27.03.2014 Views

Korean-American Scientists and Engineers Association

Korean-American Scientists and Engineers Association

Korean-American Scientists and Engineers Association

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

Message from the Minister of Education, Science<br />

<strong>and</strong> Technology, Republic of Korea<br />

I would like to offer my congratulations to the <strong>Korean</strong> <strong>and</strong><br />

<strong>American</strong> science communities on the US-Korea Conference<br />

on Science, Technology <strong>and</strong> Entrepreneurship (UKC) 2008.<br />

Since its inception in 1971, the <strong>Korean</strong>-<strong>American</strong> <strong>Scientists</strong><br />

<strong>and</strong> <strong>Engineers</strong> <strong>Association</strong> (KSEA) has fostered cooperation<br />

between the United States <strong>and</strong> Korea through a variety of<br />

activities such as up-to-date information exchange of science <strong>and</strong><br />

technology <strong>and</strong> its current trend <strong>and</strong> exchange programs for scientists <strong>and</strong> researchers.<br />

In particular, it gives me further pleasure that UKC, organized by KSEA on an annual basis since<br />

1994, is being recognized as a truly international conference encompassing the two countries.<br />

UKC has made remarkable contributions to promoting cooperation between our two countries by<br />

providing opportunities for scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs, <strong>and</strong> other leaders from both<br />

countries to exchange their scientific achievements, establish professional networks, <strong>and</strong> provide<br />

practical policy ideas on improvement of R&D system in Korea.<br />

Throughout the human history, science <strong>and</strong> technology has not only led economic development<br />

but also provided the solutions to the issues of global concern including climate changes, food,<br />

energy <strong>and</strong> so forth. In addition, rationality <strong>and</strong> creativity that science <strong>and</strong> technology promotes in<br />

our society have been the source of both competitiveness <strong>and</strong> dignity of a nation.<br />

It is under such a conviction that the new <strong>Korean</strong> government created the Ministry of Education,<br />

Science <strong>and</strong> Technology (MEST) by combining the two former ministries, the Ministry of<br />

Education & Human Resources Development <strong>and</strong> the Ministry of Science & Technology. With a<br />

mission to develop Korea into an advanced society based on science <strong>and</strong> technology, MEST will<br />

utilize all the available means to promote creative talents <strong>and</strong> strengthen R&D capabilities.<br />

Especially, MEST plans to exp<strong>and</strong> international networks in science <strong>and</strong> technology through<br />

policies of encouraging international joint research projects <strong>and</strong> attracting prominent research<br />

centers <strong>and</strong> distinguished scholars abroad to Korea.<br />

At this moment international cooperation in science <strong>and</strong> technology become even more important<br />

for our future growth. I attach special significance to UKC 2008 as I have high expectation that<br />

UKC serves as a catalyst for bringing the cooperation between Korea <strong>and</strong> US in science <strong>and</strong><br />

technology to a higher level.<br />

I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to President Kang-Wook Lee of<br />

KSEA, President Ki-Jun Lee of the <strong>Korean</strong> Federation of Science <strong>and</strong> Technology Societies<br />

(KOFST), <strong>and</strong> their members <strong>and</strong> staff including the Korea-US Science Cooperation Center<br />

(KUSCO) for their time <strong>and</strong> efforts for the organization of this conference. Finally, I hope that<br />

UKC 2008 will be more successful than ever <strong>and</strong> bring out the best results for all participants.<br />

Doh-Yeon Kim, Ph.D.<br />

Minister of Education, Science <strong>and</strong> Technology<br />

Republic of Korea<br />

9

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!