Yoon Byung-tae, Mayor of Naju, "Supporting Kentec's Leap to a World Top 10 Energy Specialized University"

Published 28 Aug.2022 20:48(KST)

Introducing Naju History and Administrative Directions under the Theme "The Future with Naju and Kentek"

Proposing Cooperation and Contribution Projects for Creating an Advanced Science City Ecosystem in the New Energy Industry

Yoon Byung-tae, Mayor of Naju City, is giving a special lecture at the Kentec Professors Workshop. Photo by Naju City

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yukbong] Yoon Byung-tae, mayor of Naju, took time to introduce Naju in front of all professors of Korea Energy Technology University (KENTECH).

According to Naju City on the 28th, Mayor Yoon was invited as a special lecturer on the first day of the ‘2022 KENTECH Summer All Professors Meeting and Workshop’ held over two days from the 24th to 25th at the Jungheung Gold Spa Resort.

Before the lecture, Mayor Yoon said, “I consider it a great honor to give a lecture in front of world-renowned scholars and professors of KENTECH,” adding, “I am committed to helping the professors understand and empathize with what kind of place Naju is where they live and breathe, as well as the direction of the 8th elected administration’s policies.”

Under the theme of ‘The Future of Naju and KENTECH Together,’ Mayor Yoon proposed and suggested visions for exchange and cooperation between the two institutions to create an energy industry-academia-research cluster ecosystem and to establish a foundation for an advanced science city, along with KENTECH’s regional contribution projects.

He also helped KENTECH professors settled in Naju understand by explaining Naju’s history and figures spanning from the ancient Mahan period through Goryeo, Joseon, and modern times, general status such as population and budget, tourist attractions, and the direction and current issues of the 8th elected administration’s policies.

Mayor Yoon introduced Naju by saying, “Naju flourished with unique cultures such as tumuli and pottery from the Mahan period centered on the Yeongsan River, and played an important strategic role during the transitional period of the founding of Goryeo and Joseon,” adding, “From a historical and cultural city once called ‘Sogyeong’ resembling Hanyang, Naju is now leaping forward as a mecca of new energy industries through the relocation of 16 public institutions to the innovation city.”

He then explained the 8th elected administration’s policy directions, including the national garden designation following the development of the Yeongsan River reservoir, branding of Naju pears and solving rural labor shortages, creating a premium education city through the establishment of a future education support center and international schools, and resolving issues such as SRF and odor problems through rational decision-making methods.

Mayor Yoon requested active cooperation for the creation of an energy industry-academia-research cluster based on KENTECH’s excellent human resources and research achievements, and the establishment of an advanced science city ecosystem leading to commercialization and startups.

He also proposed operating programs to activate human resource sharing, such as ‘mentoring between KENTECH university students and local students’ and ‘high school credit system in energy and science fields.’

After the lecture, professors suggested through a Q&A session with Mayor Yoon the establishment of a policy discussion table with Naju City for the creation of a ‘City Campus’ KENTECH, and the formation of a task force to promote investment activation in the Energy Valley by large corporations and private companies.

Mayor Yoon promised, “The growth and development of KENTECH is the growth engine of Naju,” and pledged, “We will actively support KENTECH to soar vigorously as a top 10 global energy-specialized university and a leading model of university education innovation in Korea.”