Sungkyunkwan University and the Gyeonggi Regional Research Center (GRRC), establish a co-research institution with the Kaneka Corporation of Japan

Sungkyunkwan University (President: Seo Jeong Don) signed an agreement with Japan¢®?s Kaneka Corporation (CEO: Kimikazu Sugawara) for 5 years of co-research and the establishment of an institution for the development of new materials and alternative energy applications.

The co-research initiative with Kaneka is the outcome of efforts by Nam Jae-Do, Chief of the Eco-friendly Sustainable Technology Center – a GRRC operation supported by Gyeonggi Province – and participating GRRC professors including Professor Boo Yong-Soon. It is significant in that it is the first international cooperative initiative pursued by GRRC.

Kaneka Corporation of Osaka, Japan, is a USD 4 billion producer of chemical products including resins, pharmaceutical intermediaries, food supplements, synthetic fibers, and fine chemicals.. It provides diversified products globally supported through worldwide manufacturing and marketing networks.

This research initiative entails a total investment of KRW 2.5 billion, with KRW 500 million annually from Kaneka Corporation, the Sungkyun Nano Science & Technology Institute, the National Core Research Center and the Regional Innovation Center as well as Sungkyunkwan University. GRRC co-participates in research to develop eco-friendly materials such as optical electronic and thin film materials as well as alternative energy applications such as fuel cells.

Supported by Gyeonggi Province, the research center is regarded as a superior example of practical cooperation through co-research with overseas enterprises, and is especially significant in that it exemplifies how domestic universities can develop into international-caliber research partners via cooperation with Japan, which excels at fundamental material technology.

For more information, please contact Gyeonggi’s Science & Technology Divison at 031-8008-4671.