Konkuk University (KU) opened the “KU Center for Inter-University Research Facilities for Technology” and the “KU Center for Inter-University Research Facilities for Bioscience” equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and facilities which are to be used for research in engineering and bioscience in order to build up the foundation for training talent possessing interdisciplinary skills who will play the leading roles in the 4th Industrial Revolution.
At these Centers, funded through the PRIME (Program for Industrial Needs-Matched Education) Project and the LINC+ (Leaders in Industry-university Cooperation) Project, professors and students can conduct creative research and educational activities by using high-tech and high-priced equipment.
Especially, with the establishment of the “KU Center for Inter-University Research Facilities for Technology”, the “KU Center for Inter-University Research Facilities for Bioscience and Smart Factory” where up-to-date facilities, including 3D printers, are located, KU is making one step closer to its vision “PRIME KONKUK 2020” which focuses on fostering creative talent having skills tailored to the needs of industries.
An ultra-high resolution confocal laser scanning microscope used for research on tissue cells, a high resolution orbitrap mass spectrometer used for quantitative analysis of harmful substance worth KRW 400 million (USD 351,400) and a transmission electron microscope magnifying cellular tissue more than 600,000 times are located at the Centers. In addition to this, the Centers provide a high-tech environment for professors and students to do research by installing approximately ten latest and advanced equipment, such as a fluorescent inverted microscope system, a flow cytometer system, a transmission electron microscope, a nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer, a fat determination system, an automated dry chemistry analyzer, and a real-time PCR system. Six rooms, including a seminar room, will be separately managed by the “KU Center for Inter-University Research Facilities for Bioscience”.
The “KU Center for Inter-University Research Facilities for Technology” equipped with a range of engineering-related equipment is composed of a microstructure analysis laboratory, a surface analysis laboratory, a spectroscopic analysis laboratory, a physical property laboratory, and a chromatography laboratory. The laboratories are located on the 2nd floor of the New Engineering Building, the basement floor of Engineering Building #C and the Science Building. KU will develop curricula, such as “Instrumental analysis and practice” to make the Center easily accessible to undergraduates and organize a workshop on research facilities for postgraduates.
In his congratulatory remarks at the opening ceremony of the Centers held on August 30, 2017, KU President Sanggi Min said “Through the “KU Center for Inter-University Research Facilities for Technology” and the “KU Center for Inter-University Research Facilities for Bioscience”, we can support convergence-based experiments and develop research capabilities of professors. In this aspect, I believe the Centers are innovative places where we can assist students in preparing for the massive flow of changes, called the 4th Industrial Revolution.” He then added, “I am convinced that these Centers will be enormously helpful for professors to offer students who will play pivotal roles in the 4th Industrial Revolution practical training and to encourage them to learn through experiments”.