Korean delegation visits University of Sussex Business School

The University of Sussex Business School recently hosted a distinguished delegation from Korea, comprising practitioners and experts from around fifteen government-funded research institutes.

The delegation visited Brighton in mid-June to attend the ARMA 2024 conference – Association of Research Managers & Administrators. Organised by the Korea Institute of Human Resources Development in Science and Technology (KIRD), their primary focus was on understanding the research environment and funding systems in the UK and Europe.

The delegation was warmly welcomed by Professor Jeremy Kent Hall, Director of SPRU, who delivered an insightful talk on the academic trends and challenges in the UK. Following this, Dr Youngha Chang, Lecturer in Innovation Management, provided a tailored introduction to SPRU and the Business School.

Dr Chang highlighted the growing interest in the Business School and SPRU in Korea, stating:

“It is strategically important for our School and University to build a strong relationship with Korea. Many of our alumni have joined or continued their careers in science, technology, and innovation-related fields after finishing their studies at SPRU.

“Over the years, our alumni network in Korea has come to play a vital role in these areas, and an increasing number of people are keen to learn more about, and from, our organisation. Last year, for instance, five government-funded students, who are senior officers in the Korean government, joined SPRU to study our Science and Technology Policy MSc and Energy and Climate Policy MSc. We are expecting to have more students this autumn.”

Highlights of SPRU’s Alumni in Korea

SPRU’s influence in Korea is evident through the achievements of its alumni. Earlier this year, Professor Sangook Park from Seoul National University (SNU) was appointed as the Science and Technology Advisor to the President of Korea, becoming the first advisor in this newly established position. Additionally, the Korean government recently founded the Korea Aerospace Administration (KASA), and Dr Chin Young Hwang, a SPRU alumnus and the chief researcher of the Space Policy Team at the Korea Aerospace Research Institute, has been appointed as the representative of the National Space Council.

Delegation Members

The delegation included representatives from the following organisations:

1. Agency for Defence Development (ADD)
2. Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI)
3. Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI)
4. Korea Basic Science Institute (KBSI)
5. Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute (KERI)
6. Korea Food Research Institute (KFRI)
7. Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM)
8. Korea Institute of Human Resources Development in Science and Technology (KIRD)
9. Korea Institute of Machinery & Materials (KIMM)
10. Korea Institute of Materials Science (KIMS)
11. Korea Institute of Nuclear Nonproliferation and Control (KINAC)
12. Korea Institute of Ocean Science & Technology (KIOST)
13. National Research Council of Science & Technology (NIST)
14. National Security Research Institute (NST)

This visit marks a significant step in strengthening the relationship between our Business School and Korean research institutions, paving the way for future collaborations and exchanges.