First Seed Joint Project Also Launched as Agreement Signed to Promote Scientific Exchange between UAE and Korea
Khalifa University and Korea Basic Science Institute (KBSI), a government-funded research institute focused on research relevant to pure basic science, today jointly announced the launch of the Korea-UAE Joint R&D Technical Center (KUTC) to promote scientific exchange between the two countries.
The launch ceremony was attended by Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, Executive Vice-President, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, and Dr. Hyung-Shik Shin, President, KBSI, at the Main Campus in Abu Dhabi. Yeonjin Kim, Director, Europe & Africa Cooperation Division, Korea Ministry of Science and ICT, Eng. Mariam Abdulrahman Musallam, Innovation Committee, Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, representatives from the Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), officials and faculty members were also present.
The launch also included the kick-off of KUTC’s first seed joint project titled “Development of solid electrolytes for harsh environment batteries”. The project will be led by Dr. Daniel Choi, Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering, Khalifa University, and Dr. Hae Jin Kim, Principal Researcher, KBSI. A one-day ‘Joint Workshop 2019: Advanced Materials’ was organized to mark the occasion during which several researchers from both institutions presented papers.
The KUTC, also supported by the Korea Ministry of Science and ICT, will initially cover areas including advanced materials especially in energy, oil/gas, and catalysts, as well as characterization of semiconductor materials and devices, in addition to materials for bio-medical and energy applications. Research activities at KUTC will be led by a steering committee that includes Dr. Steve Griffiths, Senior Vice-President, Research and Development, Khalifa University, Dr. Jeremie Pelletier, Manager, KUTC, Dr. Shin, and Dr. Hae Jin Kim, Director, KUTC.
Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi said: “We are delighted to partner with the Korean Government and other institutions to launch the joint R&D technical center to promote new technologies in various fields including advanced materials, biotechnology and oil and gas. The KUTC is a testimony to the scientific cooperation between not only Khalifa University and other Korean institutions but also the two countries to advance innovation in new areas. We believe the synergy resulting from this association will significantly benefit the relevant industries, regionally and globally.”
Dr. Hyung-Shik Shin said: “The KUTC is launched based on the both countries’ willingness to expand scientific exchanges that have focused on the nuclear energy sector into various fields of science and technology. I hope that the center will be an innovative R&D hub driving both nations not only to the scientific innovations but also to the economic growth.”
The KUTC will generate and transfer knowledge in order to create innovation that improves the competitiveness of R&D and to supply efficient and reliable research environment for joint R&D to researchers from both countries. Both institutions will continue and strengthen successful partnerships, developing the KUTC into a representative R&D hub for innovative technologies.
In addition, both institutions will operate a laboratory in the UAE for KBSI, in which Khalifa University researchers will undertake joint research, while working together to facilitate visits by KBSI experts.
Apart from the Korea Ministry of Science and ICT, the Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), a national lab in Korea, will be participating in KUTC activities in biotechnology. The KRICT is already looking into developing a collaborative research program with the UAE Department of Health under KUTC.
Marking the occasion, a workshop and a steering committee meeting were also organized on campus. The guests at the launch event were welcomed by Dr. Arif Al Hammadi, with congratulatory messages from Dr. Hyung‐Shik Shin, President of KBSI, which was followed by the signing of the agreement. Others who spoke at the event included Eng. Mariam Abdulrahman Musallam, Innovation Committee, Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, and Ms. Yeonjin Kim, Director, Europe & Africa Cooperation Division, Korea Ministry of Science and ICT.
Clarence Michael
News Writer
26 November 2019
