President and CEO Cho Hwan-Eik of Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) paid a visit to GIST on April 7 and discussed ways to promote exchange and cooperation between the two institutions, including joint R&D projects and human resources development. In December last year, the headquarters of KEPCO moved into Bitgaram Innovation City located approximately 30 kilometers south of GIST.

GIST President Moon Seunghyeon and KEPCO President Cho Hwan-Eik agreed to work towards building a broad strategic partnership. GIST has a special competence in smart energy R&D that is applicable to KEPCO’s plan to develop the so-called “Energy Valley.” Representatives of the two institutions exchanged ideas about joint R&D projects, specialized education and training programs, and concerted cooperation with Gwangju City and other local governments.

President Cho also visited Research Institute for Solar and Sustainable Energies (RISE) and toured the laboratory of Professor Kwanghee Lee, a leading researcher in plastic electronics. He then called Gwangju Creative Economy Innovation Center, which opened in January on the campus of GIST to spur the commercialization of fuel-cell vehicles.

President Moon Seunghyeon of GIST said, “We have high expectations for working with KEPCO, which has come to nearby Bitgaram Innovation City. We will do our best to make sure our partnership contributes to the development of the region.”