The Ministry of Science and ICT will hold a "research field (Honam region) roundtable for research and development innovation" at Chonnam National University on the 27th. The event is a venue to hear on-site opinions from researchers to prepare the government's "research and development (R&D) ecosystem innovation plan."
About 70 people, including Presidential Chief of Staff for Policy Kim Yong-beom and Science and Technology Innovation Office Director Park In-gyu at the Ministry of Science and ICT, as well as key researchers and research administration personnel in the Honam region, will attend the roundtable.
The government has set as a key goal creating an environment where researchers can take on creative studies without fear of failure. To that end, it has collected on-site feedback through an online platform called "R&D for All," a private advisory group, and regional roundtables.
This roundtable is the fifth this year and the last on the schedule. Previously, through topic- and region-specific on-site roundtables, the government discussed various improvements, including reforming evaluation systems, streamlining administration, and providing predictable research funding.
After a presentation on the main policy direction, participants are scheduled to discuss problems they face in actual research settings and ways to improve systems. In particular, ▲ innovation in evaluation systems that support challenge-driven research, ▲ reduction of administrative burdens, and ▲ a demand-oriented R&D investment structure are cited as key agenda items.
Science and Technology Innovation Office Director Park In-gyu said, "In an era of technological hegemony competition led by AI and advanced technologies, creativity and a spirit of challenge are the core of R&D competitiveness," adding, "We will shift from a government-led approach to a researcher-led, autonomous, and sustainable ecosystem."
The Ministry of Science and ICT plans to compile the opinions from this roundtable and officially announce the "research and development ecosystem innovation plan" in Nov.