Seoul National University and Ajou University Selected for 'Graduate School of Science and Technology Policy'

[Asia Economy Reporter Junho Hwang] Seoul National University and Ajou University have been selected as new supported universities for the Graduate School of Science and Technology Policy to train experts in science and technology policy.

The Ministry of Science and ICT announced on the 8th that it selected 2 universities out of 6 applicants and will provide a total of 1.7 billion KRW in support over the next six years. Each university will officially operate master's and doctoral degree programs related to science and technology policy starting from the first semester of next year.

Seoul National University will establish an affiliated research institute for science and technology policy within the graduate school, modeled after the SPRU (Science Policy Research Unit) at the University of Sussex in the UK. It was selected by presenting specific academic achievement goals and plans, including publishing 10 SCI/SSCI-level papers, 30 KCI-level papers, and holding 5 academic conferences by 2026.

Ajou University received high evaluations by presenting a concrete plan to operate specialized joint research programs in cooperation with research institutes, SPRU, MIT, Tsinghua University, and others, aiming to cultivate core talents in industry-based science and technology policy linked to regional science and technology clusters (Pangyo, Gwanggyo, Dongtan Techno Valley).

The Ministry of Science and ICT has been conducting this project since 2011 to train advanced policy experts with multidisciplinary convergence capabilities in science and technology, economics, and humanities.

Kang Sangwook, Director of the Future Talent Policy Bureau, stated, "With the full-scale advent of the 4th Industrial Revolution and the spread of COVID-19, the environment for science and technology policy is rapidly changing, increasing the importance of specialized personnel in science and technology policy. We will actively support the Graduate School of Science and Technology Policy to grow into a globally competitive education and research institution."