Promotion of Basic Science and Development of High-Quality Manpower

Promotion of Basic Scientific Research

Several ministries are involved in supporting university research. The Academic Promotion Foundation of the Ministry of Education and the Korea Science and Engineering Foundation of the Ministry of Science & Technology (MOST) are the major funding agencies for basic scientific research.

However, the investment in university R & D is still very small in scale, and universities are not properly equipped with facilities and equipment for research.

To improve this situation, the government is working on a mid-term comprehensive plan for the promotion of basic scientific research. The main goals of this plan include the building-up of creative research capabilities and securing bases for technology innovation. To this end, investment in basic scientific research at universities will be increased continuously to 10 percent of the total R&D investment by 1997, and to 12 percent by 2001.

(Table 4.1) Planned Investment in Basic Scientific Research at Universities

Unit: US $ Million

	'93	'94	'95	'96	'97	2001
Investment	581	812	1,073	1,414	1,843	4,490
Rate of Investment to Total RAD(%}	7.2	8.5	9.0	9.5	10.0	12.0

With the increase in investment, the government will expand its support for Science Research Centers (SRCs), Engineering Research Centers (ERCs) and Regional Research Centers(RRCs). Priorities will be given to those with relatively strong research capability.

(Table 4.2) Plan for the Expansion of University Research Centers

Unit: Number of Centers

	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998
SRCs ERCs RRCs	14 16 -	14 21 -	17 21 3	17 21 13	20 26 14	20 30 14
Total	30	35	41	51	60	64

Together with the above, in September, 1996, the government will create the "Korea Institute for Advanced Study" as a leading world-class institution for conducting basic scientific research, and as part of the establishment of this institute, the ministry will also establish the "Asia- Pacific Center for Theoretical Physics" in Seoul at the same time. The Korea Basic Science Institute and its four branches in Seoul, Pusan, Taegu, and Kwangju provide high-technology equipment such as plasma research equipment. To facilitate research in basic science, the government has provided support for the building of the [Hanbit] device at the plasma research facility at Taedok Science Town in June 1995 and the [Pohang Light Source] a synchrotron accelerator, at Pohang in Dec. 1994.

Development of High-Quality Manpower

Securing high level research capabilities is a prerequisite to meeting the growing demand for R&D. Of special importance in this regard is creative R&D manpower.

KAIST

The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) is a research-oriented science and engineering university established in 1971. Since 1971, KAIST has graduated 2,318 Ph. D.s, and 8,858 M. S.s.

KAIST was merged again with the Korea Institute of Technology (KIT) in July 1989. KIT was an undergraduate college established in 1985 for educating scientifically gifted students.

(Table 4.4) No. of Graduates from KAIST

Unit: Person

	'78-'89	'90	'91	'92	'93	'94	'95	Total
B.S. M.S. ph.D.	23 5,311 718	391 532 186	381 530 247	422 582 274	443 622 268	497 623 318	477 658 307	2,634 8,858 2,318
Total	6,052	1,109	1,158	1,278	1,333	1,438	1,442	13,810

The government has set as a new challenging goal for KAIST the task of enhancing its research and education capability to that of the world's top-ten level in the coming 21st century. The measures to be taken in this regard are:

a. Establish the "Korea Institute for Advanced Study" for basic scientific research. b. Establish the "School of Techno-Management Postgraduate," which will offer degree programs with an emphasis on technology management to produce experts who will lead R & D management in the era of globalization.

Kwangju Institute of S & T

The Kwangju Institute of Science and Technology opened in March 1995 with an enrollment of 113 students as a national center for scientific and technological excellence. This institute will integrate qualified graduate education and mission-oriented research. This integration will provide optimum efficiency for education and research by pooling resources for their mutual benefit. Two hundred, sixty students are currently enrolled in M.S. programs.

The institute will start recruiting Ph.D. students beginning in the 199' academic year. To give students comprehensive guidance and supervision from the faculty, the faculty-to-student ratio is maintained at 1:5. Access to facilities of affiliated industrial research centers that share the Science and Technology Parkwith the K-JIST will guarantee optimal research conditions.

(Table 4.5) Enrollment Plan of the Kwangju Institute of S&T

Unit: Person

	'95	'98
Department of Informational and Communication Engineering Department of Materials Science and Engineering Department of Mechatronics Engineering Department of Life Science Department of Environmental Science and Engineering	36 16 25 20 16	195 129 98 97 65
Total	113	584

Science High Schools

The Korean government puts an emphasis on science high school education for gifted students who have a strong interest in and enthusiasm for science and technology. Since the first establishment of the Kyung-Ki Science High School in 1983, fourteen high schools have been established, with a total of fifteen now in operation.

In - Company Technical Colleges

In-company technical colleges play an important role in educating employees who wish to continue technical education while working. The main objectives of the colleges are to enhance productivity through technical training and also to meet the increasing demand for technical manpower.

(Table 4.6) In - Company Technical Colleges('95)

	Number of Schools	Number of Students	Numerb of Graduates
Junior College Course College Course Graduate Course	9 12 12	641 1,159 790	1,116 4,539 913
Total	33	2,590	6,568

Other Sources of Manpower

Brain Pool Program

This Program is designed to strengthen the country's R & D capability, through inviting overseas distinguished scientists and engineers.

This Program offers colleges, research institutes and industries that want to invite scientists and engineers.

This Program offers colleges, research institutes and industries that want to invite scientists and engineers funds for travel expenses and living allowances ranging from six months to two years.

Unit: Person

	1994	1995	Total
Brain Poll	43	101	144

Overseas Study Program

The Korea Science and Engineering Foundation (KOSEF), having initiated its overseas study program in 1982, has supported 2,117 Korea scientists and engineers (Ph.Ds) for overseas study and/or research in industrial establishments, research institutes and universities during 1982 - 1995.

KOSEF is focusing its effort on diversifying and expanding the program.

(Table 4.8) Overseas Study Program

Unit: person

	'82-'89	'90	'91	'92	'93	'94	'95	Total
Post-Doc.	966	178	209	186	173	182	223	2,117

---

Please, send your comments and suggenstions to webadmin@mostws.most.go.kr