SK On Expands Battery Talent Development with UNIST... "Research and Development Are the Source of Competitiveness"

Agreement Signed to Extend 'e-SKB' Program... More Outstanding Talent
Expanded Departments and Addition of Doctoral Track

SK On is strengthening its collaboration with Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) to foster talent in the battery sector. The strategy aims to secure outstanding talent and broaden the foundation for research and development, thereby enhancing future competitiveness.

SK On-UNIST e-SKB Program Extension Agreement Ceremony. Provided by SK On

On May 28, SK On announced that it had signed an agreement with UNIST to extend the "SK Battery Education Program (e-SKB) Industry-Academia Cooperative Course." The signing ceremony took place the previous day at the UNIST main building in Ulju-gun, Ulsan Metropolitan City, and was attended by Ahn Hyunsil, Vice President of UNIST; Park Kisoo, Head of Research and Development (R&D) at SK On; Lee Seungno, Head of Advanced Process Development at SK On; and Kim Youngsik, Head of the UNIST Industry-Academia Cooperation Group.

The "e-SKB" program, jointly developed by SK On and UNIST, was launched in March 2022 to nurture battery professionals. Students admitted to the program receive tuition support and academic-industry incentives, and upon graduation, are given preferential opportunities for employment at SK On.

Through this agreement, both parties agreed not only to extend the period of cooperation but also to expand the participating departments and the selection pool for the e-SKB program. The program, previously limited to the Department of Energy and Chemical Engineering, will now include the Departments of Mechanical Engineering and Electrical and Electronic Engineering. In addition, students will be able to pursue doctoral studies in addition to the master's track. Previously, only students entering UNIST for the first time could apply for the e-SKB program, but going forward, current students will also be eligible to apply. Support for faculty research activities and thesis supervision will also be strengthened.

After the signing ceremony, Park Kisoo gave a special lecture to current UNIST students, sharing insights on the outlook for battery technology and SK On's research and development strategies.

Speaking to an audience of about 80 students and faculty members, he said, "As the demands of the market and customers become more diverse, the scope of battery research and development is also expanding, and the importance of R&D personnel is growing accordingly," adding, "SK On will solidify its 'tech leadership' with differentiated technologies and continue to strengthen its future competitiveness."