■The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) held a ceremony on the 9th to celebrate its 50th anniversary and announced on the 10th that it has officially begun construction on the 'KAIST 50th Anniversary Creative Learning Center Expansion Project.' The Creative Learning Center serves as the primary space for undergraduate and graduate students at KAIST to attend lectures, and through this expansion, it will evolve beyond a simple educational facility to become a 'donation landmark' that embodies KAIST's identity and future vision. This expansion project involves a total investment of 9 billion won and will have a total floor area of 3,222.92 square meters (approximately 974 pyeong), with five floors above ground, aiming to be completed by September 2026.
■The University of Science and Technology (UST) has launched the 'Introduction to Traditional Korean Medicine for Researchers' on K-MOOC to broaden understanding of traditional Korean medicine. The course, which is a collaborative effort led by Professor Choi Seon-mi and Professor Lee Sang-hoon from UST and the Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine (KIOM), presents fundamental theories of traditional Korean medicine through various case studies in an easily understandable manner. The course is available in both Korean and English and consists of a 9-week program. Participants will receive a completion certificate from K-MOOC. More information can be found on the K-MOOC website (www.kmooc.kr).
■Quantum computing corporation Norma has signed a tripartite memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Gangdong Kyung Hee University Hospital and Rigetti Computing for drug development utilizing quantum technology. The three institutions will jointly pursue the project 'Discovery of Next-Generation Multi-Adaptive K-Innovation Drug Candidates Based on Quantum Hybrid Technology' as part of the Korean ARPA-H national project in 2025. Gangdong Kyung Hee University Hospital will manage the overall project and oversee medical aspects such as clinical trials. Norma will be responsible for designing and executing quantum algorithms. Rigetti is expected to support Norma with an 84-qubit quantum computer.
■The Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT) shared the master plan for the 'Uzbek National Chemical Industry Development Project (UzCCT)' for establishing a chemical research institute and held a local public hearing on the 9th (local time) to strengthen scientific and technological cooperation with Uzbekistan. The Uzbek government officially requested the establishment of a chemical research institute, modeled after Korea's grant-funded research institutions, to develop its domestic chemical industry. Consequently, the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) will collaborate on this project. The Uzbek Chemical Institute aims to be completed by 2026, and after completion, it will employ approximately 130 staff, including 104 researchers.