Professors An Jihoon and Kim Kihyun Awarded the 32nd Sudang Prize

Sudang Foundation, the scholarship foundation of Samyang Group, announced on the 4th that it held the ‘32nd Sudang Award’ ceremony at Lotte Hotel in Sogong-dong, Seoul on the 3rd. The recipients of this Sudang Award were Professor An Ji-hoon of the Department of Life Sciences at Korea University and Associate Professor Kim Ki-hyun of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Hanyang University.

At the 32nd Sudang Award Ceremony held on the 3rd at Lotte Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul, Kim Yoon, Chairman of the Sudang Foundation, Professor An Ji-hoon and his spouse from the Department of Life Sciences at Korea University, Associate Professor Kim Ki-hyun and his spouse from the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Hanyang University, and Jin Jeong-il, Chairman of the Sudang Award Steering Committee (from left), are posing for a commemorative photo.
[Photo by Sudang Foundation]

The Sudang Award was established in 1973 to inherit and develop the spirit of nurturing talent of Sudang Kim Yeon-su, the founder of Samyang Group, and to support researchers who have contributed to the advancement of academic fields in Korea. Two researchers who have achieved outstanding accomplishments in the fields of natural sciences, applied sciences, and humanities and social sciences are selected and awarded.

Professor An Ji-hoon, selected as the recipient in the basic science category, was recognized for pioneering the world’s first research on ‘flowering time regulation in response to atmospheric temperature changes’ while studying the regulation of flowering time in higher plants, making it a core research topic in academia. He said, “I will not be satisfied with the current research achievements and will strive to obtain research results that are valuable not only academically but also socially and economically,” adding, “I will devote myself to nurturing talent for the advancement of science and national development in Korea.”

In the applied science category, Professor Kim Ki-hyun was selected for his achievements in developing air purification technology and pollutant quantification technology, contributing to the analysis and resolution of various issues related to air pollution. Professor Kim said, “As numerous air pollution problems such as yellow dust, ozone alerts, and airborne COVID-19 virus have occurred, securing technology for clean air has become very important,” and added, “I will focus my research capabilities on air purification technology to create a world where many people can experience and live with clean air.”

The award ceremony proceeded in the order of an opening speech by Kim Yoon, chairman of the Sudang Foundation, a progress report by Jin Jeong-il, chairman of the Sudang Award steering committee, screening of the recipient introduction video, awarding, and acceptance speeches. The recipients were awarded a prize money of 200 million KRW and a plaque.

In his opening remarks, Chairman Kim said, “I express my gratitude and respect to the two recipients who have contributed to the advancement of science through new challenges and relentless efforts,” and added, “I hope you will continue the spirit of nurturing talent of the Sudang Award through even greater research achievements and fostering future scholars.”

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