Retired Professors and Business Leaders Unite to Nurture Engineers... Launch of Busan Science and Technology Advisory Group

Koo Kyungyeol, CEO of BN Steel, Appointed Head of Sponsorship Committee
Knowledge Sharing, Seminars and Workshops, Mentoring and Collaboration

Retired professors and businesspeople who have been active in the field of engineering in Busan have joined forces to advance local science and technology and nurture the next generation.

The "Busan Science and Technology Advisory Group (BOOSTA·Busan Organization Of Science & Technology Advisors)" was established to give back their experience and knowledge to the local community even after retirement. The group officially launched its activities with an inauguration ceremony held at its office in Yuwon Golden Tower, Bujeon-dong, Busanjin-gu, on June 26, 2025.

BOOSTA was founded with the goal of restoring the competitiveness of the science and technology sectors in Busan, which has recently been weakening. Its core values are knowledge sharing, nurturing future generations, building networks, and contributing to society. Various activities are planned to foster young engineers in the region and enhance industrial competitiveness.

The inauguration ceremony of the Busan Science and Technology Advisory Group is underway.

The advisory group plans to use its Bujeon-dong office as a base to promote sharing of the latest technology trends, practical workshops, expert lectures, mentoring programs, and industry collaboration projects. In addition, it will offer science lectures for the general public to broaden its engagement with the local community.

The advisory board is led by Jang Jonguk, professor of computer engineering at Dong-Eui University, with Oh Amseok, professor of digital contents at Tongmyong University, and Noh Junghoon, professor of biomedical engineering at Pusan National University, serving as deputy heads. Other participating professors include Kim Dongil (professor emeritus of computer engineering, Dong-Eui University), Kim Changgyu (professor emeritus of information and communication engineering, Dong-Eui University), Jang Siwoong (professor of computer engineering, Dong-Eui University), Kwon Sunryang (professor emeritus of computer engineering, Tongmyong University), Kim Inho (professor emeritus of mechanical engineering, Tongmyong University), and Noh Taejung (professor emeritus of future automotive engineering, Tongmyong University), among many others.

An advisory council has also been formed. Moon Hyukjoo, former CEO of KNN, serves as chair of the council, with Woo Byunghyun, former CEO of Asia Economy Newspaper, Kim Hyungjin, press secretary at Busan Metropolitan City Office of Education, Kim Hakchan, director of external cooperation at UNIST, Kim Changryong, president of the Korea Youth Development Association (and former commissioner general of the Korean National Police Agency), and Lee Donghoon, attorney, all participating to support the organization’s management and planning.

Operating expenses for the advisory group are supported by local companies. Koo Kyungyeol, CEO of BN Steel, is head of the sponsorship committee, joined by Jung Jungshik, CEO of Donghwa Gongjo, Do Jonggyu, CEO of Hanscom, Lee Gwanggeun, CEO of PA, and Kang Byungcheol, CEO of Doul Information Technology.

The establishment of BOOSTA originated from the long-standing relationships of these key figures, which date back to their high school days. Professor Jang Jonguk, deputy heads Oh Amseok and Noh Junghoon, and sponsorship committee head Koo Kyungyeol are all alumni of the 26th graduating class of Kaya High School, and have regularly engaged in career lectures, mentoring, and scholarship support for local high school students.

Participants are shouting "Fighting" at the inauguration ceremony of the Busan Science and Technology Advisory Group.

After retirement, they were concerned that the ties of education and support might be severed, and agreed that "a more systematic approach is now needed." With the full support of Koo Kyungyeol, the group was established after a year of preparation.

They have recruited professors and businesspeople from various fields who share the group's mission and have secured spaces for lectures and seminars, preparing for full-scale activities. With a structure that enables experts from education, industry, and society to collaborate organically, the group is expected to become an influential private advisory organization in the future.

Jang Jonguk, head of the advisory board, stated, "We plan to pass on the accumulated expertise and experience of retired engineers to the next generation and operate sustainable educational programs," adding, "We will recruit more professors from various fields and expand our areas of support to play a key role in the development of engineering in Busan."

Koo Kyungyeol, head of the sponsorship committee, said, "It was regrettable to see the outstanding experience and knowledge of talented individuals go unused," and added, "I will do my best to ensure that their capabilities and passion become the foundation for Busan's future, creating a virtuous cycle that leads to regional industrial development and social contribution."