The University of Science and Technology (UST) appointed Lee Jung-ki, a distinguished professor emeritus from the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), and Oh Hee-mok, a distinguished professor emeritus from the Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), as its first endowed professors on the 2nd.
UST plans to hire outstanding educators and researchers among its current and former faculty who have achieved notable educational and research accomplishments or have produced excellent results in the field of science and technology as endowed professors starting from the second semester of this year.
Endowed professors will be responsible for advising on curriculum improvements for the university and schools, operating faculty and student support programs, and assisting international students.
Endowed professor Lee Jung-ki has worked as a researcher in energy semiconductors and materials processing at KIST for approximately 39 years from 1984 to 2023. He published 228 international academic papers (SCI level), including articles in the top 5% of journals according to the Journal Citation Reports (JCR), and achieved 84 domestic and international patent registrations and 7 technology transfers.
For about 16 years from 2007 to 2023, he served as a professor at the UST-KIST School, nurturing students and producing 5 doctoral and 4 master's graduates. Graduates have excelled as professors and researchers in places such as the University of Semarang, Indonesia, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia, and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in the United States.
Endowed professor Oh Hee-mok has led research in environmental and microalgae studies at the Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB) for over 30 years, publishing over 370 papers during his tenure.
From 2006 until his retirement in 2023, he worked as an educator at the UST-Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB) School, training 4 doctoral and 5 master's degree science and technology experts. Graduates are active as professionals in the field of environmental biotechnology at bio ventures, national universities, public research institutes, and corporations.
UST President Kang Dae-im noted, "We appointed the two educators as UST's first endowed professors for their outstanding research achievements and contributions to mentoring students," adding that "the capabilities and experiences of excellent faculty will contribute to UST's educational innovation and development."
UST is the only national research university in Korea that nurtures science and technology talent by utilizing 32 government-funded research institutes in the field of science and technology as schools.