Launch of Research Units under KNU’s Three Convergence Research Institutes (Basic Science, Advanced Technology, Bio), Accelerating Leap Toward a Research-Oriented University
- Date
- 2025/09/24
- Writer
- English
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- 385
Kyungpook National University (KNU) has officially launched research units under its Three Convergence Research Institutes as part of its initiative to become a research-oriented university.
On September 17, KNU held the Inaugural Ceremony for Research Units under the Three Convergence Research Institutes at Hyoseok Hall in KNU Global Plaza. The event was attended by more than 400 participants, including KNU President Young-Woo Heo, Eun-Hee Choi (Director General for Talent Policy, Ministry of Education), Eun-Ah Lee (Director of University Policy, Daegu Metropolitan City), Dong-Heon Yang (President of Kyungpook National University Hospital), and Pan-Gil Seo (President of the Korea Brain Research Institute).
The ceremony aimed to introduce the major project plans of the research units while sharing their respective research visions and collaboration strategies. The program included a declaration of an integrated vision for the Three Convergence Research Institutes, followed by presentations on their 1) key projects and directions, 2) collaboration strategies with local governments and industries through the Glocal University and RISE initiatives, 3) the establishment of joint research platforms with university hospitals and government-funded institutes, and 4) research plans for each unit.
In January of this year, KNU established the Institute for Basic Science Convergence (Director: Sung-Hwa Jhung), the Institute for Advanced Technology Convergence (Director: Dong-Seog Han), and the Institute for Bio Convergence (Director: Sang-Hyun Kim). Following a public call for proposals, 12 research units were finalized by the end of August. The Institute for Basic Science Convergence established units on climate change, environmental pollution, the low birthrate and aging society, and well-being. The Institute for Advanced Technology Convergence set up units on robotics, mobility, semiconductors, and AI. The Institute for Bio Convergence created units on new drug development, medical devices, healthcare, and an additional new drug development unit (to be directly overseen by the Director).
This year, the research units will be funded with a total of 4.2 billion KRW from the Glocal University Project. The funds will support the establishment of joint research platforms, development of core technologies, recruitment of joint appointment (JA) professors, expansion of global networks, cultivation of the next generation of researchers, and performance management. Furthermore, based on the newly created units, the Institute for Basic Science Convergence will focus on addressing regional challenges through convergence between the basic sciences and the humanities/social sciences, the Institute for Advanced Technology Convergence will drive technology development in Daegu’s strategic new industries (D5), and the Institute for Bio Convergence will concentrate on developing new drugs and medical devices while leveraging medical resources.
KNU President Heo remarked, “KNU has completed a full framework to institutionalize multidisciplinary research by establishing the Three Convergence Research Institutes as a core initiative of the Glocal University 30 Project and organizing a total of 12 research units under them. I expect that the creative and ambitious plans presented by these research units will create synergies, serving as a driving force for KNU to generate pioneering research outcomes that will lead Korea forward.”
On September 17, KNU held the Inaugural Ceremony for Research Units under the Three Convergence Research Institutes at Hyoseok Hall in KNU Global Plaza. The event was attended by more than 400 participants, including KNU President Young-Woo Heo, Eun-Hee Choi (Director General for Talent Policy, Ministry of Education), Eun-Ah Lee (Director of University Policy, Daegu Metropolitan City), Dong-Heon Yang (President of Kyungpook National University Hospital), and Pan-Gil Seo (President of the Korea Brain Research Institute).
The ceremony aimed to introduce the major project plans of the research units while sharing their respective research visions and collaboration strategies. The program included a declaration of an integrated vision for the Three Convergence Research Institutes, followed by presentations on their 1) key projects and directions, 2) collaboration strategies with local governments and industries through the Glocal University and RISE initiatives, 3) the establishment of joint research platforms with university hospitals and government-funded institutes, and 4) research plans for each unit.
In January of this year, KNU established the Institute for Basic Science Convergence (Director: Sung-Hwa Jhung), the Institute for Advanced Technology Convergence (Director: Dong-Seog Han), and the Institute for Bio Convergence (Director: Sang-Hyun Kim). Following a public call for proposals, 12 research units were finalized by the end of August. The Institute for Basic Science Convergence established units on climate change, environmental pollution, the low birthrate and aging society, and well-being. The Institute for Advanced Technology Convergence set up units on robotics, mobility, semiconductors, and AI. The Institute for Bio Convergence created units on new drug development, medical devices, healthcare, and an additional new drug development unit (to be directly overseen by the Director).
This year, the research units will be funded with a total of 4.2 billion KRW from the Glocal University Project. The funds will support the establishment of joint research platforms, development of core technologies, recruitment of joint appointment (JA) professors, expansion of global networks, cultivation of the next generation of researchers, and performance management. Furthermore, based on the newly created units, the Institute for Basic Science Convergence will focus on addressing regional challenges through convergence between the basic sciences and the humanities/social sciences, the Institute for Advanced Technology Convergence will drive technology development in Daegu’s strategic new industries (D5), and the Institute for Bio Convergence will concentrate on developing new drugs and medical devices while leveraging medical resources.
KNU President Heo remarked, “KNU has completed a full framework to institutionalize multidisciplinary research by establishing the Three Convergence Research Institutes as a core initiative of the Glocal University 30 Project and organizing a total of 12 research units under them. I expect that the creative and ambitious plans presented by these research units will create synergies, serving as a driving force for KNU to generate pioneering research outcomes that will lead Korea forward.”