Professor Joon Ha Kim strives to nurture environmental leaders through training offered by International Environmental Research Institute

□ The director of the International Environmental Research Institute at the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST, President Seung Hyeon Moon), Professor Joon Ha Kim of the School of Earth Science and Environmental Engineering, held a completion ceremony for participants  of the Environmental Statistics and Data Analysis Expert Education (E-DAP) training program, which was launched in July, 2014, by the International Environmental Research Institute for environmental workers, such as university students, public officials, and business people. It is an educational program that is held on a first-come, first-served basis. About 200 students have participated, including 60 students who completed their fourth session this year, which has been held on every Monday since July 3rd.

□ Based on theoretical education through textbooks, students learned how to use computers to interpret and predict the data obtained through environmental engineering experiments and field research.

∘ Dr. Jung Kim of the Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology participated in the program and said, "I thought I knew the basics about statistics, but I realized through this class that I did not even know basic concept. This was a good education because I could easily understand complex statistical concepts from analysis to ANOVA to regression analysis. It was useful and understandable, and it seems helpful to draw new analysis results by combining the statistical knowledge that we have learned here with the research data that is currently in progress."

∘ Another participant Mr. Dong-seok Lim of Hanwha E & C said, "I had no idea how to utilize the large amount of data obtained from the construction research institute. I was able to easily follow as a beginner through the lesson given by the professor who combined the lecture and the practical experience. So I was able to overcome my fear of environmental statistics and data analysis to some extent, and I would really recommend this program to those who want to learn more."

□ Professor Joon Ha Kim said, " The environmental sector in the era of the 4th Industrial Revolution requires environmental engineering experts with practical research skills who are also familiar with big data and computers. I hope that GIST will contribute to fostering the next generation of environmental leaders with the ability to deal with environmental data obtained from the field and go from the basics to applications."

□ Environmental Statistics and Data Analysis Expert Training (E-DAP) is sponsored by the International Environmental Research Institute and has been providing the four-week training course every year since 2014, and the fifth course will be held next year in July.