Baechung-sik, the president of KAIST, is set to transform the five major innovation strategies announced at his inauguration into actionable projects. The university will focus on comprehensive innovations in education, research, entrepreneurship, administration, campus development, and internationalization, all centered around artificial intelligence (AI).
On August 24, during a press conference in Gwanghwamun, Seoul, President Baechung-sik unveiled the five development strategies: Beyond AI, Beyond Laboratory, Beyond Barriers, Beyond Carbon, and Beyond KAIST.
"If the vision I presented at my inauguration was the direction for KAIST, now is the time to turn that vision into tangible changes that our members can feel," Baechung-sik said. "We will not just declare plans but will swiftly implement actionable tasks."
The first actionable task is a comprehensive AI transformation in education and research. KAIST plans to expand AI from being a specialized knowledge area to a common competency that all students and researchers should possess. To achieve this, the curriculum will be systematically redesigned based on the level of AI application and educational objectives, establishing an educational framework that connects the principles of AI with AI-X applications, grounded in the humanities, social sciences, arts, and basic sciences.
Baechung-sik emphasized, "In the age of AI, a solid foundation and unique human thinking are crucial. By adding AI capabilities on top of the basics, we will enable all students to proactively utilize AI in their respective fields and strengthen research on AI core technologies and convergence research to lead a comprehensive AI transformation in education and research."
Creating an ecosystem that connects research lab outcomes to industry and entrepreneurship is also a key focus. KAIST aims to enhance long-term basic research while expanding large-scale research projects and national strategic technology and future science research, consolidating research capabilities in future strategic areas such as quantum technology and climate and energy. The university plans to increase the establishment of joint research centers with industry and satellite research labs to foster collaborative research environments between academia and industry.
Startup education will begin upon admission. Freshmen will be exposed to KAIST's research outcomes and technology entrepreneurship cases, meeting alumni entrepreneurs, investors, and industry experts to experience the process of turning ideas into technology and startups.
Baechung-sik stated, "Research labs should not only create new knowledge but also serve as starting points for innovations that drive change in industry and society. We will create an ecosystem that connects basic research to joint research with companies and entrepreneurship, empowering students to link ideas and technology to social value through startup education from the moment they enroll."
To allow more time for education and research, administrative and institutional innovations will also be pursued. KAIST plans to establish a digital one-stop administrative system utilizing AI tools to automate repetitive administrative tasks, simplify complex procedures, and continuously identify and eliminate or improve unnecessary regulations. Employees actively participating in AI-based administrative innovations will receive incentives, and capacity-building programs will be expanded.
The direction for campus development has also been outlined. KAIST aims to strengthen its research capabilities in climate and energy while promoting the creation of a sustainable campus that considers energy efficiency, safety, and space utilization. The university will systematically analyze and manage energy use on campus using AI and energy technologies. Plans include improving pedestrian pathways and efficiently reallocating research and educational spaces, considering safety, convenience, and green space protection in a phased approach.
The internationalization strategy focuses on creating an environment where outstanding talents and research institutions from around the world gather at KAIST to educate and research together, going beyond simple overseas exchanges. KAIST aims to significantly increase the proportion of excellent international students and plans to connect global partnerships through dual degree programs, student exchanges, and practical educational and research collaborations.
KAIST intends to link these innovative projects to a long-term development strategy leading up to its 60th anniversary in 2031, rather than treating them as isolated initiatives. The university plans to specify its 100-year vision and 2031 goals while continuously reviewing and updating its long-term strategies.
Baechung-sik remarked, "Our goal is not to follow the world's top universities but to set new standards for universities. We will create new models in education, research, technology entrepreneurship, university operations, sustainable campuses, and global cooperation, spreading them throughout South Korea and the world."
He added, "By the time we celebrate our 60th anniversary in 2031, I will ensure that the plans announced today become real changes that students, faculty, and staff can genuinely feel. We will develop KAIST into a national innovation platform that shapes the future of science and technology in South Korea."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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