KAIST swears in new president

Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) President Lee Kwang-hyung speaks during his inauguration ceremony at the university in Daejeon, Monday. Courtesy of KAIST

By Lee Kyung-min

Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) President Lee Kwang-hyung was sworn in Monday, beginning his four-year term, according to the university.

Lee is a futurologist who pioneered multidisciplinary studies and research, with his work best summarized by continued efforts toward convergence of information, biology and nanotechnology.

He said he will spare no efforts in tackling new challenges head-on to transform KAIST into the most relevant research university in the world, fostering talented students who can work with emerging technologies while pushing for innovative research and development initiatives that will benefit all of humanity.

“KAIST should focus on finding, defining and solving problems and creating value for the sustainable development and prosperity of the country. Our new vision will help mapping out the growth strategy post-artificial intelligence over the next 50 years,” he said at the inauguration ceremony streamed online.

The top five priorities will be education that encourages critical thinking over rote learning, advanced research, internationalization, startups and trust.

KAIST said Lee is an ardent champion of entrepreneurship and startups, helping the so-called “first generation” of KAIST startup entrepreneurs such as leading online game developers Neowiz and Nexon, security technology firm Idis and facial recognition technology developer Olaworks.

Firms set up and run by Lee's former students report a combined 2.5 trillion won ($2.2 billion) in annual sales, and are the creators of around 7,000 jobs

Lee earned his MS in industrial engineering at KAIST in 1980 after completing his undergraduate studies at Seoul National University.

Lee joined the KAIST faculty in 1985 after receiving his Ph.D. in computer science from INSA de Lyon in France.

He has published more than 70 papers in international journals and textbooks on system programming, fuzzy set theory and 3D creativity.

A fellow at the Korea Academy of Science and Technology and the National Academy of Engineering of Korea, he was decorated by the Korean and French governments in recognition of the innovative education and research initiatives he has pursued.