▲ (From left) Attila Brungs, UNSW Vice-Chancellor and President; Anoulack Chanthivong, NSW Minister for Industry and Trade; Kim Tae-heum, Chungcheongnam-do Governor; Kim Kyung-soo, KAIST Vice President for External Relations. Chungcheongnam-do Governor Kim Tae-heum signed an 'Academic and Business Exchange Memorandum of Understanding' on the 30th at the UNSW Chancellor's Office in Sydney, Australia, with Kim Kyung-soo, KAIST Vice President for External Relations, Anoulack Chanthivong, NSW Minister for Industry and Trade, and Attila Brungs, UNSW Vice-Chancellor and President.
The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), which is pursuing various cooperative projects with Chungcheongnam-do including the establishment and operation of a Mobility Research Institute in Naepo New City, will pursue exchange and cooperation in advanced industrial fields with the University of New South Wales (UNSW), Australia's top engineering university.
The province and New South Wales (NSW), the region where UNSW is located, 'confirmed' the exchange and cooperation between the two universities and expressed their support.
Governor Kim Tae-heum, who is visiting Australia to explore overseas markets, signed an 'Academic and Business Exchange Memorandum of Understanding' on the 30th at the UNSW Chancellor's Office in Sydney with Kim Kyung-soo, KAIST Vice President for External Relations, Anoulack Chanthivong, NSW Minister for Industry and Trade, and Attila Brungs, UNSW Vice-Chancellor and President.
According to the agreement, KAIST and UNSW will promote mutual cooperation in academic research and business exchange under the confirmation of the province and NSW.
Specifically, the two universities will collaborate on startup exchange programs and support to enhance academic excellence and promote practical innovation through entrepreneurship.
They also agreed to cooperate on △promoting industry-academia cooperation and joint research and development focused on mobility and biotechnology △operating joint programs for the advancement of education and lifelong learning △and promoting joint policy forums and initiatives.
Through this agreement, the province expects it to contribute to startup exchange programs between Chungnam and Australia, international joint research, and carbon neutrality cooperation.
At the signing ceremony, Governor Kim Tae-heum introduced Chungnam using three keywords: △Chungnam, a great place for business △Chungnam, full of innovation △Chungnam, the pioneer.
Governor Kim stated, "Chungnam, a great place for business, ranks 'top' in Korea across various economic indicators, including Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) and exports. Based on its robust industrial foundation in displays, semiconductors, petrochemicals, and mobility, it is also fostering science and technology and industries with a vision for the next 100 years."
He also revealed, "Chungnam has declared itself a Carbon Neutral Economy Special Zone and is approaching carbon neutrality from an economic growth perspective, pursuing various policies such as expanding renewable energy and converting coal-fired power plants to hydrogen generation."
Governor Kim then emphasized, "As the Asia-Pacific regional chairperson of the Under2 Coalition, I am cooperating with local governments worldwide, and I have also discussed carbon neutrality cooperation with South Australia. I hope that this cooperation between KAIST and UNSW will serve as a catalyst for expanding collaboration in various fields at the local government level between our two nations."
Governor Kim further added, "Today, Chungnam and NSW are guaranteeing this agreement between the two universities. I hope that this guarantee will lead to close cooperation between the two universities and develop into a strong collaborative relationship between Chungnam and NSW."
Minister Anoulack Chanthivong, after referencing his recent visit to Korea, said, "In a world full of uncertainty, reliable partners are more valuable than ever. I believe extensive cooperation with Korea, a country advanced in technology and education, is important, and I hope that Australia and Korea will develop with mutual respect."
Governor Kim, Minister Anoulack Chanthivong, and others held a separate meeting after the MOU to discuss exchanges and cooperation between the two universities and regions.
At this meeting, Governor Kim re-emphasized, "We will guarantee and support the agreement between KAIST and UNSW. We will actively help if there are any administrative or financial matters requiring assistance." He added, "Chungnam Province is pursuing the development of the Bay Valley Mega City in the Asan Bay area, similar to Silicon Valley in the U.S., which makes the agreement between the two universities highly significant."
Minister Anoulack Chanthivong stated, "We expect to achieve mutual benefits by cooperating based on this MOU," and added, "I believe the prospects for cooperation between governments are also bright."
Minister Anoulack Chanthivong further said, "If KAIST and UNSW actively engage in exchange, global problems and difficulties can also be overcome. I hope that the cooperation between NSW and Chungnam Province will leave a good path for prosperity."
Meanwhile, UNSW, established in 1949, is a research-intensive public university with 35,679 undergraduate students and 18,226 graduate students.
It ranks 18th in global university rankings and holds the top position in the engineering field among the 'Group of Eight' Australian universities, similar to the U.S. Ivy League.
Located in southeastern Australia, NSW has an area of 809,444 km² (98 times that of Chungnam's 8,247.54 km²) and a population of approximately 8.16 million (about 4 times that of Chungnam's 2.13 million), with its capital being Sydney.
Its Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) is 820.7 billion AUD, which is more than Chungnam's (162.9 billion AUD), but its export value of 142.5 billion AUD is slightly less than Chungnam's (144.5 billion AUD).
Notably, 42% of Australia's top 500 companies are headquartered in NSW.
Department in Charge: Future Industry Division, Mobility Industry Team
Phone Number: 041-635-3958
