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"KAIST Opens Up! Cutting-Edge Research Sites Revealed... 'OPEN KAIST 2025' to be Held < 2025 OPEN KAIST Poster > KAIST announced on the 23rd of October that it will hold the 'OPEN KAIST 2025' event, which publicly opens research labs, experiment rooms, and research centers on campus, for two days starting from October 30th at the main campus in Daejeon. OPEN KAIST, which began in 2001 and marks its 13th event this year, is a representative research exhibition event operated biennially by the KAIST College of Engineering (Dean Jae Woo Lee), aiming for programs where citizens can directly experience the research environment and encounter science more closely. This year, 16 departments and the KAIST Satellite Technology Research Center are participating, operating a total of 39 programs across five areas: △Experience/Demonstration △Lab Tour △Lecture △Department Introduction △Achievement Exhibition. In particular, the opportunities to directly observe and learn about core future fields such as AI, drones, brain science, nuclear energy, and semiconductors have been greatly enhanced. Professor Jun Han's lab in the School of Computing will introduce technology where AI understands 3D space and constructs virtual environments. Participants will confirm the process of objects in a video being rearranged through a demonstration and learn about the role of AI in future society and the direction of development for spatial perception technology. Professor Hyochoong Bang's lab in the Department of Aerospace Engineering will unveil next-generation drone technologies, including multicopters, unmanned helicopters, and Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) aircraft. Participants will understand their characteristics and usage environments, observe the already flight-tested technologies up close, and get a panoramic view of the changes the drone industry will bring. Professor Minee Choi's lab in the Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences offers an opportunity to experience the relationship between the brain and behavior. Participants will use an online application to create their own mini-brain, virtually examine the effects of exercise or vitamin intake on the brain, and directly experience research equipment and the experimental environment. The Department of Mathematical Sciences has prepared two special lectures for youth. The lecture ‘Secrets Hidden in the Growth Data Patterns of Mammals’ will explore universal mathematical rules within the growth data of various mammals, from the American shrew mole weighing barely 10g to the blue whale exceeding 200 tons. The subsequent lecture, ‘Can This Knot Really Be Undone? — A Mathematical Way to Understand Space’, will explain the mathematical thought process for understanding space, using everyday knots like shoelaces as examples, tailored to the youth's level. The Department of Nuclear and Quantum Engineering program includes radiation detection practice and a look at the potential utilization of next-generation nuclear technologies such as SMRs and microreactors. The Department of Industrial Design will introduce how design research connects to solving real-life problems through lab tours and exhibitions. The Semiconductor Research Facility Tour allows participants to directly enter a cleanroom to observe the process equipment and manufacturing stages, experiencing the completion process of ultrafine semiconductors. In addition, a variety of other programs are prepared, including a lecture by Professor Hyungjun Kim of the Moon Soul Graduate School of Future Strategy titled ‘Meta-Earth: Climate Crisis and Earth's Changes through Data’, the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering’s ‘Centrifuge Modeling Test: Earthquake Research using Centrifugal Force’, and a game development special lecture and exhibition by the School of Computing's game production club 'Haze'. < OPEN KAIST Event Scene > Jae Woo Lee, Dean of the College of Engineering, stated, "We prepared this event to open up KAIST's education and research sites and provide visitors with an opportunity to directly experience and communicate about challenging and creative science and technology innovation." KAIST President Kwang Hyung Lee said, "OPEN KAIST is a meaningful occasion to share the research environment with the public," and "I hope this event serves as an opportunity for youth and citizens to feel the value of science and foster dreams of future challenges." For individual visitors, 'OPEN KAIST 2025' can be freely viewed according to the on-site situation by referring to the booklet distributed at the information desk on the day of the event, without prior application. Detailed schedules and programs can be checked on the website (https://openkaist.ac.kr).**
2025.10.23 View 2540
KAIST Develops Ultrafast Photothermal Process Achieving 3,000 °C in 0.02 Seconds, Boosting Hydrogen Production Efficiency Sixfold < (from left) Ph.D. candidate Seohak Park, Dr. Jaewan Ahn, Ph.D. candidate Dogyeong Jeon, Prof. Sung-Yool Choi, Prof. Il-Doo Kim, Dr. Chungseong Park, Ph.D. candidate Euichul Shin (top left) Dr. Hamin Shin, Dr. Jun-Hwe Cha i> The rapid and energy-efficient synthesis of high-performance catalysts is a critical hurdle in advancing clean energy technologies like hydrogen production. Addressing this challenge, a research team at KAIST has now developed a novel platform technology that utilizes a 0.02-second flash of light to generate an ultrahigh temperature of 3,000 °C, enabling the highly efficient synthesis of catalysts. This breakthrough process reduces energy consumption by more than a thousandfold compared to conventional methods while increasing hydrogen production efficiency by up to six times, marking a significant step toward the commercialization of clean energy. KAIST (President Kwang Hyung Lee) announced on October 20 that a joint research team, co-led by Professor Il-Doo Kim from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering and Professor Sung-Yool Choi from the School of Electrical Engineering, has developed a “direct-contact photothermal annealing” platform. This technique synthesizes high-performance nanomaterials through brief exposure to intense light, generating a transient temperature of 3,000 °C in just 0.02 seconds. Using this intense photothermal energy, the researchers successfully converted chemically inert nanodiamond (ND) precursors into highly conductive and catalytically active carbon nanoonions (CNOs). More impressively, the method simultaneously functionalizes the surface of the newly formed CNOs with single atoms. This integrated, one-step process restructures the support material and embeds catalytic functionality in a single light pulse, representing a significant innovation in catalyst synthesis. CNOs, composed of concentric graphitic shells, are ideal catalyst supports due to their high conductivity, large specific surface area, and chemical stability. However, traditional CNO synthesis has been hindered by complex, multi-step post-processing required to load metal catalysts and by reliance on energy-intensive, time-consuming thermal treatments that limit scalability. < Schematic Illustration of the Limitations of Conventional Thermal-Radiation Synthesis and the Carbon Nano-Onion Conversion via Direct-Contact Photothermal Treatment > To overcome these limitations, the KAIST team leveraged the photothermal effect. They devised a method of mixing ND precursors with light-absorbing carbon black (CB) and applying an intense pulse from a xenon lamp. This approach triggers the transformation of NDs into CNOs in just 0.02 seconds, a phenomenon validated by molecular dynamics simulations. A key innovation of this platform is the simultaneous synthesis of CNOs and functionalization of single-atom catalysts (SACs). When metal precursors, such as platinum (Pt), are included in the mixture, they decompose and anchor onto the surface of the nascent CNOs as individual atoms. The subsequent rapid cooling prevents atomic aggregation, resulting in a perfectly integrated one-step process for both synthesis and functionalization. The team has successfully synthesized eight different high-density SACs, including platinum (Pt), cobalt (Co), and nickel (Ni). The resulting Pt-CNO demonstrated a sixfold enhancement in hydrogen evolution efficiency compared to conventional catalysts, achieving high performance with significantly smaller quantities of precious metals. This highlights the technology's potential for scalable and sustainable hydrogen production. “We have developed, for the first time, a direct-contact photothermal annealing process that reaches 3,000°C in under 0.02 seconds,” said Professor Il-Doo Kim. “This ultrafast synthesis and single-atom functionalization platform reduces energy consumption by more than a thousandfold compared to traditional methods. We expect it to accelerate the commercialization of technologies in hydrogen energy, gas sensing, and environmental catalysis.” The study’s first authors are Dogyeong Jeon (Ph.D. candidate, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, KAIST), Dr. Hamin Shin (an alumnus of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering and a current postdoctoral researcher at ETH Zurich), and Dr. Jun-Hwe Cha (an alumnus of the School of Electrical Engineering, now at SK hynix). Professors Sung-Yool Choi and Il-Doo Kim are the corresponding authors.\ < Inside Cover Image of the September Issue of ACS > The research was published as a Supplementary Cover Article in the September issue of ACS Nano, a leading international journal of the American Chemical Society (ACS). ※ Paper title: “Photothermal Annealing-Enabled Millisecond Synthesis of Carbon Nanoonions and Simultaneous Single-Atom Functionalization,” DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.5c11229 This research was supported by the Global R&D Infrastructure Program and the Leading Research Center Program of the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF), funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT, and the Nano Convergence Technology Center’s Semiconductor–Battery Interfacing Platform Development Project.
2025.10.21 View 2213
KAIST Launches Student Led ESG Research Platform with Brand Revenue KAIST (President Kwang Hyung Lee) announced on the 19th of October that it is launching a new action-oriented ESG program, 'PDSP (Problem Definition to Solution Program),' which returns brand revenue to students to support research aimed at solving social problems. Brand revenue refers to profits from the sale of branded products, such as 'Nubjuk-i,' and the brand shop that KAIST operates near the campus's duck pond. This initiative is the first model to concretize KAIST's brand value and social responsibility through a student-centric approach, serving as an innovative starting point that connects 'research–startup–social contribution.' The project is funded by dividends from Brand KAIST, a subsidiary of KAIST Holdings (CEO Hyunmin Bae), led by co-CEOs Hyun Jung Suk and Byeongjun Bok (CEO of KAI Patent Law Firm, and KAIST Industrial Design alumni). By reinvesting brand revenue into student research activities, KAIST aims to implement a KAIST-style virtuous cycle ESG structure: 'Brand->Revenue->Student->Social Contribution.' PDSP is a research program where KAIST undergraduate students voluntarily form teams to explore social and technological problems and propose solutions. The program name, 'Problem Definition to Solution Program,' signifies that students directly define the problem and design the solution, aiming to become a practical research platform that connects learned knowledge to solving social issues. Through the PDSP, KAIST is expanding the concept of ESG beyond Environment, Society, and Governance to 'Practicing Social Responsibility through Education and Science.' The process of students proactively defining social problems and proposing solutions is itself a form of ESG value realization, and KAIST seeks to build a science and technology-based, action-oriented ESG model through this. The PDSP operates with two research tracks: Deep Tech and ESG. The 'Deep Tech Track' supports fundamental technology research that will lead future industries, leveraging KAIST's advanced science and technology capabilities in areas such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), semiconductors, robotics, biotechnology, new materials, and energy. The 'ESG Track' focuses on research on social issues such as climate change, carbon neutrality, and aging, concentrating on realizing a sustainable society through science and technology. <KAIST PDSP (Problem Definition to Solution Program) Poster> This program is regarded not merely as an idea contest but as a 'student-led Deep Tech incubation program' that promotes substantial technological innovation originating from research labs. Participation is open to approximately 20 teams, each composed of three to five undergraduate students. Each team can choose to apply for either the Deep Tech Track or the ESG Track. A maximum of 1.5 million KRW in research activity expenses will be provided per team for three months, with the funding executed according to KAIST's internal research project standards. Applications are accepted through the KAIST portal site from September 29 until midnight on November 5. Selected teams, after being reviewed by an evaluation committee, will go through stages including orientation, interim check, and performance presentation. Hyeonmin Bae, CEO of KAIST Holdings (Professor of Electrical Engineering), stated, "The PDSP will be the starting point for KAIST-style autonomous research culture where students define problems and design solutions themselves," adding, "We plan to actively consider providing initial investments and commercialization support for outstanding research teams to develop their ideas into startups." Hyeong-Jeong Suk, CEO of Brand KAIST (Professor of Industrial Design), said, "This program, where Brand KAIST's revenue is reinvested into student research, shows that the KAIST brand is evolving beyond a mere symbol to a platform for creating social value. I believe the true power of the KAIST brand lies in students creating new change that bridges technology and society through creative research." A student who submitted an application for the program commented, "I wanted to explore social topics like environmental issues or technological inequality through research, and I am excited that this program offers such an opportunity," adding, "I feel a sense of pride as a KAIST student to be able to give back the knowledge I've gained to society." KAIST President Kwang Hyung Lee emphasized, "Creating a co-prosperity innovation model that returns the value generated by the KAIST brand to our students is also KAIST's strength," and "I hope that the problems defined by the students themselves will contribute to the progress of humanity, and that creative research will become the driving force for social change." Since its establishment in 1971, leading South Korea's scientific and technological development and industrial innovation, KAIST is realizing the 'virtuous cycle of brand value' through its PDSP, presenting a new ESG paradigm that combines student-led social contribution and technological innovation.
2025.10.20 View 1539
KAIST Seoul Campus Dormitory Remodeling Completed, Improving Student Housing < President Kwang Hyung Lee, Booyoung Group Chairman Joong Keun Lee, and executives > KAIST held a completion and donation ceremony for the newly remodeled Pajeongsa and Sojeongsa dormitories at the Seoul Campus on the 18th. The event was attended by key figures including President Kwang Hyung Lee, Booyoung Group Chairman Joong Keun Lee, and students. Booyoung Group is a company that has consistently engaged in various social contribution activities, including housing rental, construction, and support for education and culture. With a deep interest in the field of education, the company is taking the lead in improving student welfare by enhancing university dormitory environments. This remodeling project was carried out as part of a KRW 20 billion donation agreement signed by Booyoung Group last year to create a safe and comfortable learning environment for KAIST students. < President Kwang Hyung Lee, Booyoung Group Chairman Joong Keun Lee, and executives > This remodeling project is being conducted on a total of four dormitory buildings across the Daejeon and Seoul campuses. Three of these buildings, including Pajeongsa and Sojeongsa, have been completed, providing students with newly improved living spaces. The remaining one building is also expected to be completed soon. Through this remodeling, the aging facilities of Pajeongsa and Sojeongsa on the Seoul Campus have been upgraded, including exterior construction and overall mechanical and electrical systems. The two buildings will be named "Ujeong Pajeongsa" and "Ujeong Sojeongsa," taking their names from the donor's pen name. < Group photo of attendees at the Seoul Campus dormitory remodeling completion ceremony > Chairman Joong Keun Lee said, "The dormitory remodeling project, which began with the hope that Korea's scientific talents would be able to devote themselves to their studies and research in a more stable home, has now come to fruition. I hope this will serve as the foundation for KAIST to develop into a world-class university for science and technology innovation." At the completion ceremony, President Kwang Hyung Lee said, "I am very happy to be able to introduce these buildings, which have been reborn through the chairman's donation. KAIST will engrave the chairman's great will in our hearts and dedicate ourselves to nurturing the world's best talent."
2025.09.18 View 1553
POSTECH KAIST 22nd Student Festival in KAIST... Korea's Top Engineering Schools are Alive!" <The 22nd POSTECH-KAIST Student Festival Poster> The annual rivalry match between Korea's leading engineering universities, KAIST and POSTECH, will be held for the 22nd time on September 19th and 20th at the KAIST campus, the university announced on September 18th. The POSTECH-KAIST Student Festival, also known as "Pokajeon," began in 2002 to promote exchange between the two schools. This year's event features a variety of programs, including science and athletic competitions, performances, and broadcasts. Held every September, Pokajeon alternates between Daejeon (KAIST's location) and Pohang (POSTECH's location). This year it's being called "Pokajeon" because POSTECH is the visiting team, and the custom is to put the visiting team's name first. The event is also known as the "Science War," a fitting nickname for a competition featuring the nation's top engineering students. This year's Pokajeon will feature seven events: three science competitions (Hacking, AI Contest, Science Quiz) and four athletic events (Baseball, Soccer, Basketball, and E-sports). <Cheering Scene for the 2023 Basketball Game> The science competitions are unique and a highlight of the festival. The hacking competition kicks off on the first day at 2 p.m. and continues for 12 hours until 2 a.m. the next morning. In this contest, participants earn points by solving information security problems, including cryptography. All team members must participate in rotation, and using generative AI tools is allowed. A live broadcast will show real-time scores and solution processes, giving spectators a sense of the excitement. The AI contest will take place on the same day at 5 p.m. at the Daejeon e-Sports Stadium. Based on the car-soccer game "Rocket League," the competition features AI programs created by the students themselves. The AI programs will control the cars to score goals. Matches are a best-of-five series, with each set lasting five minutes. The Science Quiz will be held on the second day at the Ryu Geun-chul Sports Complex. Participants will solve problems on scientific knowledge and current research trends while also playing a modified version of the strategic card game "Battle Line." They must use strategy cards and soldier cards to secure flags. This event tests not just knowledge but also strategic thinking and teamwork. <2024 Science Quiz> The athletic events combine traditional sports with e-sports. Baseball, soccer, and basketball games will be played on the KAIST campus fields, while the e-sports event ("League of Legends") will be a best-of-three series. Each game will have on-site events to boost participation and excitement for students and spectators alike. The university that wins at least four of the seven events will be the overall champion. KAIST currently holds a 12-8 record, having won the last three consecutive years. "I hope this year's Pokajeon fosters a sense of belonging and pride in the students of both universities through healthy competition, and that it becomes an opportunity to create cherished memories for engineering students," said Oh Sang-jun, head of the Pokajeon planning committee (KAIST, Aerospace Engineering, class of '23). KAIST President Lee Kwang-hyung added, "Pokajeon is a special festival where KAIST and POSTECH students connect through science and sports. I hope they feel pride as key players representing the future of Korean engineering and work together to open up the future of science and technology."
2025.09.18 View 1415
KAIST launches "Junior KAIST" for future scientists who will change the world KAIST (President Kwang Hyung Lee) announced on the 27th of August that it is relaunching its online gifted education program, KAIST Cyber Gifted Education, from the KAIST Center for Gifted Education, into "Junior KAIST," an open science and engineering exploration platform in which any elementary, middle, or high school student can participate. This reorganization was carried out to respond to the declining school-age population, the tendency to avoid science and engineering fields, and the acceleration of digital transformation, with the aim of establishing a national talent development model that supports the early discovery and systematic growth of future science and technology talent. Through this, KAIST plans to expand the base of science and technology talent, reduce regional and social educational gaps, and realize inclusive science and technology education. "Junior KAIST" is a step-by-step inquiry-based online curriculum designed to help students develop interest in science and technology fields and deepen their exploration of areas of interest. In the long term, it aims to discover outstanding science and engineering talent and strengthen connections to higher education and career pathways. In particular, for students from the 4th grade of elementary school to the 2nd year of high school, it operates a grade-specific customized learning curriculum—Enjoy, Dive, Challenge, Boost, and ACE (Achieve Complete Exploration)—to support learning suited to individual levels and interests, while intensively strengthening core STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) competencies such as mathematics, science, future technology, AI, and data-based problem solving. In addition, the program will expand its Question-Based Learning (QBL) model, where students create and investigate their own questions. Outstanding students will also be given opportunities for real career experience, including mentoring with KAIST professors and university (graduate) students, participation in laboratory-based projects, and the presentation of research outcomes. KAIST plans to establish a virtuous cycle talent development system that will, in the long term, connect to admission into science high schools, gifted high schools, and KAIST itself. In the second semester of the 2025 academic year, various courses such as "Enjoy Mathematics," "Enjoy Robots," and "Enjoy AI" will be offered, and registration is available until August 31 through the official website (junior.kaist.ac.kr). Sijong Kwak, Director of the KAIST Center for Gifted Education Research, said, “Junior KAIST is not just gifted education, but a platform for fostering future science and technology talent that grows through curiosity, inquiry, and creativity. We will do our utmost to ensure that KAIST establishes itself as a representative model for national science and technology talent development.”
2025.08.28 View 3749
2025 APEC Youth STEM Science Exchange Program Successfully Completed <Photo1. Group photo at the end of the program> KAIST (President Kwang Hyung Lee) announced on the 11thof August that it successfully hosted the 'APEC Youth STEM Conference KAIST Academic Program,' a global science exchange program for 28 youth researchers from 10 countries and over 30 experts who participated in the '2025 APEC Youth STEM* Collaborative Research and Competition.' The event was held at the main campus in Daejeon on Saturday, August 9. STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) refers to the fields of science and engineering. The competition was hosted by the Ministry of Science and ICT and organized by the APEC Science Gifted Mentoring Center. It took place from Wednesday, August 6, to Saturday, August 9, 2025, at KAIST in Daejeon and the Korea Science Academy of KAIST in Busan. The KAIST program was organized by the APEC Science Gifted Mentoring Center and supported by the KAIST Institute for the Gifted and Talented in Science Education. Participants had the opportunity to experience Korea's cutting-edge research infrastructure firsthand, broaden their horizons in science and technology, and collaborate and exchange ideas with future science talents from the APEC region. As the 2025 APEC chair, Korea is promoting various international collaborations to discover and nurture the next generation of talent in the STEM fields. The KAIST academic exchange program was particularly meaningful as it was designed with the international goal of revitalizing science gifted exchanges and expanding the basis for cooperation among APEC member countries. It moved beyond the traditional online-centric research collaboration model to focus on hands-on, on-site, and convergence research experiences. The global science exchange program at KAIST introduced participants to KAIST's world-class educational and research environment and provided various academic content to allow them to experience real-world examples of convergence technology-based research. <Photo2. Program Activities> First, the KAIST Admissions Office participated, introducing KAIST's admissions system and its educational and research environment to outstanding international students, providing an opportunity to attract global talent. Following this, Dr. Tae-kyun Kwon of the Music and Audio Computing Lab at the Graduate School of Culture Technology presented a convergence art project based on musical artificial intelligence data, including a research demonstration in an anechoic chamber. <Photo3. Participation in a music AI research demonstration> Furthermore, a Climate Talk Concert program was organized under the leadership of the Graduate School of Green Growth and Sustainability, in connection with the theme of the APEC Youth STEM Collaborative Research: 'Youth-led STEM Solutions: Enhancing Climate Resilience.' The program was planned and hosted by Dean Jiyong Eom. It provided a platform for young people to explore creative and practical STEM-based solutions to the climate crisis and seek opportunities for international cooperation. <Photo4. Participation in Music AI Research Demonstration > The program was a meaningful time for APEC youth researchers, offering practical support for their research through special lectures and Q&A sessions on: Interdisciplinary Research and Education in the Era of Climate Crisis (Dean Jiyong Eom) Energy Transition Technology in the Carbon Neutral Era (Professor Jeongrak Son) Policies for Energy System Change (Professor Jihyo Kim) Carbon Neutral Bio-technology (Professor Gyeongrok Choi) After the afternoon talk concert, Lee Jing Jing, a student from Brunei, shared her thoughts, saying, "The lectures by the four professors were very meaningful and insightful. I was able to think about energy transition plans to solve climate change from various perspectives." Si-jong Kwak, Director of the KAIST Global Institute for Talented Education, stated, "I hope that young people from all over the world will directly experience KAIST's research areas and environment, expand their interest in KAIST, and continue to grow as outstanding talents in the fields of science and engineering." KAIST President Kwang Hyung Lee said, "KAIST will be at the center of science and technology-based international cooperation and will spare no effort to support future talents in developing creative and practical problem-solving skills. I hope this event served as an opportunity for young people to understand the value of global cooperation and grow into future science leaders."
2025.08.11 View 4780
KAIST GESS Team Awarded Honorable Mention at 2025 Entrepreneurship Olympiad <Photo: eaureco team at the final pitch> The KAIST Global Entrepreneurship Summer School (GESS) winning team, eaureco, earned an Honorable Mention at the 2025 Entrepreneurship Olympiad, held July 21–23 at Stanford Faculty Club and hosted by Techdev Academy. Competing in the college track, the team showcased their innovative solution among participants from top institutions including Stanford University, UC Berkeley, UCLA, and UC San Diego. Team eaureco—comprising KAIST undergraduate and graduate students Jiwon Park(Semiconductor Systems Engineering), Si Li Sara (Julia) Aow, Lunar Sebastian Widjaja (both Civil & Environmental Engineering), Seoyeon Jang (Impact MBA), and Isabel Alexandra Cornejo Lima (BTM/Global Digital Innovation)—presented a B2B solution that upcycles discarded seaweed into biodegradable ice packs for cold-chain companies. Their business model was recognized for its alignment with sustainability, resource circulation, and social impact goals. <Photo: eaureco team preparing for the final pitch> The team’s ability to rapidly adapt their pitch based on mentor feedback and clearly communicate the value of their idea to judges contributed to their recognition. This accomplishment further highlights the impact of KAIST's GESS program, which supports students in building real-world entrepreneurial skills through immersive learning experiences in Silicon Valley. “The GESS program helped us refine every aspect of our business idea—from identifying the problem to developing a go-to-market strategy,” said Si Li Sara (Julia) Aow, a member of the eaureco team. “We’re grateful for the opportunity to showcase our work on a global stage and hope to continue developing innovations that drive meaningful change.” “This award reaffirms the creative potential and practical capabilities of KAIST students in global innovation ecosystems,” said Dr. Soyoung Kim, Vice President of International Office. “We will continue to invest in programs like GESS to empower our students as future leaders in entrepreneurship.” The Entrepreneurship Olympiad is a global event designed to foster innovation, entrepreneurship, and collaboration among young change-makers. This year’s program featured keynote talks, panels, and workshops led by industry pioneers including Marc Tarpenning (Co-founder, Tesla Motors), Pat Brown (Founder, Impossible Foods), and other influential entrepreneurs from the biotech, fintech, and deeptech sectors. The Honorable Mention recognition underscores KAIST’s commitment to global entrepreneurship education and the growing international visibility of the GESS program.
2025.07.29 View 2933
2025 KAIST Global Entrepreneurship Summer School Concludes Successfully in Silicon Valley < A group photo taken at the 2025 GESS Special Lecture.Vice President So Young Kim from the International Office, VC Jay Eum from GFT Ventures, Professor Byungchae Jin from the Impact MBA Program at the Business School, and Research Assistant Professor Sooa Lee from the Office of Global Initiative> The “2025 KAIST Global Entrepreneurship Summer School (2025 KAIST GESS),” organized by the Office of Global Initiative of the KAIST International Office (Vice President So Young Kim), successfully concluded. Now in its fourth year, the program was designed to provide KAIST students with firsthand experience of the world’s leading startup ecosystem in Silicon Valley, USA, and to strengthen their practical capabilities to take on challenges on the global stage. This year’s 2025 KAIST GESS welcomed approximately 40 participants, including 24 undergraduate and graduate students selected through document screening, interviews, team presentations, mentoring, and peer evaluations, as well as 16 Impact MBA students from the College of Business. The selected undergraduate and graduate participants underwent two months of pre-program training and received mentoring from experienced entrepreneurs to refine their business models and elevate their project ideas. Meanwhile, Impact MBA students joined the Silicon Valley program onsite, attending key lectures and networking sessions to broaden their understanding of the global startup ecosystem. From June 22nd, participants spent seven days in Silicon Valley completing the global entrepreneurship curriculum. The program was operated in cooperation with major organizations including the KOTRA Silicon Valley IT Center, Korea-US AI Semiconductor Innovation Center (K-ASIC), and Plug and Play Tech Center. Local experts delivered lectures on topics such as “Startup Culture,” “Learning from Failures” and “Networks and Capital.” Participants also had the opportunity to visit startups led by KAIST alumni and local entrepreneurs, gaining valuable insights from firsthand stories about global entrepreneurship. Companies visited included Medic Life Sciences (CEO Kyuho Han) and ImpriMed (CEO Sungwon Lim). Through these visits, participants received practical advice on market entry strategies and overcoming challenges in the global arena. As part of their first onsite schedule, KAIST students attended an interactive fireside chat titled “Global Entrepreneurship and AI,” where they engaged in in-depth discussions on the future of AI-driven global startups. The session featured three distinguished speakers: Jay Kim, Head of US Business Development at Hyper Accel; Chandra Shekhar Dhir, AI/ML Director at JPMorgan Chase’s Machine Learning Center of Excellence; and Taesu Kim, co-founder of AI voice synthesis startup Neosapience and KAIST alumnus. Taesu Kim shared, “Facing serious health issues made me reflect on my life, and after recovering, I wanted to pursue something that could create a real impact on society, which led me to start my own company.” He also advised students to “take time at important turning points in life to deeply think about what you truly want to do and how you can contribute to society. In line with the core value of ‘paying it forward’—a fundamental principle of global entrepreneurship learned in Silicon Valley—GESS participants engaged in a community service project titled “Let’s Play with AI+Tech,” organized in collaboration with the Sunnyvale community and Foothill College. Leveraging their strong foundation in AI, KAIST students designed and led a hands-on ‘Doodle AI’ educational program to make foundational AI concepts accessible and engaging for underrepresented local elementary school children and their parents, fostering meaningful community interaction. On the final day of the 2025 KAIST GESS, a pitch competition was held with participation from Silicon Valley venture capitalists and accelerators. Participants presented their business models, developed over the two-month program, to a panel of judges. The winning team was eaureco, and Si Li Sara Aow (Civil and Environmental Engineering) shared, “GESS was a valuable opportunity to test and hone practical entrepreneurship skills beyond mere networking.” She added, “At first, I lacked confidence, but challenging myself to pitch in the final presentation gave me the courage to take one step closer to global entrepreneurship. Pitching in Silicon Valley, the heart of global startups, was an invaluable experience that will shape my path as a global entrepreneur.” The program concluded with a special lecture by Jay Eum, a seasoned Silicon Valley venture capitalist and a judging panel member for GESS over the past three years. He shared key insights on startup success from an investor’s perspective, advising, “The journey of entrepreneurship is never easy, but the sooner you start, the better.” He further encouraged participants to “focus on solving problems in local markets, but do not fear challenging global markets,” inspiring them with courage and actionable advice. So Young Kim, Director of the KAIST Office of Global Initiative, said, “We hope the 2025 KAIST GESS serves as a stepping stone for KAIST students to grow into influential entrepreneurs on the global stage,” adding, “This program is also expected to further enhance KAIST’s international reputation.” Byungchae Jin, Faculty Chair of the KAIST Impact MBA, College of Business, highlighted the program's educational benefits, stating, “Engaging directly with local entrepreneurs and gaining practical experience in Silicon Valley's startup environment provide students with hands-on learning and significant inspiration.” The 2025 KAIST GESS was jointly hosted by the KAIST Office of Global Initiative, Impact MBA, and Startup KAIST. Moving forward, KAIST plans to continue expanding its field-based global entrepreneurship education by linking with key global hubs like Silicon Valley, fostering next-generation global leaders who will lead innovation and challenge the status quo.
2025.07.01 View 5364
KAIST Professor Jee-Hwan Ryu Receives Global IEEE Robotics Journal Best Paper Award - Professor Jee-Hwan Ryu of Civil and Environmental Engineering receives the Best Paper Award from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Robotics Journal, officially presented at ICRA, a world-renowned robotics conference. - This is the highest level of international recognition, awarded to only the top 5 papers out of approximately 1,500 published in 2024. - Securing a new working channel technology for soft growing robots expands the practicality and application possibilities in the field of soft robotics. < Professor Jee-Hwan Ryu (left), Nam Gyun Kim, Ph.D. Candidate (right) from the KAIST Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and KAIST Robotics Program > KAIST (President Kwang-Hyung Lee) announced on the 6th that Professor Jee-Hwan Ryu from the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering received the 2024 Best Paper Award from the Robotics and Automation Letters (RA-L), a premier journal under the IEEE, at the '2025 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA)' held in Atlanta, USA, on May 22nd. This Best Paper Award is a prestigious honor presented to only the top 5 papers out of approximately 1,500 published in 2024, boasting high international competition and authority. The award-winning paper by Professor Ryu proposes a novel working channel securing mechanism that significantly expands the practicality and application possibilities of 'Soft Growing Robots,' which are based on soft materials that move or perform tasks through a growing motion similar to plant roots. < IEEE Robotics Journal Award Ceremony > Existing soft growing robots move by inflating or contracting their bodies through increasing or decreasing internal pressure, which can lead to blockages in their internal passages. In contrast, the newly developed soft growing robot achieves a growing function while maintaining the internal passage pressure equal to the external atmospheric pressure, thereby successfully securing an internal passage while retaining the robot's flexible and soft characteristics. This structure allows various materials or tools to be freely delivered through the internal passage (working channel) within the robot and offers the advantage of performing multi-purpose tasks by flexibly replacing equipment according to the working environment. The research team fabricated a prototype to prove the effectiveness of this technology and verified its performance through various experiments. Specifically, in the slide plate experiment, they confirmed whether materials or equipment could pass through the robot's internal channel without obstruction, and in the pipe pulling experiment, they verified if a long pipe-shaped tool could be pulled through the internal channel. < Figure 1. Overall hardware structure of the proposed soft growing robot (left) and a cross-sectional view composing the inflatable structure (right) > Experimental results demonstrated that the internal channel remained stable even while the robot was growing, serving as a key basis for supporting the technology's practicality and scalability. Professor Jee-Hwan Ryu stated, "This award is very meaningful as it signifies the global recognition of Korea's robotics technology and academic achievements. Especially, it holds great significance in achieving technical progress that can greatly expand the practicality and application fields of soft growing robots. This achievement was possible thanks to the dedication and collaboration of the research team, and I will continue to contribute to the development of robotics technology through innovative research." < Figure 2. Material supplying mechanism of the Soft Growing Robot > This research was co-authored by Dongoh Seo, Ph.D. Candidate in Civil and Environmental Engineering, and Nam Gyun Kim, Ph.D. Candidate in Robotics. It was published in IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters on September 1, 2024. (Paper Title: Inflatable-Structure-Based Working-Channel Securing Mechanism for Soft Growing Robots, DOI: 10.1109/LRA.2024.3426322) This project was supported simultaneously by the National Research Foundation of Korea's Future Promising Convergence Technology Pioneer Research Project and Mid-career Researcher Project.
2025.06.09 View 8874
KAIST School of Computing Unveils 'KRAFTON Building,' A Symbol of Collective Generosity < (From the fifth from the left) Provost and Executive Vice President Gyun Min Lee, Auditor Eun Woo Lee, President Kwang-Hyung Lee, Dean of the School of Computing Seok-Young Ryu, former Krafton member and donor Woong-Hee Cho, Krafton Chairman Byung-Gyu Chang > KAIST announced on May 20th the completion of the expansion building for its School of Computing, the "KRAFTON Building." The project began in June 2021 with an ₩11 billion donation from KRAFTON and its employees, eventually growing to ₩11.7 billion with contributions from 204 donors. Designed as a "Pay It Forward" space, the building aims to enable alumni to pass on the gratitude they received from the school to their juniors and foster connection. Byung-Gyu Chang, Chairman of KRAFTON and a KAIST alumnus, expressed his joy, stating, "I am very pleased that the first building created by alumni donations within KAIST is now complete, and I hope it will continue to be a space for communication, challenges, and growth that connects to the next generation." The completion ceremony, held today at 3 PM in front of the KRAFTON SoC (School of Computing) Building at KAIST's main campus, was attended by over 100 people, including Chairman Byung-Gyu Chang, KAIST President Kwang-Hyung Lee, and Dean Seok-Young Ryu of the KAIST School of Computing. The building's inception dates back to June 2021, with an ₩11 billion donation from the gaming company KRAFTON and its current and former members, dedicated to nurturing future software talent at KAIST. Four alumni, including KRAFTON Chairman Byung-Gyu Chang, who graduated from the KAIST School of Computing, were the first to pledge donations. This initial act inspired more participants, leading to ₩5.5 billion in individual donations from a total of 11 people. KRAFTON Inc. then matched this amount, bringing the total donation to ₩11 billion. Since 2021, KRAFTON Inc. has operated a "Matching Grant" program, a donation culture initiative driven by its members. This system allows the company to match funds voluntarily raised by its employees, aiming to encourage active social participation and the creation of social value among its members. Following this, another 11 KAIST alumni from Devsisters Inc., famous for the Cookie Run series, joined the donation effort. This wave of generosity expanded to include a total of 204 participants, comprising graduates, alumni professors, and current students, acting as a catalyst for the spread of a donation culture within the campus. To date, approximately ₩11.7 billion has been raised for the expansion of the School of Computing building. Furthermore, small donations, including those from alumni and the general public, have continuously grown, reaching over 50,000 instances from 2021 to May 2025. The funds raised through donations were used to construct a 2,000-pyeong (approximately 6,600 square meters) building for individuals who, like Chairman Byung-Gyu Chang, will unleash their potential and become global leaders. The building was named "KRAFTON SoC (KRAFTON SoC)," and KRAFTON Inc. has further pledged additional donations for the building's maintenance over the next 10 years. The newly completed KRAFTON Building is a six-story structure. From the second floor up, it features research labs for 20 professors and graduate students to freely pursue their research, along with large lecture halls. The first floor is designed as a meeting place for current students, alumni, and seniors, serving as a space to remember those who came before them. The four lecture halls on the first floor are designated as "Immersion Camp Classrooms." During the summer and winter sessions, these rooms will be used for intensive month-long courses focused on improving coding and collaboration skills. During regular semesters, they will be utilized for other lectures. Additionally, to support the physical and mental well-being of those weary from study and research, the building includes a small café on the first floor, a fitness center on the second floor, a Pilates studio on the fifth floor, and a soundproof band practice room in the basement. Dean Seok-Young Ryu of the School of Computing explained, "The motivation for this wave of donations began with gratitude for the excellent professors and wonderful students, the free and open communication, the comfortable acceptance of diversity among various members, and the time when we could fearlessly dream. We cannot fully repay those who provided us with such precious time and space, but instead, this will be a 'Pay It Forward' space, a space of connection, where we share this gratitude with our juniors." Alumnus Byung-Gyu Chang shared, "KAIST is more than just an academic foundation for me; it's a meaningful place that helped me set the direction for my life. I am very happy that this space, born from the desire of KRAFTON's members and myself to give back the opportunities and learning we received to the next generation, is completed today. I hope this space becomes a small but warm echo for KAIST members who freely communicate, challenge themselves, and grow." < Congratulatory speech by alumnus Byung-Gyu Chang > President Kwang-Hyung Lee stated, "The KRAFTON SoC, the expanded building for the School of Computing, is not just a space; it is the culmination of the KAIST community spirit created by alumni, current students, and faculty. I sincerely thank everyone who participated in this meaningful donation, which demonstrates the power of sharing and connection." < Commemorative speech by President Kwang-Hyung Lee > On a related note, the KAIST Development Foundation is actively promoting the "TeamKAIST" campaign for the general public and KAIST alumni to meet more "Daddy Long-Legs" (benefactors) for KAIST. Website: https://giving.kaist.ac.kr/ko/sub01/sub0103_1.php
2025.05.21 View 9082
Life Springs at KAIST: A Tale of Two Special Campus Families A Gift of Life on Teachers' Day: Baby Geese Born at KAIST Pond On Teachers' Day, a meaningful miracle of life arrived at the KAIST campus. A pair of geese gave birth to two goslings by the duck pond. < On Teachers' Day, a pair of geese and their goslings leisurely swim in the pond. > The baby goslings, covered in yellow down, began exploring the pond's edge, scurrying about, while their aunt geese steadfastly stood by. Their curious glances, watchful gazes, playful hops on waterside rocks, and the procession of babies swimming behind their parents in the water melted the hearts of onlookers. < As night falls on the duck pond, the goose family gathers among the reeds. > This special new life, born on Teachers' Day, seems to symbolize the day's meaning of "care" and "growth." This wondrous scene of life brought warm comfort and joy to KAIST members, adding the inspiration of nature to a campus that is a space for research and learning. < Under the protection of the adult geese, the goslings take their first steps, exploring the pond's grassy areas and rocks. > This adorable family is already roaming the area leisurely, like the pond's owners. With the joy of life added to the spring-filled pond, warm smiles are spreading across the KAIST campus. < The geese look around, surveying their surroundings, while caring for their goslings. > The pond has now become a small but special haven for students and staff. This goose family, arriving on Teachers' Day, quietly reminds us of the meaning of care and learning conveyed by nature. < The goose family shows care and growth, and warm moments together are anticipated. > --- On Children's Day 2025, a Duck Becomes a Mother In July 2024, a special guest arrived at the KAIST campus. With soft yellow down, waddling gait, and a flat beak, it was undeniably a baby duck. However, for some reason, its mother was nowhere to be seen. Given that it wasn't afraid of people and followed them well, it was clear that someone had abandoned the duck. Fortunately, the baby duck was safely rescued thanks to prompt reporting by students. < Two ducks found on a corner of campus, immediately after their rescue in summer 2024. > The ducks, newly integrated into KAIST, seemed to adapt relatively peacefully to campus life. As new additions, they couldn't blend in with the existing goose flock that had settled on campus, but the geese didn't ostracize them either. Perhaps because they were awkward neighbors, there was hope that the ducks would soon join the existing goose flock. < Following their rescue based on a student's report in summer 2024, the ducks adapted to campus life under the protection of the campus facility team and Professor Won Do Heo. > Professor Won Do Heo of the Department of Biological Sciences, widely known as "Goose Dad," stepped forward to protect them along with the KAIST facility team. Professor Heo is well-known for consistently observing and protecting the campus geese and ducks, which are practically symbols of KAIST. Thanks to the care of the staff and Professor Heo, the two ducks were safely released back onto campus approximately one month after their rescue. < A moment on campus: Before winter, the ducks lived separately from the goose flock, maintaining a certain distance. While there were no conflicts, they rarely socialized. > However, as winter passed, sad news arrived. One duck went missing, and the remaining one was found injured by the pond. While the policy of the facility team and Professor Heo was to minimize intervention to allow campus animals to maintain their natural state, saving the injured duck was the top priority. After being isolated again for a month of recovery, the duck fully recovered and was able to greet spring under the sun. < The mother duck left alone in winter: One went missing, and the remaining one was found injured. After indoor isolation and recovery, she was released back onto campus in the spring. > As spring, the ducks' breeding season, began, Professor Heo decided to offer a little more help. When signs of egg-laying appeared, he consistently provided "special meals for pregnant mothers" throughout March. On the morning of May 5th, Children's Day, 28 days after the mother duck began incubating her eggs with the care and attention of KAIST members, new life finally hatched. It was a precious outcome achieved solely by the duck that had survived abandonment and injury, with no special protection other than food. The duck, having overcome hardship and injury to stand alone, has now formed a new family. Although there is still some distance from the existing goose flock, it is expected that they will naturally find their place in the campus ecosystem, as KAIST's geese are not aggressive or exclusive. The KAIST goose flock already has experience protecting and raising five ducklings. < A new beginning by the pond on Children's Day: On the morning of May 5th, the 28th day of incubation, four ducklings hatched by the pond. This was a natural hatching, achieved without protective equipment. > A single duck brought a special spring to the KAIST campus on Children's Day. The outcome achieved by that small life, leading to the birth of a new family, also symbolizes the harmonious coexistence of people and animals on the KAIST campus. The careful intervention of KAIST members, providing only the necessary assistance from rescue to hatching, makes us reconsider what "desirable coexistence between animals and people" truly means.
2025.05.21 View 7683