development and an energy international university city that cultivates outstanding talents.”

He added, “We ask for the active interest, cooperation, and generous support of Jeonnam Province, KEPCO, and Korea Energy Engineering University for establishing a future advanced science city foundation, including the creation of an industry-academia-research cluster linked with Korea Energy Engineering University, attracting national large-scale research facilities, and establishing international schools.”