Goinseok, Director of Seoul Institute of Technology, Appointed as the First President of the National Association of Provincial Science and Technology Research Institutes

Over 20 National Local Government-Affiliated Research Institutes in Science and Technology Attend at Korea Press Center on the 25th... Expecting Revitalization of Regional Economy and Balanced Development Based on Science and Technology through Joint Research and Mutual Cooperation Among Institutions

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] The inaugural general meeting of the “National Association of Provincial Science and Technology Research Institutes” (hereinafter referred to as the “Association”), a nationwide coalition of local research institutes primarily focused on scientific and technological research, was held on the 25th at the Korea Press Center to explore information exchange, joint technology development, and research project promotion for regional science and technology advancement.

At the inaugural meeting, the Association’s first president, Ko In-seok, director of the Seoul Technology Research Institute (photo), Vice President Cha Seon-woo, director of the Geumsan International Ginseng and Herbal Medicine Research Institute, and about 20 heads of member institutions, along with Lee Hak-young, chairman of the National Assembly’s Industry, Trade, Energy, Small and Medium Enterprises Committee, Kim Hak-jin, Seoul City Deputy Mayor for Administration, and Seong Heum-je, chairman of the Seoul Metropolitan Council’s Urban Safety and Construction Committee, commemorated the launch of the Association.

Until now, nationwide local government-funded research institutes in the field of science and technology have made significant efforts to revitalize regional economies and promote regional science and technology R&D based on region-centered science and technology. However, technology development has been limited mainly to region-specific specialized technologies, and difficulties in sharing information between regions have revealed limitations in technology transfer and sharing know-how for technology development.

Through the newly established Association, about 20 research institutes will cooperate to further activate specialized local industries and promote balanced development among regions.

To this end, the Association plans to pursue ▲ joint research on technology and policy for the promotion and dissemination of regional science and technology ▲ joint proposals for systems and policies to promote and disseminate regional science and technology ▲ mutual utilization of developed technologies and research results ▲ joint promotion of technology development and research projects ▲ mutual exchange of information and data as well as research personnel exchanges.

Ko In-seok, elected as the first president (director of the Seoul Technology Research Institute), said, “The role and importance of local government-funded research institutes in the field of science and technology are growing day by day. Through efforts such as jointly discovering various technologies and policy agendas within the Association, we will strive to contribute not only to regional economic growth but also to improving the convenience of residents’ lives.”

Lee Hak-young, chairman of the National Assembly’s Industry, Trade, Energy, Small and Medium Enterprises Committee, stated in his congratulatory speech, “The National Assembly recognizes the importance of regional science and technology for regional economic growth, and through the launch of this Association, we will endeavor to support related matters so that the growth of local government-funded research institutes and the improvement of the quality of life of local residents can be tangibly felt.”