POSTECH, which has the only synchrotron radiation source laboratory in the country, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the RIKEN SPring-8 Center of Japan, which is the biggest synchrotron radiation source laboratory in the world.The MOU was signed on Oct. 5 in Japan and both parties agreed on the interaction between the two centers, the use of laboratory facilities and equipment, and the co-hosting of seminars and science councils.When this MOU comes into effect, a remote lab is to be installed in RIKEN for researchers from POSTECH who use 4th generation synchrotron radiation.

“POSTECH @ The Ritz 2009” was the title of the POSTECH alumni meeting held on Sep. 23 in the Seoul Hotel Ritzcarlton. Nearly 260 alumni and invited guests attended the meeting to reinforce relationships among alumni and reminisce about pleasant memories of their old days at POSTECH.Starting with opening remarks by the chairman of the POSTECH Alumni Association, the event proceeded with messages from Sunggi Baik, the current president of POSTECH, an encouraging speech by the representative of Tae-joon Park, the founder of POSTECH, a briefing of the association, an introduction to Vision 2020, a

POMIA (Pohang Institute of Metal Industry Advancement), a specialized R&D center to fully support small and medium sized enterprise, opened in Pohang and held its completion ceremony at 2 pm on Sep. 25 in the square next to the POSTECH Graduate Institute of Ferrous Technology (GIFT), in Jigok-dong, Nam-gu, Pohang.POMIA started construction work in Mar. 2008, which was completed in May 2009. It was established to provide a one-stop system to carry out research, experimentation and manufacturing together in a building with four stories above and one underground. An underground pathway connects P

The Student Union met international students to discuss issues about globalization at POSTECH in the community hall in DICE (Dormitory for International Cultural Exchange) on Oct. 6. Five international students from France, Austria, Germany and India attended the meeting, and discussed three subjects: food, classes, and the dormitory .◎ Food : International students usually go to eat their meals in the student cafeteria. But Indians mostly cook their meals for themselves since many are vegetarian. On top of that, they feel difficulty in ordering food at the snack bar in the Student Union build

On Sep. 29, there was a ‘Thanksgiving Dinner Party’ at the Student Union Building yard for the international students in POSTECH, organized by the International Relations Office (IRO). This program was held in celebration of Chuseok, the Korean Thanksgiving Day, to help the international students experience Korean culture and food. IRO draws up monthly programs like this, choosing a special theme for each program, from dinner parties to Korean tours. Usually, specific dates for the program are not fixed, and about 30~60 students participate. Not international professors, but only international

How much do you know about Korean intangible treasures? How many kinds of Korean performances have you seen? Why haven’t you been able to seek them out? No time? No opportunity? For international students, The Postech Times introduces the Korean Traditional Orchestra concert held in POSTECH.Busan Metropolitan Traditional Orchestra, founded in 1984, covers not only Korean traditional music but Korean creative music for a new era. Composed of nearly 70 members, the orchestra has performed more than 120 subscription concerts and 1100 special concerts. Since 2003, it has held the Busan Traditional

DICE, the Dormitory for International Cultural Exchange, is a special dormitory where both international and Korean students live. DICE has some distinguishing characteristics as compared with general dormitories because more than half of the DICE members are international students. First of all, there is a rule that everyone should talk only in English. This policy helps international students adjust to a new environment in Korea and provides Korean students a good opportunity to practice English conversation in real life. Second, DICE members can make their own food in the kitchen room, wher

In 2006, the year of its 20th anniversary, POSTECH announced “POSTECH Vision 2020.” Three years have passed since the announcement and all members of the university are putting their efforts into this vision-becoming a world top 20 research-oriented university by the year 2020. POSTECH is also in pursuit of fostering creative students and engineers with global leadership and creating economic value by conducting high impact research.There are five key areas planned to improve to reach the goal. Selecting competitive students through a unique admission system and continuously providing a custom

POSTECH has cancelled the 2009 KAIST-POSTECH Science War as a precaution against the contagious H1N1 Flu virus. The event, held annually to promote friendship between the two universities through sports competitions and science contests, was planned for Sep. 18 to 19 in POSTECH.The cancellation occurred as the fear of the H1N1 Influenza rose and a student from POSTECH was confirmed positive in the first selection sample tests for the flu. The student was sent home until the final test for a definite diagnosis and eight students who were with him the day before were taken to a nearby hospital a

Professors Kwang S. Kim and Kimoon Kim of the Department of Chemistry were elected as POSTECH Fellows, and given extensive support such as an extension of the retirement age and the reward of a special bonus. The two chemists who recieved global recognition due to excellent research outcomes, were selected as the second subjects of the POSTECH Fellow system, established in March in order to improve the standard of research and education of professors. Under the system, professors will receive a guarantee of retirement age by achieving distinguished research and education. The ones elected will

The POSTECH admission system has entirely changed this year with support from the national government. This new system is expected to work better than the old one, as POSTECH will select students after considering all factors, not only SAT scores which were the most important points for selecting students in the past, but also non-curriculum factors like leadership, potential, communication with people, volunteer work, etc. These factors will become matters of consequence.The system was introduced to Korea for the purpose of removing certain negative effects related to customs resulting from u

Kim Tae-won, Google Korea Creative Maximizer, gave a lecture to Postechians titled ‘Magic of Four Years, Magic of a Rectangle (Search Box)’ at the POSCO International Center on Sep. 11. Author of the book, ‘Young Googler’s Letter to Dead Passion’, Kim is famous for living with great passion. When he was an undergraduate student, he participated in many project competitions, internship programs and club activities, and obtained excellent results. For example, he won a prize in the Hyundai BGF Competition and won an excellence prize in the KT&G Marketing League. He was selected as a Microsoft co

The English Clinic provided by POSLEC is now open to all members eager to learn English. It gives various services related to English, such as the correction of pronunciation, grammar and composition, and presentation practice, at no charge. ◎ Main Services of the English Clinic- To advise and answer questions related to English learning and English assignments. - To train for English presentations through one to one conversation with a consultant.- To advise and evaluate English interviews and academic presentations.◎ Reservation Procedure- Reservation can be done by calling 279-8004 or visit

Professor Moo-hyun Cho from the Department of Physics won the commendation from the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology for his contribution to the development of KSTAR, known as ‘the Korean artificial sun’ on Sep. 9.Professor Moo-hyun Cho was the person in charge of developing the source of electric power for KSTAR. He was higly recognized for his success in localizing high-voltage source devices. The devices that he developed were high-voltage sources with a high frequency inverter type and a high current source device with a 20kA direct current, which were judged to provide an opp

The Overseas Study Program Information Session for Undergraduate Students was held at the POSCO International Center on Sep. 8 by the POSTECH International Relations Office. Intended to give detailed information about POSTECH’s Overseas Study Program, this session attracted scores of students who were interested in the programs.In the session, five sub-sessions were offered: the Overseas Internship Program, the Study Abroad Program, the Exchange Student Program, the Summer Session Program, and the AEARU(Association of East Asian Research Universities) Student Summer Camp. The person in charge

Professor Jin Kon Kim of the department of Chemical Engineering succeeded in developing macromolecule materials with supporting technology which can write nano-scale patterns of TB scale ultrahigh-density data only using pressure in room temperature. The new technology is particularly expected to save energy consumption compared to the ordinary technology of IBM, which should be operated at over 350℃. Introducing the significance of the development, Professor Kim said, “Now we can construct nano-scale patterns only using pressure at room temperature. The research achievement prepared a basis o

According to the official Vision 2020 key index, most important indices should be improved by 2010, so I am very curious how reality corresponds to the plan. Among five key areas to achieve the goal of being in the world’s top 20 universities are the globalization, education, research, faculty and financial spheres. I cannot speak about the latter ones, because have no access to statistics on them, but can tell you what I feel about the popularization of POSTECH work going on out there.In my opinion, there should be extensive work done to make POSTECH visible in global arena. The information i

I am very pleased to make this congratulatory address on the newly published The Postech Times English to all the members of POSTECH. It is very glorious for me as the professor editor to have seen various POSTECH members read the first edition of The Postech Times English here and there on campus.Though there had been some thoughts of publishing The Postech Times English, the final decision was made at the reception table of the 20th anniversary of The Postech Times last winter. Since then, we have launched into building The Postech Times English. In only ten months we have elected a vice-pro

What is Gae Cheon Jeol?Gae Cheon Jeol is on Oct. 3 and it is more than just a national holiday. For those who do not know about Gae Cheon Jeol, it can be described as the National Foundation Day of Go Joseon, the fore country of Korea. Go Joseon was founded by Dangun, who was said to be the grandson of God. There is a background myth behind Gae Cheon Jeol which is called the Dangun Myth.The Dangun Myth, the oldest tale in KoreaThe Dangun Myth contains the foundation story of Go Joseon. According to the myth, Hwan Ung, the son of God, came down from the sky to what is now the Korean Peninsula a

Nationality of Foreign PostechiansThese days we can see many foreign Postechians around campus. Have you ever wondered ‘How many foreigners are here in POSTECH?’ and ‘Where are they from?’ To satisfy your curiosity, The Postech Times prepared a brief chart about foreign Postechians as of Sep. 2009. As you can see, Postechians from India take up the largest portion, but there are no Indian undergraduate exchange students. All Indians are researchers or graduate students. The 47 Chinese students constitute the second largest portion. The sum of Indian and Chinese amount to 99, more than the numb