Korean Academy of Science and Technology

The Korean Academy of Science and Technology (KAST) is South Korea's highest academy of science and serves as an integrated think-tank for the country's science and technology. It contributes to national development by promoting science and technology through active participation of its member scientists and engineers who have demonstrated professional excellence domestically and internationally in their respective fields.

Korean Academy of Science and Technology
Agency overview
FormedJune 7, 1995
HeadquartersSeongnam, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
Websitewww.kast.or.kr
Korean Academy of Science and Technology
Hangul
Hanja
Revised RomanizationHan-guk Gwahak Gisul Hallimwon
McCune–ReischauerHan'guk Kwahak Kisul Hallimwon

KAST will contribute to the globalization of science and technology by playing the role of the principal contact point for international cooperation and information exchanges, through bilateral and/or multilateral academic exchange programs with foreign academies, public semi-scientific lectures and "Science Hall of Fame" program, cooperation with international scientific and technological organizations, and friendly relations and exchanges with overseas scholars.

KAST was founded in 1994 to play a strong role in helping South Korea climb the technology ladder.[1][2] KAST has also served to encourage cooperation between scientists in South and North Korea in the science and technology sector.[3] The non-profit institute has also strengthened global cooperation by operating the secretariat for the 17-member Association of Academies of Science in Asia (AASA) since 2000.[4][5]

International standing

KAST is an internationally recognized academy of science. KAST has 34 Nobel Laureates amongst its foreign members including Steven Chu, who is a co-winner of Nobel Prize in Physics in 1997 and head of the U.S. Department of Energy during the Barack Obama administration, Robert B. Laughlin, head of the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology and Jerome I. Friedman, who earned the 1990 Nobel Prize in Physics.[6][7][8]

Awards

KAST and DuPont Korea cooperate in awarding the DuPont Science Award. The award recognizes South Korean scientists' contribution to scientific studies and advancement in the country and serves to encourage further excellence.[9] Since 1997, KAST also presents the annual Young Scientist Award to four individuals in research fields. Many of the winners are employed at SKY, KAIST, or POSTECH at the time of the award and later frequently work for KAIST or the Institute for Basic Science.[10]

Leadership

Chung Kun-mo, former a department head at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), took the helm of the Korean Academy of Science and Technology (KAST) in February 2004 at the state-sponsored institutes headquarters in Bundang, Gyeonggi-do. Under his leadership Korea strives to open the door to third generation technology by taking the initiative in the global high-tech fields, and promoting cutting-edge technologies.[3][4][5]

References
  1. "High-Tech Think Tank Celebrates 10th Anniversary", Korea Times, November 17, 2004
  2. "KAST Chief to Globalize Korean Science", Korea Times, April 29, 2004
  3. "KAST pushes for S-N technology cooperation", The Korea Herald, April 27, 1999
  4. "KAST Chief to Globalize Korean Science", Korea Times, April 29, 2004
  5. "Top Scientists Converge to Observe KAST Anniversary", Korea Times, November 19, 2004
  6. "Academy Initiates Science Hall of Fame Project", Korea Times, April 29, 2004
  7. "Prof. Atta appointed as foreign member of Korean academy of Science and Technology", The Pakistan Newswire, December 9, 2004
  8. "High-Tech Think Tank Celebrates 10th Anniversary", Korea Times, November 17, 2004
  9. "DuPont Korea announces '2nd Science & Technology Award", The Korea Herald, November 19, 2002
  10. "과학계 신인상 받은 '젊은과학자상 수상자들'…20년 만에 주역으로 우뚝". Korean Academy of Science and Technology (in Korean). 10 August 2016. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
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