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Dr.Kil-Choo Moon Inaugurated as the 22nd President of KIST (11.30)
- Date : 2010-12-01
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Dr. Kil-Choo Moon was inaugurated as the 22nd President of KIST on November 30, 2010. At the inauguration ceremony, he proposed ‘KIST 50 Years, Global Leading Institute for Future’ as a new vision for KIST. In order to attain this new vision for KIST, he set three key objectives: for KIST to be (1) a future-oriented research institute, (2) a global research institute and (3) a cooperative research institute.
Dr. Moon received his Ph.D. degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Minnesota. After having gaining experience at a U.S. research institute, he joined KIST as the Manager of Air Pollution Laboratory in 1991. He then went on to serve as the Director of KIST Gangneung, then the Vice President of KIST. Recently, he was also the Director for National Science and Engineering Programs of the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF).
Inaugural Address by President Kil-Choo Moon
Dr. Dong-Pil Min, Chairman of the Korea Research Council of Fundamental Science and Technology,
Dear Members of KIST,
Today, I am honored and privileged to address you as the 22nd President of the Korea Institute of Science and Technology.
I assume the position when KIST has a substantive responsibility of having to contribute to national prosperity through cutting-edge scientific research as Korea is faced with a series of unprecedented challenges, including the Yeonpyeong Island incident and the Cheonan warship attack.
I am truly grateful to Chairman Dong-Pil Min and the board members of the Korea Research Council of Fundamental Science and Technology (KRCF) for entrusting me with this honor, the members of KIST for offering me unsparing support, and all the distinguished guests for taking time out of your busy schedules to honor us with your presence today.
I would like to express my gratitude especially to the former presidents and proud senior members of KIST for their devotion and commitment to the development of KIST.
Dear members of KIST,
For the first time as an emerging country in Asia, Korea successfully hosted the G20 Seoul Summit, which catapulted Korea to the center stage of the international community. Not only that, Korea is the only country so far to transform itself from an aid recipient to a donor country, and to realize industrialization and democracy in the shortest period of time in history.
At the forefront of such proud history of Korea stands KIST. The success of KIST has far-reaching implications going beyond the borders of Korea. KIST can be a light of hope to developing countries throughout the world by setting an example that a small research institute built in a war-torn and impoverished country can grow to be a world class institute in just half a century and lead national development.
As is widely known, the world is making a swift shift from a resource consuming growth era of the 20th century to an era of sustainable development of the 21st century. Korea, in particular, is faced with a challenge of having to explore new growth engines for the future as the backbone industries of Korea that sustained the country so far have now entered the maturity stage. Amidst such changes, KIST has the duty and obligation to take the initiative in undertaking advanced scientific research to open a prosperous future for Korea.
Dear members of KIST,
I would like to take this opportunity to propose ‘KIST 50 Years, Global Leading Institute for Future’ as a new vision for KIST. This vision suggests that KIST establish a robust system so that the institute can equip itself with strong research competitiveness to be on a par level with world-renowned R&D centers in key future research fields by the year 2016, marking the 50th anniversary of KIST.
In order to attain this new vision of KIST, I have set three key objectives: for KIST to be (1) a future-oriented research institute, (2) a global research institute and (3) a cooperative research institute, which I will elaborate by suggesting several core strategies to realize them.
First, I will commit myself to turn KIST into a ‘future-oriented research institute’ of Korea and the world by thinking forward and setting future-oriented roles for KIST. To this end, I propose that we concentrate our research capacity in two key areas, which is ‘global agenda based research’ that addresses global challenges while preparing for the future of the nation, and ‘frontier research’ that looks 20 years down the road. It is imperative that we make a shift in focus from ‘research we can do’ to ‘research we must do’.
Furthermore, I plan to launch large ‘flagship program’-type R&D programs and systematize organizational capacity to focus on key research areas. In line with trailblazing characteristics of KIST research, I will also build a liberal and flexible system that encourages creative and bold scientific research rather than only engineering.
Second, I aim to build a ‘global research institute,’ seeking global standards in every aspect. It is of paramount importance to attract global talents to KIST and to nurture talents so that KIST researchers can lead the global scientific community. In this light, I will concentrate resources to recruit and nurture top talents with exceptional capabilities.
It is also important for KIST to achieve a critical mass through quantitative growth in order to compete against the world’s top research institutes. I will make utmost efforts to select and concentrate, but at the same time to drastically expand, research funds and manpower so that KIST can compete in core research areas on a level playing field, in terms of both quantity and quality, against research institutes of advanced countries.
Third, I plan to turn KIST into a ‘cooperative research institute’ as an organization funded by the government and operated by taxpayers money. As the first public-funded research institute, KIST needs to build an open innovative system to grow in harmony with other research centers and also needs to serve as a hub providing platforms for a national R&D network.
KIST, in particular, needs to play a central role bringing together public-funded research institutes to allow successful launch of the revamped National Science and Technology Council, as well as to live up to current expectations and fulfill social responsibilities.
In order to successfully attain the aforementioned vision and strategies of KIST, we need a distinctive approach that is different from the previous way of working and thinking. We need to keep alive the 45 years of experience and assets of KIST while changing the outdated practice and inertia so as to create a unique and optimal organizational culture and a new way of working and thinking for KIST. I will spare no effort to transform KIST into ‘The KIST’ of the world.
Members of KIST,
I have applied for this position because you are here; and today, I have finally come to stand before you as the new president of KIST. At KIST, we have unwavering self-respect, as well as exceptional senior researchers and proud junior researchers. I feel humbled and honored to take the position in the face of many national challenges, but I will commit myself to open a brighter future for KIST in collaboration with all the members of KIST.
There is a saying, ‘Go alone to travel fast but go together to travel far.’ Good visions and strategies can be achieved only when all the members of an organization join forces and pool their wisdom together. I ask you to join me to transform KIST into ‘The KIST’ and I look forward to your continued support and cooperation.
Once again, I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to KRCF Chairman Dong-Pil Min, former KIST presidents and senior KIST members, and the KIST family members for your participation and words of congratulations and encouragement.
Thank you for your attention.