Chonnam National University and GIST Sign MOU to Foster Physician-Scientist Talent

On the 23rd, at the Chonnam National University headquarters, Chonnam National University and Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology signed a Memorandum of Understanding to cultivate talent in medical science. Provided by Chonnam National University

In a landscape where medical science research and talent development have been concentrated in the Seoul metropolitan area, Chonnam National University and the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) have launched efforts to build a new cooperation model. Chonnam National University and GIST will fully pursue a decentralized cooperation strategy that strengthens the nation’s competitiveness in medical science on a regional basis by combining clinical medical data with AI and basic science capabilities.

According to Chonnam National University on the 24th, the university signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) at its main administration building on the 23rd to foster talent in medical science, and agreed to put in place a cooperative framework for establishing a foundation for joint education and convergence research.

This agreement was pursued in line with the government’s policy direction on fostering physician-scientists. Its core goal is to establish a talent development system that integrates medicine with science and technology by combining the strengths of Chonnam National University College of Medicine, which has extensive clinical experience and medical data, and GIST, which possesses world-class capabilities in basic and convergence research as well as AI and data analysis.

Through the agreement, the two institutions plan to create an ecosystem for fostering talent in medical science that links education, research, and commercialization, and to cooperate in building a foundation that allows researchers in the region to secure both research continuity and career stability.

Under the agreement, they will gradually promote: (1) the establishment and operation of joint degree programs to foster convergence-type talent; (2) student exchanges and mutual recognition of academic credits; (3) the establishment and operation of a joint research institute; and (4) joint research and technology commercialization to put research outcomes into practical use.

In particular, they plan to build a training model that integrates education and research so that clinical physicians can systematically acquire basic science research capabilities and grow into physician-scientists.

Until now, projects to foster physician-scientists have mainly been carried out at large hospitals in the Seoul metropolitan area. Through this collaboration, however, the model of talent development based on cooperation between regional flagship universities and science and technology-focused universities is expected to expand. The two institutions agreed to guarantee clinical physicians sufficient time for research participation through the operation of a joint research institute and research exchanges, and to work together to build a stable career path that links degrees, research, and future careers.

In addition, by operating joint degree programs, they plan to establish a system for awarding degrees jointly in the names of the presidents of both institutions, and to continuously produce convergence-type research talent who understand both medicine and science and technology.

Chonnam National University President Lee Geunbae said, "Over the past decade or so, Chonnam National University and GIST have steadily built a foundation for fostering convergence talent through cooperation in biomedical engineering," adding, "This agreement is an expansion of that cooperation to systematically foster world-class medical science talent in the region."

GIST President Lim Kicheol said, "If Chonnam National University’s clinical experience and medical data are combined with GIST’s AI and data research capabilities, it will play a meaningful role in advancing the level of medical science in Korea," and added, "We hope that cooperation between the two institutions will serve as a foundation for strengthening the future competitiveness of the healthcare sector."