New incentive for schools to foster science and engineering talents

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2005-08-03 12:07

Seoul--(뉴스와이어)--The Korean government announced on August 2 that it would expand the scope of financial incentives for the nation’s research institutions in order to better nurture science and technology talents. It also disclosed a list of high schools, colleges, and graduate programs, which would benefit from the initiative. The government has earmarked 363 billion Korean won for the 2005-2008 program.

The plan is part of a broader program designed to get the nation’s research and education institutions to work together with industries to conduct research and to produce quality workforce. The first phase of the initiative was jointly launched by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy (MOCIE) and the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MOE) in 2004. Under the initiative, only four-year universities were eligible for government subsidies.

In the second phase, which will run from this year, the Ministry of Labor (MOL) will join MOCIE and MOE in expanding the scope of the incentives from the undergraduate to the high school and graduate levels. The program covers high schools, two-year colleges, technical schools, and graduate schools that specialize in “vital” technology and engineering research such as digital broadcasting, display technology, intelligent robotics, concept cars, fuel cells, and pharmaceuticals.

The new policy recognizes that, while funding research activities at higher institutes of education is important, so is improving the quality of technical schools and two-year colleges which form an important basis of the nation’s technology infrastructure.

According to MOCIE, 100,000 students who study at 20 high schools, 30 undergraduate programs, and 52 graduate-level research programs will benefit from the new initiative for the next four years.

On a local level, businesses will form partnerships with nearby schools to form a curriculum that will concentrate on skills and technology needed in the workplace. As part of the training and education process, businesses will provide valuable on-the-job experience to the students and this is expected to help students find their way into technology and engineering careers after graduation. Companies taking part in the program are expected to send their staff to lend their expertise to the students.

MOCIE anticipates that the program will produce 30,000 graduates in the next four years. It will also enhance the competitiveness of local engineering schools.

웹사이트: http://www.mocie.go.kr

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