The 2025 UNIST Research Administration Day was successfully concluded on December 10, 2025, at Ananti Cove in Gijang, Busan on December 10, 2025. Now in its third year, this annual event brought together approximately 140 research administrators and staffs to share best practices, address emerging challenges, and enhance professional expertise in research administration.
This year's program focused on the evolving role of research administration in the AI era, highlighting institutional responses to rapid technological change. The event also marked a significant milestone with the first completion ceremony of UNIST Research Administration Certification Program, underscoring the university's commitment to cultivating field-ready expertise through a structured and systematic approach.
The 2025 UNIST Research Administration Day was successfully concluded on December 10, 2025, at Ananti Cove in Gijang, Busan on December 10, 2025.
Through the inaugural Research Administration Expert Training Program introduced this year, two UNIST staff members-Jung Hwa Park and Keun Suk Seo from the Department of Electrical Engineering-successfully earned Level 1 certification after meeting requirements in coursework, professional experience, and assessment performance.
Reflecting on the experience, Keun Suk Seo commented, "Serving as a mentor to fellow research administrators was a meaningful experience that contributed directly to strengthening my own professional capabilities. I am grateful to those I mentored and look forward to continuing to contribute to the development of research administration."
Recipients of the UNIST Research Administration Certificattion pose for a commemorative photo. From left are Director Kwan-Myung Kim of UNIST Office of Research Affairs, Keun Suk Seo, and Jung Hwa Park.
In his remarks, UNIST President Chong Rae Park congratulated the first certification recipients and emphasized the importance of professional growth in research administration, noting that "UNIST will continue to expand opportunities for administrators to develop expertise and collaborate as strategic partners in research."
Vice President Hyun-Sil Ahn delivered a special lecture on the future of research administration in the AI era.
The program featured a special lecture by Vice President for Research Hyun-Sil Ahn, who addressed the future of research administration in the AI era. He noted that "[R]esearch support systems are rapidly transitioning toward AI-based platforms and emphasized the need for research administrators to expand their role as professional partners leading this transformation."
KwangHo Lee, Head of the Research Planning Team, shared insights into recent research administration policy developments across government and industry, noting that UNIST is accelerating field-oriented innovation in step with these changes. SooYoun Son, Head of the Research Management Team, presented the operational outcomes of the Research Administration Expert Training Program, including the current status of the certification system and its role in strengthening professional capacity.
Kwang-Ho Lee, Head of the Research Planning Team, presented on research administration policy trends.
Soo-Yeon Son, Head of the Research Management Team, introduced outcomes of the research administration training and certification program.
An interactive afternoon session invited participants to collaboratively explore AI-based solutions for improving research fund management. Working in groups, attendees examined real administrative challenges, exchanged ideas on applying AI technologies to research finance processes, and discussed practical approaches to improving efficiency and transparency in day-to-day operations.
Research administrators work together to re-examine administrative challenges through an AI-driven perspective.
Attendees participate in an interactive program aimed at applying AI technologies to everyday research administration tasks.
Collaborative problem-solving in action during the AI-focused execution workshop.
Director KwanMyung Kim of the Office of Research Affairs concluded the event by reaffirming UNIST's commitment to strengthening research administration systems so researchers can focus fully on innovation and discovery.
Kwan-Myung Kim, Director of the Office of Research Affairs, encouraged UNIST research administrators for their vital role in supporting the research ecosystem.
Research Administration Day traces its origins to the United States, where September 25 is officially recognized as the National Research Administration Day to honor the contributions of research administration professionals and raise public awareness of the field. In the U.S., institutions actively promote research administration through education, training, certification, and annual conferences, supported by global organizations, such as the Society of Research Administrators International (SRAI).
By introducing and adapting these international practices, UNIST is leading efforts in Korea to enhance professionalism in research administration. Moving forward, the university plans to further strengthen its training and certification programs and expand participatory initiatives to improve the overall research environment.
