The Global Industry-Academia Cooperation Programme, funded by the Ministry of Knowledge and Economics (MKE), will see Strathclyde academics working with technology companies in South Korea, providing leading-edge research and creating business opportunities in areas including health, electrics and electronics, and new materials.
Representatives of the Ministry and the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology (KIAT) – an institute under MKE - will visit the University tomorrow (Friday 25 May) to meet with some of the leading academics who have teamed up with Korean firms.
The news follows the establishment of the Georgia Institute of Technology as Korea’s sole university partner in the USA in 2010.
Professor Jim McDonald, Principal of the University of Strathclyde, said: “This partnership is fantastic news for Strathclyde and to be chosen ahead of many other top European institutions is an indication of our growing reputation as a leading, international technological university.
“Working with industry, sharing knowledge and engaging with the wider international community are defining characteristics of the University of Strathclyde, and this agreement provides a platform to ensure our leading research is well-utilised throughout the world.”
The Korean Government’s Global Industry-Academia Cooperation Programme will provide funding each year to support the development of research expertise between the University and Korean small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Chang-ha Lim, Senior Researcher at KIAT, said: “KIAT is very pleased that the University of Strathclyde has been selected as our European partner in the Ministry of Knowledge and Economics’ Global Industry-Academia Cooperation Programme.
“Along with the Georgia Institute of Technology, our partner in the USA, the University of Strathclyde will be able to work with Korean SMEs and to obtain funding for the cooperation programme.”
The University of Strathclyde was selected in a competitive process from a shortlist of six higher education institutions across Europe and received support from Scottish Development International (SDI) to secure the contract.
Anne MacColl, Chief Executive of SDI, said: “This partnership very much endorses Scotland as an academic and industry partner of choice.
“This is especially true given that the endorsement is from the Korean government that chose a Scottish university over any other in Europe in its search for an institution with a strong track record of success in commercial innovation and industry-driven research capability.
"We know that research and commercialisation are key drivers of growth and by collaborating with other countries we can further enhance our reputation on the global stage as a knowledge-led economy. This is about delivering long term, sustainable partnerships and economic success for Scotland.”
As part of the agreement reached between Strathclyde and the Korean Government, funding will support both feasibility study projects and full scale research and development projects in a range of technology areas including industrial materials, clean manufacturing, transportation and logistics, bio and medical devices, knowledge services and service networks, robotics, software and computing, electronics and information devices, industrial convergence and the next generation of mobile communication media.
Dr David McBeth, Director of the University’s Research and Knowledge Exchange Services, added: “To be named as the sole European partner university by the Korean Government provides a unique opportunity to build on the existing links of our academic staff to Korean companies and enhance the impact of Strathclyde’s research internationally. I am hopeful that, in due course, the programme will open up opportunities for economic activity for Scottish companies as the collaboration matures.”
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Further information:
Kat Hannah
Media and Corporate Communications
University of Strathclyde
T: +44 (0)141 548 4123 / 2924
The University of Strathclyde is a charitable body, registered in Scotland, number SC015263
