An inaugural meeting was held on Jul. 11 to celebrate the foundation of the joint research center, Max Planck Gesellschaft POSTECH/Korea Research Initiative (MPK). The meeting was attended by leading figures of both institutions, including the former President Sunggi Baik and Peter Fulde, President of the APCTP.

This event was planned to set the basic requirements for establishing an independent research institute, including designating the board and setting a business plan, and get a green light from the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology(MEST) to establish a corporate body.

POSTECH also hosted a workshop at the POSCO International Center on Jul. 11 to discuss the future research cooperation plans. The workshop was attended by leading scientists of attosecond science and complex phase materials, including Dr. Paul Corkum of National Research Council Canada, Head Director Krausz of the Max Planck/POSTECH Attosecond Research Center, Dr. Tetsuo Hanaguri of RIKEN(The Institute of Physical and Chemical Research in Japan), and Head Director Liu Hao Tjeng of the Max Planck/POSTECH.

MPK was established to promote Korea’s competitiveness in the field of basic sciences and high tech industries. The Korean government will invest 30.5 billion KRW and Max-Planck Foundation will provide 3.2 million EUR.