Latest news with #MinistryofScienceandICT
Scoop
a day ago
- Science
- Scoop
Nominate Next-Gen Scientists Driving AI And Biotech Innovation
The search is underway for outstanding young scientists whose cross-border research in artificial intelligence (AI) and biotechnology is addressing some of the Asia-Pacific's most pressing social and environmental challenges. Nominations are now open for the 2025 APEC Science Prize for Innovation, Research and Education, or ASPIRE, under the theme 'Toward AI-Bio Convergence: AI-based Inclusive Biotechnology Solving Social Challenges.' In line with APEC 2025's focus on digital innovation and inclusive growth, this year's theme highlights the potential of AI-powered biotechnology to improve health equity, food security, sustainable agriculture and environmental resilience across the region. 'This year's ASPIRE theme reflects the growing need for policy-relevant science that bridges disciplines and borders,' said Rahima Kandahari, Chair of the APEC Policy Partnership on Science, Technology and Innovation (PPSTI). 'By highlighting the convergence of AI and biotechnology, we aim to draw attention to innovations that can deliver practical, inclusive solutions to complex regional challenges, and also reinforces the importance of scientific cooperation and innovation in advancing shared APEC goals.' Each APEC economy may nominate one scientist under the age of 40 for the annual prize. Nominees will be evaluated for their excellence in scientific research, evidenced by scholarly publications, and their dedication to cross-economy collaboration, particularly on interdisciplinary projects aligned with the year's theme. 'Korea places great importance on empowering young researchers to develop innovative solutions to address complex global challenges. That is why we are proud to support this year's ASPIRE, which recognizes excellence in cross-border, interdisciplinary science,' said Sunghoon Hwang, Director General of the Ministry of Science and ICT of the Republic of Korea. 'AI-bio convergence is a key emerging technology with the potential to transform how economies address longstanding issues such as aging populations, health inequities and sustainable agriculture,' Hwang added. Now in its 15th year, the prize supports APEC's broader goals of enhancing science and technology cooperation, strengthening innovation ecosystems, and promoting sustainable and inclusive growth. Past winners have contributed to advancements in fields such as nutrition, renewable energy, nanotechnology, and public health. Recent awardees include Dr Zheng Liu of Singapore, who won the 2023 ASPIRE for his pioneering work on two-dimensional materials for sustainable energy and advanced electronics; and Dr Jingzheng Ren of Hong Kong, China, who received the 2022 prize for developing new models that balance economic development with environmental sustainability. Both exemplify the power of cross-border scientific collaboration to solve regional and global challenges. The winner of this year's prize will receive USD 25,000, with prize funding provided by the Ministry of Science and ICT of the Republic of Korea, and will be recognized during the upcoming meeting in Korea on 13 August 2025. Nominations must be submitted by 1 July 2025 at 17:30 Singapore time. For eligibility requirements and submission guidelines, please visit the ASPIRE 2025 web page or contact your economy's PPSTI representative.
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
Energy supply yet to suffer disruption amid Mideast tensions: South Korea
Seoul: South Korea's energy supply has yet to experience any disturbance from the Israel-Iran conflict , Seoul's industry ministry said on Thursday, noting it is maintaining an emergency mode in response to escalating tensions in the Middle East. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy held an emergency meeting with officials from the local refinery industry to check the supplies and prices of oil and gas and discuss response measures to uncertainties stemming from the Middle East, reports Yonhap news agency. The ministry said Seoul has not received any reports of disruption in imports of oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG), and that all Korean oil tankers and LNG carriers around the affected region are under normal operation. Korea currently has oil reserves that could last approximately 200 days and gas reserves exceeding the legally mandated level, the ministry explained. The government will prepare responses to possible situations that could affect Korea's energy supply, such as closure of the Hormuz Strait, while working to stabilize energy prices, it added. Global oil prices had surged over 20 percent to US$76.70 per barrel as of Wednesday compared with end-May, according to the ministry, after Israel conducted pre-emptive airstrikes on Iranian military and nuclear facilities, and Iran hit back. To cushion the blow, the Seoul government decided earlier this week to extend its fuel tax cuts, originally set to end in June, through August. It also plans to conduct on-site inspections to crack down on the sale of counterfeit petroleum products. "We will do our best to minimize the impact of Middle East tensions on domestic oil and gas supplies and their prices," said Yoon Chang-hyun, director general for resources industry policy at the ministry. Meanwhile, South Korea has won a 52 million-euro ($59.6 million) deal to supply a key component for the construction of an international experimental fusion reactor being built in France, the science ministry here said. A memorandum of understanding (MOU) has been signed to provide power supply systems for the reactor, part of Seoul's continued contribution to the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) project, according to the Ministry of Science and ICT.
Hans India
2 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
Energy supply yet to suffer disruption amid Mideast tensions: South Korea
Seoul: South Korea's energy supply has yet to experience any disturbance from the Israel-Iran conflict, Seoul's industry ministry said on Thursday, noting it is maintaining an emergency mode in response to escalating tensions in the Middle East. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy held an emergency meeting with officials from the local refinery industry to check the supplies and prices of oil and gas and discuss response measures to uncertainties stemming from the Middle East, reports Yonhap news agency. The ministry said Seoul has not received any reports of disruption in imports of oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG), and that all Korean oil tankers and LNG carriers around the affected region are under normal operation. Korea currently has oil reserves that could last approximately 200 days and gas reserves exceeding the legally mandated level, the ministry explained. The government will prepare responses to possible situations that could affect Korea's energy supply, such as closure of the Hormuz Strait, while working to stabilize energy prices, it added. Global oil prices had surged over 20 percent to US$76.70 per barrel as of Wednesday compared with end-May, according to the ministry, after Israel conducted pre-emptive airstrikes on Iranian military and nuclear facilities, and Iran hit back. To cushion the blow, the Seoul government decided earlier this week to extend its fuel tax cuts, originally set to end in June, through August. It also plans to conduct on-site inspections to crack down on the sale of counterfeit petroleum products. "We will do our best to minimize the impact of Middle East tensions on domestic oil and gas supplies and their prices," said Yoon Chang-hyun, director general for resources industry policy at the ministry. Meanwhile, South Korea has won a 52 million-euro ($59.6 million) deal to supply a key component for the construction of an international experimental fusion reactor being built in France, the science ministry here said. A memorandum of understanding (MOU) has been signed to provide power supply systems for the reactor, part of Seoul's continued contribution to the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) project, according to the Ministry of Science and ICT.
Korea Herald
5 days ago
- Business
- Korea Herald
Korea Launches Global AI+S&T Postdoctoral Fellowship
Program InnoCORE Aims to Foster Korea's Next Generation of Science & Technology Leaders SEOUL, South Korea, June 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- South Korea has announced a major national initiative to enhance its global competitiveness in AI-convergent science and technology (AI+S&T) by launching a large-scale international postdoctoral recruitment program. The Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT), in collaboration with the country's four premier science and technology institutes—KAIST, GIST, DGIST, and UNIST—has officially unveiled the InnoCORE Postdoctoral Fellowship Program, a global initiative aiming to recruit 400 outstanding postdoctoral researchers. This initiative is designed to advance frontier research across key sectors—including biomedicine, aerospace, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing—through international collaboration and AI-powered innovation. The program also aims to address domestic brain drain while attracting top-tier global scientific talent. It specifically targets early-career researchers in the postdoctoral stage, with a long-term vision of nurturing the next generation of global leaders in AI+S&T. To connect with prospective candidates, InnoCORE will host a series of international job fairs at leading innovation hubs: Each event will feature program briefings and on-site interviews with research groups Supported by a five-year government investment of approximately USD 222 million, the program offers an annual base salary of USD 66,000 per fellow, with opportunities for additional funding through research and industry partnerships. Fellows will gain access to state-of-the-art research infrastructure in Korea, including supercomputing systems, semiconductor cleanrooms, and biomedical research facilities. A multi-mentor system—comprising domestic and international experts from academia and industry—will provide tailored guidance and support throughout the fellowship period. The InnoCORE initiative comprises eight research clusters led by the four core institutes, in collaboration with top Korean universities such as Seoul National University, Korea University, and Yonsei University; major industry partners including Naver, LG, Samsung, and Hyundai; and globally renowned institutions such as MIT, Stanford, Harvard, Oxford, Meta, Google, and IBM Research. Research focus areas include: A Ministry of Science and ICT official stated: "In the global competition for AI expertise, postdoctoral researchers are strategic assets for national innovation. Through the InnoCORE program, we are committed to creating a world-class research environment and fostering global partnerships that empower early-career scientists to lead transformative breakthroughs in South Korea." The program is being actively promoted through leading global scientific media, including Nature, Science, and LinkedIn, as well as through diaspora networks such as the Korean-American Scientists and Engineers Association (KSEA) and the Korean Scientists and Engineers Network (KOSEN). Eligible applicants must hold a PhD in a STEM-related field, or be expected to complete their degree by August 2025. Interested candidates may attend one of the InnoCORE global job fairs.
Korea Herald
5 days ago
- Business
- Korea Herald
SKT resumes eSIM sign-ups after 40-day suspension
Korea's largest mobile carrier SK Telecom resumed new subscriber sign-ups using eSIM technology on Monday, marking the end of a 40-day suspension prompted by a recent cybersecurity incident. SK Telecom began offering new eSIM subscriptions at over 2,600 offline retail stores nationwide, according to industry sources on Monday. Unlike traditional physical USIM cards that must be inserted into devices, eSIMs are embedded directly into smartphones, eliminating concerns over inventory shortages. The resumption comes after the telecom carrier halted new subscriptions and mobile number portability on April 18, following a cyberattack that led to the leakage of subscriber information related to USIM cards. Although SK Telecom offered free USIM replacements for affected customers, supply constraints hindered timely replacements, prompting intervention from the Ministry of Science and ICT. On May 1, the ministry issued administrative guidance instructing SK Telecom to suspend new mobile sign-ups and number portability until the USIM shortage was resolved. The ministry had indicated that new business could resume once replacement requests from existing customers were largely fulfilled. The mobile carrier has since been providing daily reports on USIM inventory and replacement progress to the ministry. The decision to resume eSIM services reflects the company's assessment that it can fulfill most outstanding replacement reservations by Friday. SK Telecom expects to secure 1.9 million USIM cards in the second week of this month and 1.6 million in the third week, ensuring a combined supply of 3.5 million units. With sufficient inventory to accommodate additional replacement requests, SK Telecom is also expected to restart new subscriptions using physical USIM cards later this month. To support retail operations, the company plans to dispatch some 3,200 employees from its headquarters and subsidiaries to stores requiring on-site assistance. 'We will make every effort with the utmost priority on USIM replacement to restore customer trust across all distribution channels,' an SK Telecom official said. As of Sunday, the cumulative number of customers who have replaced their USIM cards with SK Telecom reached 8.07 million. The number of remaining customers with reservations stands at 1.82 million.
