Korea Institute of Science and Technology

The Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) is a multi-disciplinary research institute located in Seoul, South Korea. Founded in 1966, it was the first multi-disciplinary scientific research institute in Korea and has contributed significantly to the economic development of the country, particularly during the years of accelerated growth in the 1970’s and 1980’s. It has a research staff of over 400 scientists involved in basic research in six research divisions.

Research Divisions

The Future Fusion Technology Laboratory was established to support the South Korean national research agenda. It offers a world class research platform and acts as a public research facility by allowing outside access to its exceptional equipment and facilities. Currently, it focuses its research on neural science, computational science, and human interface technology.

The Nano-Science Research Division is primarily focused on the development of basic nano-materials, creation of novel devices based on spintronics and new nano-device concepts and application of nano-bio devices to improve human health and national economic strength.

The Materials Science and Technology Research Division is primarily focused on the development of fundamental technologies in functional surface and interface modification, hybrid materials, thin film materials and processes, energy materials, and high temperature materials.

The Intelligent System Research Division is developing fundamental and application technologies for intelligent human-computer interaction and intelligent robots. It focuses research on technologies related to mechanical hardware, system software, micro energy sources, communication, sensors and actuators.

The Energy and Environmental Research Division focuses on environmental monitoring, management and control technologies, and next-generation energy systems such as advanced fuel cells and batteries.

The Life Sciences Research Division was established to focus on the development of cutting-edge diagnostic technology such as early diagnosis devices, personalized medicine, and bionic organs, and the therapeutics of human diseases, particularly brain diseases.

Other programs

KIST opened an additional research facility in South Korea in April, 2006, in Gangwon Province. The KIST Gangneung Institute was established to promote specialized industrial development in the province through environmental research based on the rich natural resources and ecology of the area.

In addition to its South Korea-based facilities, KIST established a European operation in 1996 in Saarbrücken, Germany. The goal of KIST Europe is to expand scientific and technological cooperation between South Korea and the EU countries. To date, research has focused on environment technology, human engineering and medtronics.

KIST has been actively promoting international cooperation through joint research projects, scientist exchange programs, and the sponsorship of international workshops and symposia. Cooperative agreements exist with over 50 foreign research institutes in 25 different countries and this number is expected to expand significantly in coming years.

In addition, KIST puts a great deal of emphasis on training research scientists, not only from South Korean universities, but from many foreign countries as well. The International R&D Academy (IRDA) was established at KIST in 2001 to train and educate foreign scientists and engineers. M.S. and Ph.D degrees are awarded to these students through KIST’s collaboration with the University of Science and Technology. The IRDA program has over 75 students from over 15 countries and is expected to grow to 100 students by 2010.

External links

* [http://www.kist.re.kr KIST website]
* [http://www.kist-europe.de KIST Europe]
* [http://irda.kist.re.kr International R&D Academy]