The Korean Federation of Science and Technology Societies (KAST) is working to transform the World Korean Science and Technology Conference into an official platform for shaping national science and technology policy, moving beyond a mere academic event.
At a press conference on July 2 in Gangnam, Seoul, KAST President Kwon Oh-nam stated, "We will institutionalize the World Korean Science and Technology Conference as a pathway to connect with South Korea's science and technology policies, rather than treating it as a one-time event. We will submit a proposal for government policy to the Ministry of Science and ICT and strive for its inclusion."
KAST plans to establish a system that connects discussions from the conference to policy proposals. Instead of merely recording presentations and discussions, they will create policy issue papers that incorporate audience questions and expert opinions to be submitted to the Ministry of Science and ICT.
Kwon noted, "Unlike typical conferences, each forum at the World Korean Science and Technology Conference will have a designated recorder. While most of these recorders are graduate students or professors, there has been a lack of channels for this documentation to inform policy. We will create issue templates that can propose policies based on the discussions and audience questions."
Additionally, KAST will utilize its regular publication, "Science and Technology," as a platform for policy proposals. Kwon explained, "We are considering how to ensure that the insights from this conference are not lost and can benefit the science and technology community through coverage and organization in 'Science and Technology.' Since the editorial board consists of experts in the field, we can refine policy proposals and issue papers from a public perspective."
Kwon also expressed disappointment over budget cuts related to the conference. The initial budget for the first event was approximately 2 billion won, but it has now been reduced to about 600 million won.
Currently, the conference is expected to feature around 40 to 50 overseas speakers and approximately 100 international participants. Kwon emphasized, "For the conference to establish itself as a hub for productive networking, it would be beneficial for scholars from 22 countries to attend. We aim to prepare well this year to increase next year's budget and solidify our position as a networking venue."
The World Korean Science and Technology Conference will take place from July 7 to 8 at the Korean Science and Technology Center in Gangnam, Seoul. This event serves as the largest platform for interaction among Korean scientists and engineers worldwide. Kwon noted, "We already have over 1,000 pre-registrants, which is a 20-30% increase compared to last year, despite the short preparation time."
This year's conference will focus on the theme, "Global AI Era: A New Paradigm for Science and Technology Cooperation." It aims to share the latest research trends among Korean scientists and engineers both domestically and internationally, while also identifying global collaboration agendas in light of AI's role in driving innovation across research, industry, and society.
On the first day, Professor Cha Mi-young, director of the Max Planck Institute for Security and Privacy in Germany, will deliver a keynote speech on "Data Science for the Benefit of Humanity."
The following talk concert will feature speakers including Seo Hye-won, a senior researcher at the French National Centre for Scientific Research; Jang Byeong-tak, a professor at Seoul National University; Kim Gi-hwan, the inaugural head of the Trap Ion Quantum Science Research Group at the Institute for Basic Science; and Bae Soon-min, a managing director at Samsung SDS, discussing the topic, "AI Transformation: Perspectives from Global Scholars on Science and Technology Agendas."
Public lectures will also be held. On the second day, Professors Jo Gyu-jin from Seoul National University, Ko Je-sung from Pohang University of Science and Technology, and Lee Dae-young from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology will explain how AI is being applied in real industries and everyday life through their research on wearable robots, biomimetic robots, and space robots, respectively.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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