Government to establish technology collaboration centers

The South Korean government is taking a major step towards fostering international research and development collaborations with the launch of its new ‘Global Industrial Technology Cooperation Centers’ project. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy has identified six prestigious institutions as priority partners for this initiative, including MIT, Yale University, Purdue University, Johns Hopkins University, Georgia Institute of Technology in the United States, and Germany’s Fraunhofer.

During a meeting led by Minister Ahn Duk-geun, the Ministry announced its commitment to global open innovation strategies and highlighted the importance of partnering with top institutions for joint R&D planning. The selected centers will provide support to Korean researchers, facilitate partner matching, and serve as a platform for international collaboration.

Each institution brings a unique focus to the partnership, with MIT focusing on robotics, AI, displays, and biotechnology, Yale on semiconductors and robotics/AI, Purdue on batteries and mobility, Johns Hopkins on new drug development and healthcare, Georgia Tech on semiconductors, and Fraunhofer on mobility, batteries, and semiconductors.

The Ministry plans to kick off 45 international joint R&D projects in 2024, aiming to derive 100 core industrial technologies by 2028. This ambitious goal is supported by a significant investment of 684 billion won ($510 million) from the Korean government. An advisory committee led by former Seoul National University President Oh Se-jung will oversee the operation of the cooperation centers and ensure the success of the initiative.

Minister Ahn emphasized the government’s commitment to providing comprehensive support through the six centers, streamlining the process for international joint R&D efforts and driving innovation in key industrial sectors.