Dr.-Ing. Kwang Ho Kim

KIST-Europe was established as the research institute abroad funded by the Korean government in 1996.

It is the only research stronghold abroad of KIST (Korea Institute of Science and Technology) in Korea. KIST in Korea is the national research institutes supported by Korean government.

The objectives of KIST Europe are outlined as follows:

- Contributions to the globalization of Korean R&D in high science and technology fields.

- Supports for scientists and engineers exchange programs between Korea and EU.

- Promotion of cooperation between Korean and European research institutes, universities and industries.  

KIST-Europe is currently showing active research activity on nanomedicine, Bio-MEMS, Medtronics, Mechatronic sensors and actuators in collaborations with European research groups including Saarland University.

And KIST-Europe has launched a cooperative research plan "SaarBridge Program" to lift up international cooperation between Korea and EU. The "SaarBridge Program" will not only invite Korean universities, research institutes and private companies but also European counterparts that wish to actively have collaboration between Korea and EU. This Program will promote mutually beneficial relationship between Korea and EU in the area of science and technology.  

Moreover, one of the tasks of KIST-Europe is to connect Korean researchers with EU research programs.

Korean government supports these activities by focusing on financing National Contact Organization (NCO) programs which will be dedicated to develop international research network and promote participation to EU Framework Program. In addition, industrial connections will be promoted within the NCO activities for the mutual benefit of the EU countries and Korea.

We welcome any collaborative idea from either EU public research organizations or industrial sectors. Such collaboration will increasingly promote to tighten ties between Korean and European economies, as well as contribute to global advancement in science and technology.