UNIST Holds '2025 UNIST Research Administration Day' on December 10
First Graduation Ceremony for 'Research Administration Expert Certificate', Boosting Professionalism in Research Administration
In the era of artificial intelligence (AI), will the chronic issue of administrative work overload for researchers finally be resolved?
On December 10, UNIST (President Chong Rae Park) held the '2025 UNIST Research Administration Day' at Ananti Cove in Gijang, Busan.
Marking its third year, 'UNIST Research Administration Day' shared the importance of research administration and the process of advancing research administration in Korea, and also held the first graduation ceremony for the 'Research Administration Expert Certificate'.
On the 10th, the '2025 UNIST Research Administration Day' was held at Ananti Cove in Gijang, Busan. Photo by UNIST
About 140 research administration staff members from UNIST participated in a variety of year-end programs at the event.
Through the 'Research Administration Expert Training Program', which was a key initiative this year, two researchers (Seo Geunsook and Park Junghwa from the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering) obtained the 'Research Administration Expert Certificate'.
Researchers who obtained the Research Administration Specialist Certificate are taking a commemorative photo. (From left: Kim Kwanmyung, Head of Research Office; Seo Geunsook; Park Junghwa)
They earned Level 1 certification, having fulfilled all requirements: completion of at least 40 academic credits, more than one year of experience, and a score of at least 70 points on the evaluation exam.
Seo Geunsook commented, "My experience as a mentor for administrative researchers greatly contributed to my professional development. I am grateful to the researchers I mentored for the first time, and I will continue striving to contribute to the advancement of research administration."
President Chong Rae Park stated, "As a pioneer in the advancement of research administration, UNIST is systematically nurturing the specialized talent needed in the field. I congratulate the first recipients of the certificate and will continue to expand a culture where research administrators can grow and communicate with one another."
This year's 'UNIST Research Administration Day' program focused on the future of the research administration environment amid rapid technological change and strategies for responding to challenges in the field.
An Hyunshil, Vice President for Research at UNIST, delivered a special lecture on 'Research Administration in the AI Era', emphasizing, "Research support systems are rapidly being reorganized based on AI, and research administrators must expand their roles as professional partners leading these changes."
Next, Lee Kwangho, Head of Research Planning, shared the latest trends and government and private sector policies for advancing research administration, explaining, "In line with policy changes, UNIST is also accelerating field-oriented innovation."
Son Suyeon, Head of Research Management, reported on the outcomes of the 'Research Administration Expert Training Program' and the current status of the certification system, both of which are being implemented to systematically strengthen research administration capabilities.
In the afternoon, a participatory program titled 'The Art of Execution: AI Edition' was held, where participants tackled real-world research administration challenges. Attendees formed teams to develop ideas for improving AI-based research and development expenditure execution, selected outstanding ideas through brainstorming, presentations, and on-site voting. Participants responded that it was a meaningful opportunity to revisit actual work challenges from an AI perspective and collaboratively seek solutions.
Kim Kwanmyung, Head of the Research Office, stated, "Research administration is a crucial pillar supporting the research field and has played a key role in UNIST's growth as a research-oriented university. We will continue to strengthen our research administration support system so that researchers can fully focus on their research."
'Research Administration Day' originated from the United States, which officially designated September 25 as 'National Research Administration Day' to recognize the contributions of research administration professionals and raise public awareness.
In the United States, various institutions actively promote the importance of research administration through successful events, and global exchanges are thriving, centered on the Society of Research Administrators International (SRAI), with education, training, certification, and annual conferences.
UNIST is leading the enhancement of research administration expertise in Korea by introducing these international trends domestically. Going forward, UNIST plans to spearhead improvements in the research environment by strengthening research administration expert training and certification, as well as expanding participatory programs.
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