Gachon University to Open Battery Future Technology Institute on 11th... Vision of 'Top-tier Research Institute'

Gachon University has opened the Battery Future Technology Research Institute.

On the 11th, Gachon University held the opening ceremony of the 'Battery Future Technology Research Institute' at the Gachon Convention Center and unveiled its vision to become a 'world TOP 10, Korea's No. 1 ultra-leading research institute.'

The inaugural director of the Battery Future Technology Research Institute was appointed as Shin Young-jun, former Vice President (CTO·Chief Technology Officer) of LG Energy Solution.

Professor Shin, recruited as a distinguished professor, is a leading expert in Korea's battery field, leading the development of next-generation battery technologies such as lithium-sulfur batteries and all-solid-state batteries, as well as industry-academia cooperation.

Gichul Lee, President of Gachon University, is cheering with attendees at the opening ceremony of the Gachon University Battery Future Technology Research Institute on the 11th. Photo by Gachon University

In his introduction and vision presentation, Director Shin Young-jun revealed that the Battery Future Technology Research Institute aims to become an ultra-leading research institute that first comes to mind when thinking of 'battery,' based on three core strategies: strengthening industry-academia-research cooperation, enhancing research infrastructure, and operating practical education programs.

The institute plans to discover joint research projects through close collaboration with industries and promote substantial industry-academia-research cooperation through joint future technology research with KETI and inviting practical faculty members.

Additionally, the institute will continuously expand the recruitment of new faculty members specializing in core materials, battery design, and advanced analysis from the current 28 members, strengthen research infrastructure by constructing a new industry-academia cooperation building and establishing shared analysis equipment. On the education front, it will develop trend-based curricula, provide practice-oriented education using KETI's pilot equipment, and operate joint research and exchange programs with overseas universities to cultivate talent with both practicality and international competitiveness.

Gachon University established a Battery Engineering major in the undergraduate program in 2022 and admitted its first freshmen in 2023.

Along with this, it was selected for the government ministry collaborative secondary battery industry technology manpower training project in 2022 and the advanced field innovation convergence university project in 2023. Last month, it was uniquely selected nationwide in the battery field of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy's '2025 Advanced Industry Specialized Graduate School Support Project,' receiving 15 billion KRW in funding over five years.

In his congratulatory speech, Gachon University President Lee Gil-yeo stated, "The Battery Future Technology Research Institute will be a platform where industry, academia, and research organically cooperate, as well as a hub for technology commercialization and talent cultivation," adding, "Based on the battery specialization and strategic roadmap we have pursued so far, we will lead the future of the domestic and international battery industry."