New Year’s Message from the President

Dear members of UNIST family,

A bright and promising New Year 2021 has begun! As we enter the New Year, I would like to extend to you and your family my warmest greetings and best wishes for a year full of happiness and prosperity.

2020 has been a tough year for everyone due to the outbreak of COVID-19. The coronavirus pandemic has brought the entire world to a standstill, and in doing so, countless people have suffered, and a desperate crisis is still with us.

Despite these challenges, there are still many reasons to be thankful. There has been a series of scientific advances that offer hope against COVID-19, including the development of rapid COVID-19 tests, digital innovation that connects the unconnected, and the recent approval of COVID-19 vaccines.

Like this, the hope of brightening the future and changing the world stems from science and technology. And it is you who could accomplish this.

Distinguished members of UNIST family,

Throughout last year, UNIST has built a solid foundation to leap forward as a “Leading Innovator,” delivering hope for a brighter future to the lives of regions, countries, and humanity, beyond the confines of “Fast Follower.”

The first step was to decentralize the system of educational affairs. In addition, we have reorganized the undergraduate curriculum to diversify the basic education courses required for future technologies and to provide students with more hands-on experience.

One major accomplishment in research fields was to lay the foundation for research relating to the “Digital New Deal,” which ensures the nations and regions in the country ultimately lead in the industries of the future. Last year, the Graduate School of Artificial Intelligence opened its door. Not only that, we have paved the ground for a greater leap forward by attracting businesses that will lead digital innovation, such as the AI Innovation Park, the Graduate School of Semiconductor Materials and Devices Engineering, and Smart Healthcare Research Center.

These achievements would not have been possible without the efforts and passion of UNIST members who accept the challenge of “First In Change” without fear. I thank all of our members who have actively cooperated over the past year.

Dear UNIST members,

In 2021, UNIST will not let up the reins of change to become a “Leading Innovator.” The world around us is changing faster than ever before. In this rapidly changing society, there has been a growing voice of demands for universities that excel at “things that must be done,” rather than simply “doing well.”

Now it is the time for UNIST to act. In respond to this demand, UNIST will present a blueprint that will help reduce uncertainty, and will thus nurture the 'BTS of Science and Technology' who will deliver a message of hope to the world.

In the year 2021, UNIST intends to take a step closer to such future through five key initiatives.

First, we will accelerate the promotion of new business development for both regional and national advancement. In particular, we will focus on the businesses of “Green New Deal,” beyond facilitating convergence research in the areas of AI, semiconductors, and healthcare, which we secured last year. Furthermore, we will strive to attract "Carbon Neutral Institute" and "Carbon Neutral Demonstration Research Center" by consolidating our research capabilities for eco-friendly future.

Second, we will advance the education system to nurture “BTS in science and technology.” In doing so, our plan is to encourage students to form study groups, in conjunction with 'One-day Lecture Series.' Through this, students can take expert lectures on the latest research topics they are interested in, form study groups to participate in various challenges, and even challenge themselves to start a startup.

Third, we will put tremendous effort into providing the facilities that support practical education. In this regard, we plan to promote the establishment of the “Challenge Convergence Center,” where anyone with creative minds can unfold their dreams and challenge problem solving. This space will serve as a base for practical education, as well as for the cultivation of talented individuals who will change the world through science and technology.

Fourth, we will prepare a plan for internationalization to become a genuine global university. In order to become a world-class university, we need to focus more on internationalization. To this end, I will run the “Distinguished International Visiting Scholar Program” to invite prominent scholars from overseas, and will strengthen support for facilitating international exchange of students and professors.

Lastly, we will promote policies for the growth and development of faculty and staff members who will lead change and innovation. In doing so, we will seek ways to enhance faculty autonomy by reducing the burden of lectures, and will run a “UNIST Chair Professor Program” for faculty with outstanding capabilities. We will also present the career path for staff members to enhance their expertise and boost their drive to work. And in this part, I will continue to do my best to increase employee motivation and productivity.

Dear members of UNIST family,

In the year 2021, UNIST will take a step toward the future with honesty. The seeds of hope will be sown with every step we take, and our future will brighten as the seeds bloom brightly. I would like to request your cooperation and support in helping UNIST move beyond the current status into a leading university where science and technology advances for the betterment of the world.

I wish everyone a happy and prosperous new year.

Thank you.