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SK On CEO highlights need for tech talent in battery industry
SK On CEO Lee Seok-hee delivers a lecture at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology in Daejeon, Tuesday. Courtesy of SK On
By Park Jae-hyuk
SK On CEO Lee Seok-hee Tuesday emphasized the importance of cultivating technology talent to drive the future of the battery industry during a lecture at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST).
Speaking to about 100 students and faculty at the research university in Daejeon, Lee said the company views hands-on experience in research and manufacturing as essential to long-term success.
“The future of the battery industry ultimately depends on technology talent,” said Lee, who previously served as a professor of electrical engineering at KAIST from 2010 to 2012. “We place the highest value on hands-on experience in R&D and manufacturing.”
Lee introduced SK On’s core identity as a growth-focused, innovation-driven company and presented its latest battery technologies, including high-voltage mid-nickel batteries and cell-to-pack solutions. He said the company’s products lead the industry in energy density, charging speed and safety.
“The battery business is a technology-driven manufacturing sector,” he said. “We are committed to enhancing our technological edge to position ourselves as a top-tier battery company.”
SK On has been expanding partnerships with major universities to strengthen its pipeline of R&D talent.
Last month, Park Ki-soo, head of R&D at SK On, delivered a lecture at the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) following the renewal of a joint research agreement.
The company has established contract-based academic programs for graduate students in partnership with KAIST, UNIST, Sungkyunkwan University and Hanyang University, aimed at developing battery specialists at the master’s and doctoral levels.
It has also created joint research centers with Yonsei University and Hanyang University to promote advanced battery development.
SK On said it actively recruits scholarship students through industry-academic programs and conducts ongoing hiring of experienced professionals and recent doctoral graduates to secure future talent.