"An Era of Research Administration Specialists"... UNIST Launches Korea's First Certification-Based Training Program

Regular Course of 'U Research Administration Academy' to Be Held for Three Days Starting July 14
200 Participants, Practical Training Linked to Certification, Creating an Environment for Research Immersion

UNIST (President Park Jongrae) will hold the '2025 1st Research Administration Specialist Training Course' from July 14 to July 16 at Engineering Building 108.

This course marks the first official training program of the 'U Research Administration Academy,' which was established by UNIST to cultivate research administration specialists. The program aims to enhance the practical skills and expertise of research administration personnel.

The program is linked to the 'Research Administration Specialist Certification System.' UNIST is the first institution in Korea to introduce a certification-based education system.

The certification system evaluates both the professional knowledge and practical skills of research administration specialists and grants official certification based on completion criteria. It is currently being piloted at UNIST and is planned to be expanded to external institutions starting in 2026.

Related organizations have also shown significant interest. Over 200 research administration specialists from institutions such as UNIST, University of Ulsan, POSTECH, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology, and Korea East-West Power have applied to participate.

The courses cover 12 key topics, including: understanding national R&D projects; understanding Ministry of Science and ICT and Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy R&D projects; practical use of IRIS, Integrated EZBaro, and Integrated RCMS systems; research statistics; research security; and intellectual property rights.

This training has been designed and will be taught directly by UNIST research administration practitioners. The content is aimed at immediate practical application, with a focus on advancing the specialization and modernization of research administration.

UNIST has been a leader in research administration to enable researchers to focus solely on their research. Last year, the university hosted the '1st Research Administration Knowledge Festival in UNIST,' which promoted exchange within the domestic research administration community.

President Park Jongrae stated, "Research administration is an essential partner in enhancing research outcomes," and added, "UNIST will establish a foundation to reliably recognize and systematically manage practical competencies."

Kim Kwanmyung, Director of Research Affairs, commented, "Through education and certification systems that reflect field demands, we will strengthen the expertise of research administration personnel and create an environment that fosters research immersion," adding, "At the same time, we will strive to ensure that these professionals take pride in their roles."

Starting with this training, UNIST plans to regularize the research administration specialist training course and promote the establishment of the certification system. The university also aims to expand cooperation with various domestic institutions to become a national hub for research administration workforce development.