UNIST Hosts National Research Administration Experts' Knowledge Sharing Festival

Over 330 Attendees from 25 Organizations

Two Honored with Merit Award for 30 Years of Service

More than 330 research administration professionals from across the country gathered at UNIST (President Lee Yonghoon) for the "Research Administration Knowledge Festival in UNIST."

This event, held at the UNIST Main Administration Building from the 18th to the 19th, saw participation from 25 institutions including POSTECH, KAIST, GIST, DGIST, Korea University, Institute for Basic Science, Chonnam National University, and the Korea Institute of Science and Technology Commercialization Promotion.

More than 330 officials from 25 institutions nationwide are participating in the "1st Research Administration Knowledge Festival in UNIST."

President Lee Yonghoon said in his congratulatory remarks, "This is a meaningful event voluntarily prepared and promoted by the practical teams responsible for research administration," and added, "I hope today's event will serve as a cornerstone for enhancing and advancing research administration expertise not only at UNIST but also across universities in Korea."

The "Research Administration Knowledge Festival in UNIST" was inspired by the international research administration annual conference of the US-based SRAI. The event was designed to introduce and spread a new educational method in Korea, where field experts with extensive practical experience share their knowledge, rather than simply delivering information unilaterally.

During the two-day event, participants attended lectures on various topics related to research administration and had opportunities to network with representatives from other institutions.

There were also eight invited lectures by external experts on topics such as knowledge and experience from various fields, the importance and direction of research administration as seen by researchers, advanced cases from administrative departments, UNIST’s efforts, and practical know-how from teams composed of research support staff.

Five teams made up of "UNIST Research Support Staff," administrative researchers dedicated to supporting research projects closely, drew attention for their proposals to share diverse knowledge and experience gained through hands-on work.

Kim Mi-ae, a researcher from the Department of Urban and Environmental Engineering, gave presentations on "Large Project Management" and "Mentoring Results." Kim said, "I remembered the early days when I started in research administration and wanted to help anyone," and added, "I am grateful for this valuable opportunity to recognize the importance of dedicated research administration roles and to develop our capabilities."

At the side event "Night of Research Administrators," a surprise event was held to present the "Super Research Administrator" award to senior professionals who have worked in research administration for over 30 years. This award went to Lee Kwangsook, who worked at KAIST for 41 years in the research management team, and Kang Kyungae, who has been in research administration at POSTECH for over 30 years.

Lee Kwangsook said, "I am happy to participate in such a wonderful event and very happy to receive this big award from my juniors," adding, "If I played the role of pioneering the wilderness, my juniors will sow high-quality seeds in the cultivated land and achieve excellent results."

Kang Kyungae said, "Since joining POSTECH, I have been in research administration for over 30 years, working almost as a 'standard,'" and encouraged her juniors by saying, "Even when things are tough and difficult, as long as you have clear standards, you can achieve anything, so work with confidence."

Yu Sinyeol, deputy director of the planning team at Korea University, who gave the final lecture, said, "I was moved to see participants enjoy and interact with each other at this event," and added, "Not only in research administration, but also in other fields, more value can be created if universities and institutions connect and collaborate."

Kim Jinyoung, director of research at UNIST, who organized the event, said, "To foster field-oriented experts needed in various research environments, we are proposing and implementing a four-stage development plan: motivation for research administrators working in the field, expert training, expert certification, and expert utilization," and added, "I hope this Research Administration Knowledge Festival will be the starting point for activating the research administration community in Korea and lead to more opportunities for cooperation in the future."

Next year, POSTECH and UNIST will jointly host the event under the title "Research Administration Knowledge Festival in POSTECH."

UNIST is holding the '1st Research Administration Knowledge Festival in UNIST' and taking a commemorative photo.

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