Minister Bae Hoon Visits University Research Sites
to Gather Opinions on the New Administration's
Basic Research Policy Direction
"It is necessary to establish a predictable basic research support system to maximize the autonomy and creativity of researchers."
A forum has been established to openly discuss on-site issues for the recovery and growth of Korea's basic research ecosystem and to seek solutions directly from the field. On August 7, the Ministry of Science and ICT held a meeting at Chungbuk National University to listen to voices from the field for the formulation of the (tentatively named) "New Administration's Basic Research Promotion Plan."
At this meeting, which was organized so that Science and ICT Minister Hoon Bae could visit a regional university in person, listen to researchers' firsthand opinions, and reflect on-site difficulties and suggestions in policy, field researchers pointed out that "the number of basic research projects has recently decreased significantly, undermining academic diversity, and that research autonomy and predictability have been diminished due to the sudden termination of research projects and across-the-board budget cuts."
In addition, professors working on the front lines of research and master's-level researchers participating in the meeting proposed various measures to flexibly respond to the changing environment, including: ▲ expanding the research infrastructure of universities, ▲ integrating basic science and AI, and ▲ retaining outstanding research talent and attracting international talent.
In particular, there were a variety of opinions on key pledges of the Lee Jaemyung administration, including: ▲ restoring grassroots research and recovering the number of basic research projects that have been reduced, ▲ establishing a predictable basic research support system to maximize researcher autonomy and creativity, ▲ expanding long-term and stable support for basic research, and ▲ alleviating administrative burdens to create an environment conducive to research immersion.
Minister Bae stated, "Since basic research is an area where new knowledge is explored based on diverse ideas, it is most important to create an environment where our researchers can immerse themselves in research autonomously and with predictability." He added, "Based on the various opinions presented here today, we plan to swiftly (by November) establish the (tentatively named) 'New Administration Basic Research Promotion Plan' to lay the foundation for not just the recovery but also the sustainable growth of the basic research ecosystem."
Meanwhile, after the meeting, Minister Bae toured major research facilities at the Chungbuk Quantum Research Center at Chungbuk National University, which is the only national university hub in Korea to possess a quantum computer, and encouraged researchers, including student researchers.
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