Korea University and GIST Host Joint Symposium on Bio-Medical Convergence Research,

Strengthening Cooperation in AI-BASED Life Science Research

△ Commemorative photo from the Korea University-GIST joint symposium.

Korea University (President Kim Dong-One) and the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (President Lim Ki-chul) held the Joint Symposium for the Promotion of Bio-Medical Science Convergence and Joint Research on November 10 at the GIST Oryong Hall.

This symposium was held to strengthen cooperative networks between researchers from both schools and to seek directions for academic convergence and joint research. This event is significant in that it laid the foundation for continuous and practical research cooperation between the two universities.

The symposium was attended by key stakeholders and professors from both schools, including Korea University President Kim Dong-One, Executive Vice President for Research Yoon Seong-taek, Dean of Research Lee Heon-jeong, GIST President Lim Ki-chul, Vice President for Research Kim Yong-chul, Dean of Research Park Chan-ho, and Korea Industry University Research Institute (KIURI) Standing Advisor Park Seong-su.

△ Research presentation by Professor Kang Ji-seung, School of Health and Environmental Science at KU.

The participation of Professor Kang Ji-seung from the KU School of Health and Environmental Science, a graduate of GIST’s integrated bachelor-master degree program who this year became the youngest professor ever at Korea University, in the presentation made this an especially meaningful event that further deepened the relationship between the two schools.

The opening ceremony began with a welcoming speech by GIST President Lim Ki-chul and a congratulatory address by KU President Kim Dong-One, followed by briefings by the deans of research from both schools on the current status of research and strategic research directions at each school.

In the research presentation session, five KU researchers and four GIST researchers discussed in depth the possibilities of cooperation and ways to discover joint research projects in various research fields, including AI-based research, disease diagnosis and treatment technology, biopharmaceuticals and biotechnology, nanotechnology and platform technology, and data-based research and digital health.

KU President Kim Dong-One said, “The various ideas and cooperative measures discussed here today will lead to fruitful results that will contribute not only to the future of our two universities but also to Korea, and ultimately to humanity. I hope that this symposium will serve as an opportunity to establish regular exchanges and a researcher-centered cooperation system that will contribute to the advancement of science and technology in Korea.”

GIST President Lim Ki-chul said, “At today’s symposium, we will create a new research paradigm by combining the capabilities of the two universities, focusing on high-tech convergence fields, such as life sciences, medicine, and AI. It is also significant because it establishes a win-win cooperation system between a comprehensive university in the metropolitan area and a regional science and technology institute.”

Korea University and GIST signed a business agreement in 2020 to promote education and research in the field of AI and held their first symposium in 2021 on the theme of “Seeking Universities for Future Innovation.” The two schools plan to use this year’s symposium as an opportunity to strengthen their practical cooperation network and establish a sustainable cooperation system that will play a leading role in the field of AI-based bio-medical science convergence.