News
New Year's Address by President of KIST
- Date : 2011-01-07
- Views : 5479
-
Writer
-
- Att.
“I would like to instill in your hearts two keywords – wisdom and passion.”
[New Year’s Address by Dr. Kil-Choo Moon, President of KIST]
First of all, I would like to extend my heartfelt greetings to the members of the KIST community.
The New Year 2011 has dawned upon us. As I was preparing my New Year’s message, I thought long and hard about the message I wanted to convey to you through my speech. This is because my message would set the topic for starting the new year and would present the direction for KIST as we move forward in 2011, marking our 45th anniversary.
As you are aware, this year is the Year of the Rabbit. In Li chi (禮 記: one of the five classics of Confucian literature) the rabbit is described as ‘myung si (明視)’, an animal with clear, bright vision. The word myung si (明視) consists of two Chinese characters; myung (明: bright) and si (視: look). Being able to see the world with a clear and bright vision is just what KIST needs right now. We must equip ourselves with wisdom that enables us to look at the world surrounding us to discover and explore the things that our country, society and mankind need in the future.
An eye for the future is not something that is automatically developed. We must constantly perceive the trends and changes of our society and have the insight to accurately decide what to do and how we can contribute in the midst of those changes. In order to obtain this wisdom, we must first sincerely reflect on ourselves.
In five years time, KIST will celebrate its 50th anniversary. They say that at age 50 you can understand the ways of the heavens. At 50, what will KIST look like as a research institute? Where should we go from here?
When I took office, I pledged to make KIST a research institute that opens the way to the future.
Established here in Hongneung 45 years ago, KIST has greatly contributed to the economic development of Korea, and together with our country, we have made great progress. The growth that KIST has attained was possible due to the unsparing investment by our country as well as the hard work of our researchers. Now is the time to rethink what we can do for our country and in which direction we want to move forward.
For the past 50 years, the hard-earned taxes paid by our people helped us to foster Korea’s science and technological capabilities. We owe it to our country and our people to deliver the benefits of enhanced science and technological capabilities. We must examine the ways to become a research institute trusted by the Korean people by carrying out research that is crucial for the future. How can we utilize science and technology to become a research institute that is responsible for the future of our country? What is it that we need now? These are the questions we should ask ourselves this year.
To answer these questions, first we need the creativity of everyone at KIST. With our current system, we cannot prepare for the future. While our long history and accumulated knowhow is our greatest assets, at the same time, they are an obstacle to promoting change. We must value and pass on our heritage, but more important are creative ideas that lead the future. In science, creativity does not mean creating something completely new as God does. Creativity starts with changing our perception and the way we think. I plan to support you through various programs so that your creative ideas will be able to bear fruit.
In order to foster creativity, autonomy must be ensured. The environment and systems that we create must enable researchers to unleash their full potential. True progress can be achieved when each member is encouraged to think and solve problems on their own through bold delegation of authority and responsibility.
Passion is needed in order for creativity to bear fruit. Today more than anything else, I would like to emphasize the need for passion. Even with the best ideas and the best research infrastructure in place, nothing is possible without your passion.
45 years ago, KIST took off with only a mere number of 18 scientists. At the time, Korea was a barren land for developing science and technology. Our founding fathers – how determined were they as they opened KIST? For all of you working in the KIST Europe, Gangneung and Jeonbuk offices, how does your determination compare?
I would like to ask those of you working in the headquarters. Are you thinking that the passion of our forefathers is irrelevant to you? Have you compared yourself to our predecessors who passionately led the way? Are you just compromising with reality thinking that an accomplished scientist that responds to the needs of the times exists only in history or during hard times?
We must look back and see whether the KIST that we are building right now is close to the KIST that our predecessors dreamed of. Now is the time for renewed passion. This year we face a major shift in the science and technology landscape and it will present us with both opportunities and challenges. We must remember the resolutions we had when we first set foot into KIST as a KIST researcher and once again set the direction for the future in the midst of great changes.
Fellow KIST members,
2010 was truly an eventful year. We were able to achieve 200 billion won in research contracts and produce outstanding research outcomes despite difficult conditions. We are Korea’s best and key research institution. Many countries around the world are envious of Korea’s success, which was achieved through industrialization of science and technology. They are now taking notice of KIST’s past and present activities.
We expect to witness many changes in the science community in 2011. The future is uncertain; however, we must remember that challenging times can present huge opportunities to those who courageously face challenges. In the face of tumultuous changes in the science and technology community, like the sailors of a ship rowing together as one in the face of a raging torrent, we must come together as one. With our own passion and confidence, we must create our future and open the future of Korea.
My dear colleagues and friends,
Wisdom does not come naturally with the years. The wisdom for reading the future will come when we pour our passion and hearts into our work. Today I would like to instill in your hearts two keywords – wisdom and passion.
Wisdom and passion that looks into the future. A research institute that contributes to society by understanding the times and reflecting on itself. When everyone at KIST works hard together as one, through active participation and responsibility, we will be one step closer to our goal by the 50th anniversary of KIST.
My dear friends,
2011, the Year of the Rabbit, a year for looking into the future with a clear and bright vision, has just begun.
As we welcome the new year, which brings us new hope, I hope you will give everything you have to the work you are doing right now. I also hope you will share your love and trust with colleagues and your family. Let’s work together so that at the end of the year we can rejoice and be grateful for the great accomplishments we achieved during the year despite the many difficulties.
I hope that the new year will bring great happiness to all the homes of our KIST family members and I sincerely wish you all of you a healthy and prosperous new year.
Thank you.