GIST Signs an MoU to Establish a Research Center in Gwangyang

- GIST and Gwangyang aim to raise KRW 35Billion state funds and hire 45 research staff by 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) and the City of Gwangyang in Jeollanamdo Province, presented by President Young Joon Kim and Mayor Lee Sungwoong respectively, signed a memorandum of understanding for the establishment of the GIST Gwangyang Research Institute on Monday June 2 in Gwangyang City Hall.

 

Accordingly, GIST will establish the GIST Gwangyang Research Institute in a 16,000 - 26,000㎡ site in Gwangyang. The building will have a gross floor area of 10,000 - 12,000㎡ to accommodate 45 research staff. The institute will consist of laboratories in the fields of advanced materials, marine research, energy, and environment, lecture rooms and faculty offices for the Professional Science and Engineering Master (PSEM) Program, which is expected to foster 20 PSEMs annually.

 

By signing the MoU, GIST and the City of Gwangyang agreed on active cooperation for the efficient operation of the research institute, including administrative processes and support. Funds to build the center will be raised under mutual consent between the two parties, and the city will contribute part of the required budget.

 

The two will organize a promotion group and consult the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning regarding pre-processes including obtaining approval from the committee and securing budgets from the central government. Gwangyang has agreed to provide support to make sure the research institute can be established as scheduled by incorporating this issue in the city’s basic urban planning, investment and loan assessment, mid-term fiscal planning, and budgeting processes.

 

“This MoU will let us further contribute to the local community, which is one of the key missions of GIST as the world’s top six (QS University Rankings, citations per faculty) research university,” said the GIST president.