On May 12, the Department of Materials Science and Engineering of Seoul National University's College of Engineering held the Materials Future Forum, “Sustainable, Digital Transformation in Material Research,” at the Global Engineering Education Center at Seoul National University.
 
This event was an occasion for listening to and discussing views on strategies and directions of global companies and to present a new vision regarding education and research in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Seoul National University and in industry-academia cooperation.
 
Chan Park - Dean of the SNU Department of Materials Science and Engineering, In-byeong Kang - Chief Technology Advisor (CTA) of LG Display, Chul-Hong Kim - Research Fellow of LG Display, Bok-Hee Lee -  CEO of DuPont Korea, Hyun-Joo Park - Head of DuPont Sustainability, SeungEun Lee - Research Fellow of Solvay, Young-Chang Joo - Professor of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering and director of the Advanced Institute of Convergence Technology, Professor Ki Tae Nam of the SNU Department of Materials Science and Engineering and Professor Ho Won Jang of the SNU Department of Materials Science and Engineering participated as presenters and panelists, and more than 100 people from industry, academia and students participated in an online/offline hybrid format.
 
This event, attended by the SNU Department of Materials Science and Engineering, LG Display, DuPont Korea, and Solvay Research Center, the issue of ‘carbon neutrality and energy independence through digital innovation and future material development for the super gap in core industries,’ was discussed. Based on close global industry-academia cooperation, a consensus was formed that it is important to create a close cooperative relationship between the government, industry, and academia for the educational platform to cultivate leaders who will lead the future of Korea through creative research and discussions have been held to build an ecosystem for strategic material development and production in key industries.
 
“In order to raise the level of material-related research competency and manpower training education to the top 10 in the world, it is essential to cooperate with global industries and key companies in Korea and through such digital transformation, we will develop eco-friendly-wise strategic materials,” said Chan Park, Dean of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Seoul National University, suggesting his vision during his opening remark,
 
Kang In-byeong, CTA of LG Display, said, “The problems arising in industrial sites are becoming more complex and difficult. In order to solve these problems, individuals that are multi-dimensionally talented with a wide view across the value chain and have a flexible approach are needed. To this end, industry-academia-research officials must cooperate closely in establishing future-oriented R&D strategy directions and developing talent development programs,” said In-byeong Kang, CTA of LG Display.
 
"For sustainable growth, technology, time and place must be used most appropriately and we hope that we can promote the growth of industry and manpower through opportunities such as the Materials Future Forum," said Bok-Hee Lee, CEO of DuPont Korea.
 
“For Solvay, sustainability is the core of business management and Solvay One Planet is a roadmap for sustainable development of ESG. Through science and innovation, we aim to cope with not only climate change but also resource shortages and pursue a better way of living. In addition, we will create shared values that are sustainable ​​with our customers," said SeungEun Lee, Research Director of Solvay.
 
“In order for R&D of the university to directly help in solving various social problems, it is necessary to develop the ability to solve problems in the field, away from the existing thesis-oriented research results and in order to achieve this, a new paradigm is needed for education and research,” said Young-Chang Joo, Professor of the SNU Department of Materials Science and Engineering and director of the Advanced Institute of Convergence Technology.
 
In addition, a consensus on the importance of eco-friendly materials (carbon dioxide, solar power, steel, displays, electronic materials, hydrogen, and eco-friendly polymers) was formed at the forum and discussions continued on the need for education and research programs to cultivate human resources. In addition, there was an additional suggestion that the role of universities and companies should be sought for national efforts, knowledge fusion should be promoted through industry-academia cooperation and answers should be found in challenging startups and corporate activities.
 
“Cooperation is important for start-up countries where diversity and openness are assets and small companies in the materials sector move towards an innovative economy that leads to the improvement of the overall constitution of the manufacturing industry. We promise to continue our cooperation to ensure that the opinions and discussions resulting from today will be implemented and we plan to share further advanced opinions during our next debate forum,” said Chan Park, Dean of the SNU Department of Materials Science and Engineering during his closing remarks.