KIRD Held HRD Global Forum at EKC 2022

KIRD participated in the EKC (Europe-Korea Conference on S&T) 2022 in Marseille, France, between November 19 and 22, and held the “2022 KIRD Science Technology HRD Global Forum” with a theme of “Establishing Career Development Plan for the Young S&T Leaders.”

The Europe-Korea Conference on Science and Technology (EKC) is the premier annual conference for Korean and European scientists and engineers and has been held since 2008. With a theme of “Pathways to Sustainability: The Role of Emerging Technologies,” the conference was held in person for the first time in three years and attended by approximately 700 European and Korean scientists and engineers, as well as government officials.

With an invitation from ASCOF (Association des Scientifiques Coreens en France), the 2022 KIRD Science Technology HRD Global Forum was held as a special session, with emphasis given to the importance of talents in science and technology and advanced countries’ talent development strategies. In the introduction session, KIRD introduced its mission, role, major programs, achievements, career development program and system for scientists and engineers, career development training for graduates and postdocs, personal/group mentoring, and its R&D capability enhancement program.

In addition, KIRD invited Professor Minn Il from the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and Professor Simone Vannuccini from the University of Sussex as guest speakers to share European countries’ strategies for nurturing talent in science and technology, employment and entrepreneurship status, and career development strategies for the next generation. During the panel discussion, Joo-yeon Lee, the director of Ajou University’s New Industrial Convergence Technology Research and Development Center, discussed Korea’s talent cultivation status in science and technology policy.

During the EKC, Kuichan Park, the president of KIRD, attended the President’s Forum to share KIRD’s focus areas and achievements in nurturing scientists and engineers. The employees of KIRD introduced the organization’s major programs, such as training programs and career development services, in its booth. Moreover, through the interaction among Korean scientists and engineers based in European countries, KIRD not only shared and exchanged information to boost global cooperation but also secured mentors and mentees for career development programs.

KIRD hopes that its participation in EKC will pave the way for invigorating international cooperation and interaction with Korean scientists and engineers in Europe.