KAIST

As the Japanese government dropped Korea from its ‘White List’ of favored trade partner status last week, KAIST launched an advisory group to help the SMEs that are expected to be the most affected by the decision.

President Sung-Chul Shin announced on August 5 that KAIST is launching KAIST Advisors on Materials and Parts (KAMP), which is composed of 100 faculty members from five fields. President Shin said that KAIST would like to use this national crisis as an opportunity to make another leap forward by taking very timely and appropriate actions to help Korean SMEs achieve technological independence.

Headed by the Vice Dean of the College of Engineering, Sung-Yool Choi, KAMP will mainly advise in the fields of materials, parts, and equipment, which are crucial components for Korea’s key industries of semiconductors, energy, and automobiles. President Shin made the announcement following a meeting with senior leadership over the weekend. Faculty members including honorary professors from each committee’s department will be included as advisory group members.

In the letter sent out to the entire faculty right after the meeting, President Shin stressed the roles and responsibilities of scientists and engineers, especially from KAIST, which was founded with the national mission to foster the scientists and engineers urgently needed to work for the nation’s industrialization and R&D. He also said, “We now take on our new calling to deal with technology hegemony in the midst of this crisis caused by the worsening tensions between the two countries.” He added, “Soldiers were the main force in the frontline protecting the country during the period in which the military ruled. However, in this era where technology reigns, especially in the face of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, scientists and engineers should come forward to the frontlines.”

KAMP will be composed of the following five technology committees:
- The Advanced Materials Committee led by the Head of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering
- The Chemistry and Biology Committee led by the Head of the Department of Chemistry
- The Chemical Engineering and Equipment Committee led by the Head of the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
- The Electronics and Computer Committee led by the Head of the School of Electrical Engineering
- The Machinery and Aerospace Committee led by the Head of Department of the Mechanical Engineering

KAMP will support the development of 159 key technologies out of the 1,194 on the affected list. To promptly respond to the SMEs’ technological challenges, KAMP will designate an exclusive advisor based on the technological challenges they are experiencing.

Serving as emergency tech service providers, KAMP will identify and analyze the problems and will systematically manage the problem-solving procedures. In close collaboration with the Office of University-Industry Cooperation, KAMP will drive the innovative growth of Korea and will help it become highly technologically competitive and independent in the fields of key materials, parts, and equipment. President Shin said the university will make every effort institutionally and financially to make this advisory group’s work successful.

For SMEs who wish to use the KAMP advisory service, call +82-(0)42-350-6119 or send an email to smbrnd@kaist.ac.kr.

< Head Advisor of KAMP Sung-Yool Choi providing advisory service to SMEs >

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