As a contribution for advancing developing coun- tries’ institutions of higher education, POSTECH gave generous aid to help found the Department of Material Science and Engineering in Adama Science and Tech- nology University (ASTU) of Ethiopia. President Yong- min Kim stated, “Global contributions for developing countries will make a deep impression between the two nations. Like this oppor- tunity, POSTECH members should have the opportunity to contribute to the world.”POSTECH has the capa- city to administer help in founding the department and building a laboratory by dispatching material en

Professor Nam -Ki Lee (i-Bio and Physics) su- cceeded in find- ing the step-by-step processes of neurotransmitt- ers in the brain cells through the single molecule technique, which had previously been unknown. This principle allows for possibilities to understand the causes of brain cell damage when patients suffer from intractable cerebropathy such as dementia. Prof. Lee’s research team jointed with Prof. Yeon-kyun Shin (KIST) to discover the fact that synaptotagmin-1, which is protein in biological membrane, controlled fusion of cell membrane in process of releasing chemicals by gradationall

The chairman of POSTECH has appointed Prof. Chong Soo Lee as the next Dean of Graduate Institute of Ferrous Technology (GIFT). Upon the completion of Nack Joon Kim’s term as the previous dean, Lee assumed the position, starting on April 1, 2012.Prof. Lee received his master’s degree in 1981 from SNU and doctor’s degree in Metallurgical Engineering in 1984 from Polytechnic Institute of New York, USA. He has been with POSTECH since the very beginning in 1987 and has contributed to the establishment of MSE and served POSTECH with planning, international cooperation, and academy-industry collab- o

LRS (Leucyl-tRNA synthetase) has been shown to work like a switch that regulates the synthesis of amino acid by POSTECH researchers.The joint research team of Professor Sung Ho Ryu (Life), Prof. Sunghoon Kim and Prof. Jung Min Han of SNU Integration Core Center have found that LRS plays a critical role in amino acid-induced mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) activation.Leucine is an essential amino acid that stimulates protein synthesis, helps turn on the body’s switch to build muscle, and spares muscle when dieting. Previously, LRS has been known as the enzyme which transports leucine to ri

One of Korea’s leading venture busines- ses, Ahnlab came to POSTECH with POSTECH graduates to provide a mentorship opportunity to students along with a special lecture delivered by the CEO Hongsun Kim on Mar. 20. As part of its commitment to contribute to the society, employees offered to be the mentors for problems such as being an employee in a company, career paths of engineers, and other such advice for successful college life. The mentors also made a commitment to continue the mentorship.The lecture by the CEO Kim was titled, “How to Live in an Era of Convergence.” He analyzed and gave in

he second fruit tree planting event was hosted by the 26th Dorm Union to endorse a “Green Campus” on POSTECH, commem- orating Arbor Day. The event was held in front of The Resicential College (RC) on Apr. 5. The trees were planted on the hill in front of RC, where sunshine is plentiful and trees tend to grow well. The event is expected to balance out the carbon dioxide discharge, increase awareness of the need for a green campus, and inculcate a sense of ownership by installing a nameplate for each tree. Compared to the six trees out of the 21 trees donated from the student body last year, 17

A piano recital, hosted by three students, June-Eok Leem (PHYS M.S. Ph.D. integrated course), Sangjin Lee (PHYS 06), and Min-woo Choi (GIFT Ph.D candidate) was held on Mar. 27, in the auditorium of PIRL (POSTECH Information Research Laboratories). Organized by the performers, the recital consisted of eight classical tunes composed by famous composers including F. Chopin, F. Schubert, and F. Liszt. After the recital, they gave their thoughts together, “It was really impressive that many people, especially several foreigners, came out to watch this recital, beyond our expectation. We have a stro

The Graduate Association is established to represent graduate students’ opinions this year. In addition, the Delegation of the Class was organized officially to represent the classmates’ opinions as well. As the two groups are autonomous student groups, each group needs to have its own office. However, one group was deprived of this resource because of a misunderstanding and certain decisions. Last year, the 25th board of student representatives made a decision to organize the Graduate Association. Its office was then decided to be the room which had been occupied by the SK-telecom dealership

In response to the meal price survey, the student board of Welfare Facilities approved the motion to increase meal prices. According to Welfare Facilities, the board approved the request of raising meal prices to 2,500 KRW for all three meals each day effective on May 1. Previously, they were 2,000 KRW for breakfast and 2,200 KRW for lunch and dinner. Welfare Facilities requested an increase of 500 KRW for breakfast and 300 for lunch and dinner due to the increased costs of food and production as well as response to worries towards deterioration in the quality of meals.According to the student

The special prep committee for student medical expense reimbursement conducted an undergraduate online survey and released the results. Conducted for a week from Mar. 23, a total of 213 undergraduate students responded to the survey.The results are divided into three items asked on the survey. It indicated that 87.8 percent (187) of the students feel the need for the reimbursement to subsist. For the issue of separating the financial source between the graduate and undergraduate programs, 54 percent (115) answered not appropriate for reasons such as financial stability. However, there was a ve

The thirteenth floor of the Residential College (RC), which is the English Specialized Floor, reformed to a program-focused rather than conversation-focused floor. Until 2011, speaking English on the thirteenth floor was required. Due to the lack of residents who are fluent in English, however, it was likely that students used incorrect grammar and abnormal express- ions. English speaking is no longer required on the floor and all of its residents must participate in at least one English program to enhance their experience in English. In addition, these programs are now open to the entire RC,

Postechians, by nature and necessity, are readers, and English readers at that. Whatever your position here, you probably spend a good portion of your life working your way through textbooks, journal articles or even student assignments. English reading is a big part of our work lives, so we sometimes start to feel that reading is the same thing as working. I think, however, that a lot of us are also lovers of reading. Sure, we have to read some things, but we know the exquisite pleasure of escaping between the covers of a great read, too. The pure escapism of fantasy, romance or mystery novel

It’s been four months since the year 2012 began. About a half year has passed since the inauguration of the President Yongmin Kim, the 6th president of POSTECH. In eight months, it will be the 26th anniversary of our university which was founded on Dec. 3, 1986. Also, Apr. 1, was the 44th anniversary of POSCO, which played the role of originator of our school. This review of our history in this short column is because the 18th anniversary for the death of founding president, Mueunjae Dr. Hogil Kim is near. Apr. 30 is the day of memorial for the founding President Kim who played an important ro

The sound of pencils scratching and a quiet stream of music leaking from earphones are the only sounds that break the silence in the studying hall of grey desks and cubicles just high enough to hide the faces of other people. The heavy, serious atmosphere of the studying hall sometimes overwhelms students seated in the Chungam Digital Library. Despite their resolute determination to study, many head back to their rooms after dozing for a few hours. Any Postechian has probably had a similar experience at least once. There is a lack of diversity for study spaces on campus. Some might say that if

Question: Have you ever attended classes at 11 o’clock? Most students would answer, “Of course. It is normal to take lectures at 11 A.M.” This answer is not strange, but typical. However, the question actually inquires about 11 P.M. Those who specialize in chemistry have a class that starts at 11 P.M. and finishes at 12 A.M. because of the conflicting lab times of organic chemistry and analytical chemistry. During a lab, the teaching assistant (TA) solves homework problems and gives quizzes. But lab times are not considered to be well conducted despite of the original purpose. Because lab time

Falling in love is possibly one of the main perks of being a student. Never again are you likely to find such a broad selection of potential mates all in one place, nor to receive full support from the professional specialists and non-professional specialists: your friends.On Mar. 3, a group of students hung a banner in front of Jigok Community Center advertising that a senior student is looking for a girlfriend. Celebrating his 8000th day of being single, they designed a banner for him and gave him the title “mabeopsa” (wizard in Korean) for not having a girlfriend for that long. It is not to

The picnic season finally came. With April there is relief from the cold on the Han peninsula. It is great to see flowers blooming, making people livelier; however, there is one uninvited guest that always comes around this time of the year: spring allergy. Caused by either yellow dust clouds or pollen, many suffer from spring allergies. In order to find out about its symptoms and precautions, The Postech Times visited the in-school health aid, Mi-jeong Seo in the infirmary, located on the second floor of the Student Union Building. The Causes ①Yellow dustThe origin of yellow

우리대학은 개발도상국가 고등교육기관 발전을 위한 공헌 활동의 일환으로 아프리카 에티오피아의 아다마공과대(ASTU/Adama Science and Technology University)에 신소재공학과를 설립하기 위해 적극 나선다.교육과학기술부는 올해부터 처음 실시하는 개발도상국 역량개발 지원을 통한 한국형 국제협력 강화를 위한 ‘국제협력 선도대학 육성ㆍ지원ㆍ사업’에서 우리대학이 선정됐다고 4일 발표했다. 이에 따라 우리대학은 부산교대와 컨소시엄을 구성하고 포스코ㆍ포항산업과학연구원(RIST)ㆍ포항금속소재산업진흥원(POMIA)의 지원을 받아 아다마공과대에 신소재공학과 설립을 추진한다. 이를 위해 정부가 연 4억 원씩 4년간 총 16억 원을, 포스코가 4억 원, 우리대학은 3억 6천만 원 등 모두 27억 7천만 원(장비, 현물 포함)을 아다마공과대에 지원할 계획이다. 아다마공과대는 에티오피아 최초의 과학기술대학으로서 에티오피아의 두 번째 규모의 대학이며, 지난해에 이장규 전 서울대 교수가 총장으로 취임한 바 있다. 에티오피아에는 31개의 공과대학이 있으나 재료 관련 학과는 한 곳도 없는 것으로 알려져 있으며, 국가 특성상 농업이 주요 산업으로 과학인재들도 대부분

우리대학 복지회가 지난 3월 초 학생식당(프리덤)의 식대인상안을 총학생회를 비롯한 학내 주요단체에 전달했다. 이에 따라 복지회는 학생식당 식대인상을 위한 소위원회를 구성하고 설문조사를 실시하여, 5월 1일부터 인상된 식대를 적용하기로 했다.복지회가 제시한 학생식당 식대 인상안은 A, B 코너의 조식을 2,000원에서 2,500원으로, 중ㆍ석식을 2,200원에서 2,500원으로 인상하는 것으로, 지난 2010년 1월에 조식이 1,700원에서 2,000원으로, 중ㆍ석식이 2,000원에서 2,200원으로 인상된 지 2년 만에 이뤄진 비교적 큰 폭의 인상이다.복지회가 기존에 제시한 인상안은 조ㆍ중ㆍ석식을 모두 500원씩 인상하는 것이었다. 이에 대한 논의를 위해 복지회 이사장, 복지회 팀장(상임이사), 학생이사 6명으로 구성된 복지회 소위원회를 구성했고, 재학생을 대상으로 식대인상에 관한 설문조사를 진행했다. 그 결과 학부생은 362명이 설문에 참여해 인상 의견(73%)이 동결 의견(27%)보다 많았고, 인상 의견의 평균 인상액은 423원, 동결 의견을 포함한 평균 인상액은 309원이었다. 대학원생은 413명이 설문에 참여해 인상 의견(55.2%)이 동결 의견(44

우리대학 김민형(수학) 석좌교수와 정재웅(생명) 석학교수가 각각 2012년 호암상 과학상과 의학상 수상자로 선정됐다. 호암상은 사회발전과 인류복지에 크게 기여한 인사에게 수여하기 위해 호암재단이 1990년 제정한 상으로 수상자에게는 각각 상금 3억 원과 순금 메달이 수여된다.과학상을 수상하는 김민형 교수는 현대 수학의 최상위 학문분야인 산술대수 기하학의 고전적 난제를 풀 수 있는 혁신적인 이론을 제시하여 세계최고의 수학자 중 한 명으로 인정받고 있다. 페르마의 마지막 정리에서 일반화된 ‘정수계수 다항식의 해가 되는 유리수’를 찾기 위해 전혀 다른 분야인 위상수학적 방법론을 도입한 그의 연구업적은 세계 7대 수학 난제 중 하나인 ‘버츠와 스위너톤-다이어 추측’에 비견할 수 있는 중요한 업적으로 평가되고 있다.김 교수는 예일대에서 박사학위를 받고, MIT, 퍼듀대 등을 거쳐 유니버시티 칼리지 런던(University College London)교수를 역임했으며 2010년에는 우리대학 연산(延山) 석좌교수로 초빙됐다. 그는 또, 지난 9월 국내 수학자로서는 처음으로 영국 옥스퍼드대 정교수로 임용되며 화제를 모았다.의학상 수상자로 선정된 정 교수는 데이비스 캘리포니