On May 9, UNIST and Korea University formalized a strategic partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in the Market Hall of the University-Industry Cooperation Building at UNIST. The agreement aims to foster joint research in advanced technology fields and promote talent exchange between the two institutions.
This collaboration marks the beginning of a sustainable cooperative framework focused on cultivating an advanced research ecosystem. The partnership discussions originated in early March through consultations between the presidents of both universities. After four rounds of practical discussions, specific collaboration plans were finalized. These discussions examined joint research program operation, curriculum integration, shared infrastructure utilization, and governance establishment.
As part of the agreement, the universities will establish a 'Convergence Cooperation Committee' responsible for identifying and advancing tangible collaborative projects.
Key areas of cooperation include: △ Joint research through seed funds dedicated to strategic technology fields, △ Collaborative research centered on strengths in AI, energy, biotechnology, and environmental sciences, △ Exchange of lectures and academic credits, and operation of joint supervision systems, △ Hosting biannual joint conferences, △ Sharing research and welfare infrastructure.
President Chong Rae Park of UNIST (right) and President Dong-One Kim of Korea University (left) took a commemorative photo after signing the MOU.
President Chong Rae Park of UNIST stated, "This agreement provides a foundation for combining the research capabilities of both institutions to jointly respond to future national strategic technologies," and added, "We will actively support efforts to turn this partnership into tangible outcomes."
President Dong-One Kim of Korea University remarked, "This partnership with UNIST marks the beginning of a strong collaboration that will open the future not only for Korea but for humanity as a whole," and expressed his hope that "[B]ased on mutual trust and solidarity, we will co-create a new model of higher education."
