"When we established the Europe research center 30 years ago, the key goal was to follow and learn from Europe's cutting-edge basic research. Now the environment has changed. We need to focus on research needed by the European Union (EU) and on serving as a platform for international cooperation."
O Sang-rok, president of the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), held a press briefing at the KIST Europe Research Center in Saarbrücken, Germany, on the 15th (local time) and said of the KIST Europe Research Center, which marks its 30th anniversary, "Now is the time to consider how we will move forward over the next 30 years."
He outlined a plan to shift from the previous approach of supporting individual researchers' projects to specializing in research on standardization and regulation, where Europe has strengths, while expanding the center's role as a technology base that supports domestic deep-tech corporations in entering the European market.
O said, "In the past, when Korean corporations entered Europe, support focused on administrative or legal consulting, but now, as the number of deep-tech startups grows, demand for on-site technical support is increasing," adding, "We will help entry into global markets through technical support."
In particular, after Korea joined last year as an associate member of Horizon Europe, the world's largest multilateral innovation research program, the function of serving as a platform for connecting European joint research became a breakthrough for KIST Europe's identity.
O explained, "Based on the local network built over 30 years, conducting research coordination with expertise is what sets KIST Europe apart," adding, "Rather than networking once or twice a year, we will closely support the process in which new research projects are planned, centered on Brussels, and play the role of connecting with domestic research institutes."
Kim Jin-sang, head of the KIST Europe Research Center, also said, "In Europe, Korea's standing has risen to the point that people say consortia or large projects must include Korea," adding, "In fields where Korea has strengths, especially shipbuilding, European counterparts often request participation by Korean corporations or research institutes."
He said, "Since joining Horizon Europe, interest at domestic universities and government-funded institutes has risen significantly," adding, "Through the Bridge Center, we analyze EU calls for proposals, connect with domestic research institutes, and are expanding our role as a gateway for all of Korea to enter Horizon Europe."
O emphasized that the purpose of participating in Horizon Europe lies more in learning research culture and paradigms than in securing research funding. He said, "It is misguided to think we participate in Horizon Europe to win funding," adding, "The experience of setting objectives, dividing roles, and planning research that no one has tried before in the process of creating projects is what truly matters."
He continued, "Even after selection, project managers very closely share and coordinate research progress," adding, "This experience greatly helps shift from fast-follower research to first-mover research."
Over the past decade or so, the KIST Europe Research Center effectively faced a budget freeze, and during the government's research and development (R&D) budget cuts, it experienced about a 30% reduction, making operations difficult.
O said, "It is regrettable that the budget has not increased, but there are always reasons for budgets," adding, "Marking the 30th anniversary, if we realign our roles and show change, the budget will naturally follow, and I expect it to increase next year."
Along with Europe, KIST has presented an international cooperation model for government-funded institutes by expanding its foothold to Boston in the United States in recent years, in addition to the Vietnam-Korea Institute of Science and Technology (VKIST) and the Korea-India Research Center (IKST).
O emphasized that international cooperation should shift from one-sided support to a model based on mutual need. He said, "International cooperation lasts when, if I need something, the other side needs me as well," adding, "Cooperation pushed unilaterally, as in the past, easily disappears when administrations or policies change."
He added, "Based on the main institute's research capabilities, we need to build relationships in which we divide roles and conduct joint research with Europe's top research institutes," emphasizing, "For technology commercialization, we should not remain in the domestic market but target the global market."
He said, "In Boston, we will first focus on bio fields to connect promising domestic technologies with local researchers, corporations, and global pharmaceutical companies," adding, "We will directly gauge market reactions locally and pursue technology commercialization aligned with global market standards, boldly changing course for technologies with low potential."