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World's 7th 'TUV Rheinland Photovoltaic Testing Center', 2nd in world for university Radically reduce time and cost for international certification for exports Acceleration of GIFT plan and Yeungnam University rises as hub for Photovoltaic Industry [March 8, 2012] Korea's First and World's 7th TUV Rheinland International PV Certification Center opened at YU. At 2pm on the 8th, Yeungnam University (president Lee, Hyo-soo) held the opening ceremony of the 'TUV Rheinland Yeungnam University Photovoltaic Testing Center' (hereafter called 'TUV YU Testing Center') with the attendance of guests such as German ambassador to Korea Hans-Ulrich Seidt, Chief International Officer of TUV Rheinland Stephan Schmitt, Chief Regional Officer Asia Pacific Michael Jungnitsch, CEO of the TUV Rheinland Korea Stefan Heuer, president of the Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry Friedrich Stockinger, Lieutenant Governor for Political Affairs of Gyeongsangbuk-do Lee, In-seon, and other figures in related institutions and photovoltaic industries. It is now in full operation. TUV Rheinland is a global safety inspection and certification institute based in Germany. In terms of photovoltaic certification, it is the world's top institute, having an 80% share of the global market. It is continuously development cooperation and support with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and is acting as a leader in standardizing technology in photovoltaic sector. It is also operating international certification and testing centers for photovoltaic modules in 6 places throughout the world such as in Yokohama in Japan, Cologne in Germany, Arizona in USA, Shanghai in China, Taiwan, and Bangalore in India. The YU Testing Center is only the second to be held in a university following that of Arizona State University in the US. The German ambassador to Korea (5th from left), president of the Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (2nd from right), and Chief International Officer of TUV Rheinland (3rd from right) visited Yeungnam University to congratulate the opening of the 'TUV YU Testing Center'. Prior to the opening ceremony, the Ambassador Seidt stated, "YU is located in a very geographically important location that connects Gumi, Daegu and Pohang, and thus it is very suitable for establishing a Science Cluster." He also added, "Today will be the start of not only cooperation between Korean and Germany companies, but also between universities, and furthermore, it will also promote global industry-academic-research collaboration. Ten years later, we will remember this day." Chief International Officer of TUV Rheinland Schmitt also explained, "This is the second time that TUV Rheinland worked with a university to establish a Testing Center since doing so with Arizona State University in the US in 2008." He also said, "Yeungnam University has procured world-class research capacities and personnel in the Green Energy, and especially in photovoltaic sector. We expect that with the new testing center, it will be even more active than Arizona State University." Professor Jeon, Chan-wook (School of Chemical Engineering) was appointed as the director of the Testing Center. Professor Jeon, who is one of the top experts in the compound thin film solar cells sector in Korea, served as the vice-director of the Daekyeong Regional Innovation Center for Solar Cell & Module and the head of Equipment Support Team since 2008. He will construct and operate the TUV YU Testing Center utilizing his experience in conducting photovoltaic-related process/evaluation equipment construction and corporate support activities. Guests visiting inside the 'TUV YU Testing Center' (from far right, Ambassador Seidt, YU President Lee, Hyo-soo) With the opening of the Testing Center, it is expected that YU will emerge as the Korean hub for the photovoltaic industry. This is because all exports must pass the TUV YU Testing Center to receive international certification. Currently, the photovoltaic industry is growing in not only Germany, but the entire world. According to the German Federal Association for Renewable Energies, the worldwide transactions in the photovoltaic industry will grow to 6 billion euros by 2020, eight times that of the amount in 2005. In Korea, Woongjin Group recently announced that it would sell its cash-crow, Woongjin Coway so that it could enter the photovoltaic business, Likewise, there is growing interest in the photovoltaic industry, which will serve as a blue ocean in the future, and many large companies are joining the race. Regionally, photovoltaic-related companies are being pursued and there are many policies that are strongly supporting this industry such as the establishment of the East Sea Energy Cluster. On this, Director Jeon, Chan-wook said, "International certification is absolutely necessary for exports of Korean-made photovoltaic modules. In the past, it was sent to Japan, Shanghai or Taiwan, costing millions to hundreds of millions of won and several months to up to two years to receive such certification. This translates into the possibility that new products, which required massive investments, can become out of date after receiving certification. However, from now on, international certification can be received from YU so this is no longer a concern." He added with emphasis, "At this point of time when export industrialization in the new renewable energy sector is desperately needed as a new growth engine for the Republic of Korea, YU will compete and cooperate with the world as the Korean base for Green Innovation." Comprehensive Durability Test Equipment for Photovoltaic Modules Meanwhile, with the opening of the Testing Center, YU's 'GIFT Plan' is expected to become even stronger. GIFT(Green Innovation For Tomorrow) Plan embodies YU's research specialization strategy of 'becoming a university that prepares a 'gift' for the future society through green innovation'. There are three main points in the university specialization strategy in the 'green R&D' sector. They are ▲developing energy conservation technologies in existing industries (LED-IT Fusion Technology Research Center, Center for Green Car Parts) ▲development and commercialization of green energy new technologies (RIC for Solar Cell & Module, Institute of Solar Energy, TUV Rheinland Photovoltaic Testing Center, construction of Korean mass production line for ISET Solar Cells) ▲spreading culture for conserving energy (Human Resources Development Agency). These have been pursued since 2009. Furthermore, the 'CRC' (Convergence Research Cluster), which will be a focal point for fusion and convergence research, was constructed and as its first tenant institute, the Green Energy Building was completed in May of last year. Currently, research on finding new advanced technologies through fusion and convergence of relevant majors and institutes are being conducted. In November 2010, the GGECN (Global Green Energy Cluster Network), which pledges R&D collaboration in the green energy sector with solar energy hub research institutes of the US, Germany, France and Australia. In February 2011, the ISET (International Solar Electric Technology) of the US was attracted to establish a solar cell mass production line in Korea, bringing in investments of 50 million dollars (equivalent to 55 billion Korean won). Through this, YU is aiming to become the world's top 10 in the green energy research sector within the next 10 years. On this, YU president Lee, Hyo-soo said, "Advanced countries in the photovoltaic sector such as the US, Germany, France and Australia are keeping an eye on Yeungnam University," emphasizing, "Through the Green Glocal Initiative, we will procure global competitiveness for not only YU, but for our region and Korea."
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National Institute for International Education delegates the education to Yeungnam University Construct basis for promoting global educational cooperation [October 10, 2011] Public employees in charge of global education and exchange from 13 countries around the world, such as Brazil, Chile, Saudi Arabia, Ukraine, and India gathered at Yeungnam University on the 10th. YU (president Lee, Hyo-soo) will conduct the '2011 invitational training for employees of studying abroad and international education/exchange' being consigned by the National Institute for International Education (director Jung, Sang-gi) from the 10th to 17th. 18 will be participating in this training session. Following the opening ceremony held at the YU Internaitonal Video Conference Room at 9am on the 10th, a lecture on Korean culture will be made by Professor Wendy Worthington of the School of International Studies. In the afternoon, they will visit the Gumi Samsung Electronics plant and take a minute to see the competitiveness of Korea that is leading the global IT market. In the morning of the 11th, the group will visit the Cheongdo Saemaeul Movement Birthplace Memorial Halll. Here, the participants listened to a special lecture by Professor Rhee, Jae-hoon (School of Business) on the success model of the Korean economy and the spirit of Saemaeul Movement that led Korea, which was devastated and left in ruins after the Korean War, to grow into an OECD nation in just half a century. In the afternoon, they will visit Andong Hahoe Maeul, which was designated by UNESCO as a world cultural heritage and experience the traditional cultures of Korea. Afterwards, they will attend a seminar entitled, 'Comparison of International Education Systems in Various Countries' and hold a meeting with international students. On the 12th, they will visit Hyundai Heavy Industries in Ulsa, Yandong Maeul in Gyeongju and POSTEC. On the 13th and 14th, they will visit Jeju and then go to Seoul on the 15th and 16th to experience the nature and culture of Korea. Vanessa Carneiro da Costa Rezende, who came as the advisor of the International Affairs Office for Ministry of Education (Brazil), said, "The Korean and Brazilian governments are pursuing exchange and cooperation, so we needed to learn more and better understand Korea." She added, "Through this opportunity, we hope that we will be able to more accurately understanding the education system and conditions of Korea and provide better support and guidance to Brazilian students who wish to come to study in Korea." Joo, Sang-woo (School of Mechanical Engineering) of the YU Office of International Programs who is overseeing this training program stated, "For the globalization of education, governments need mutual understanding and cooperation among public employees who are in charge of studying abroad, international exchange, and education." He added, "With the growing international status of Korea, there are growing numbers of students hoping to study in Korea, particularly among developing countries. With this, understanding and interest of Korea will grow and global educational cooperation with Korea will become more active among public employees in these countires." The completion ceremony will be held at the National Institute for International Education (Jongno-gu, Seoul) on the morning of the 17th.
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Director of team, Professor Chun, Cheong-ghi, senior in International Economics and Business Kim, Yoon-soo, receives the award from Minister of Knowledge Economy Senior in Chinese Language and Literature, Jung, Pil-gyu, receives the commendation from the chairman of the Korea International Trade Association 1 million dollar export contract for 10 years, accumulated employment rate 87% [Mar 2, 2012] Director of YU GTEP Team Chun, Cheong-ghi (third from right) and award-winners (Kim, Yoon-soo, recipient of the award from Minister of Knowledge Economy sitting in front) The YU GTEP team won multiple awards. Professor Chun, Cheong-ghi (School of International Economics and Business) and two students who completed this team received the award from Minister of Knowledge Economy (Ministry of Knowledge Economy, MKE) and the chairman of Korea International Trade Association (KITA). Recently, the MKE held the 4th Graduation Ceremony for GTEP (Global Trade Experts incubating Program) at COEX in Samseong-dong, Seoul. 600 students in 24 teams across the nation were given certifications under the name of the chairman of KITA. At this ceremony, Chun, Cheong-ghi, director of the YU GTEP Team, was awarded by Minister of Knowledge Economy for his contributions in expanding exports for small and medium businesses, and contributing to overcoming the youth unemployment issue by achieving an 87% employment rate in a horrible job market while serving as the head of the team since 2009. In addition, Kim, Yoon-soo (24), a senior in the School of International Economics and Business received the award from Minister of Knowledge Economy, which is granted to the top agent, while Jung, Pil-gyu (24), a senior in the Department of Chinese Language and Literature, received the commendation from the chairman of KITA. 21 students of the YU GTEP Team also received certifications of completing the program. Since being selected as a TI (Trade Incubator) by the MKE in 2001, the YU GTEP Team integrated trade theories with practical education and field experience to focus on fostering and supplying highly adaptable human resources specializing in trade. From 2007, it has engaged in the MKE's GTEP team. It has also established industry-academic cooperation ties with over 40 small and medium businesses to provide them with expertise on trade. Moreover, they have been providing companies having difficulties in entering foreign markets and finding export channels by helping the participants in overseas exhibits and supporting overseas marketing activities. In result, at the Singapore Gifts & Premiums Fair held in July 2007, for the first time for a university student, they pursued contracts worth 355,000 dollars, while providing export consulting worth 8 million dollars the 2009 small & medium business Export Fair. In April of last year, the team participated in the '10th Foire de Paris' and achieved local sales worth 20,000 euros, while signing exclusive sales contracts in five countries in Europe. Students of the YU GTEP Team in the past decade directly contracted exports worth over one million dollars. Furthermore, despite the poor job market, the accumulated employment rate since 2007 for the students in the team is at 87%, thus diligently fulfilling its role as an incubator for outstanding trade experts. Most of the students entered large conglomerates such as Samsung Electronics, POSCO, LG Innotek, GS Retail, Kolon, DuPont, and Louis Vuitton or institutes such as EXCO Daegu and the Daegu Credit Guarantee Foundation. Thus, over 70% of the students who completed the GTEP program are in fields that they prepared for. On this, Chun, Cheong-ghi (49), director of the GTEP Team, said, "Taking the theories they learned in class and applying them on site to create outcomes at businesses through industry-academic cooperation helped students dreaming of going into trade was very helpful. The companies will also have benefited by the students who have expertise in trade and equipped with foreign language skills so that they can expand their business overseas." He also added, "As a win-win model for universities and companies, it will become established as a social infrastructure that strengthens the position of 'Export Powerhouse Korea'.
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Signed Exchange & Cooperation LOI, Discussed details for exchange Expanding global partnership to other prestigious university of France since the University of Strasbourg the University located in sister-city region of Gyeongsangbuk-do, global government-academic-research cooperation expected [February 21, 2012] Yeungnam University (President Lee, Hyo-soo) is expanding and strengthening global partnerships with prestigious French universities. University presidents Lee, Hyo-soo and Brun pose for a photo holding up the exchange & cooperation LOI. Patrice Brun, president of Universities of Bordeaux III of France, was welcomed by Yeungnam University on the afternoon of the 21st. The two universities signed a letter of intent for exchange & cooperation and agreed to discuss details for exchange. In particular, they are planning to concentrate on the research and education collaboration in the green energy sector and the Korea-France cooperation projects based on the 'YU-EU Center'. Universities of Bordeaux III is a four-year national university located in Aquitaine, in southwestern France. Formerly, it was called the Universites de Bordeaux, and was where the French writer Montaigne (1533-1592) and political philosopher Montesquieu (1689-1755) graduated. Since its establishment in 1441, Universities of Bordeaux has become one of the most prestigious universities for higher education in France for over 520 years. In 1968, with the Orientation of Higher Education Act that transformed the education of France, it was separated into four universities and three technical colleges in 1970. University III, which expressed intent for exchange with YU, is specialized in the humanities, philosophy, linguistics, and history, and it has 24 foreign language courses, including Korean. Recently, it established the 'Human-Environment Research Center' and is concentrating research on the earth environment and changes in the ecosystem. Over 16,000 students are enrolled in this university, with over 1,000 currently in their PhD courses. Brun is serving as the representative for the four Universities of Bordeaux and is currently pursuing the integration of the four universities. Thus, it is expected that Yeungnam University will spread its global partnership further, starting with University of Strasbourg last year and Universities of Bordeaux. Furthermore, because the two universities are prestigious universities that represent that Alsace and Aquitaine regions, which have sister-city relations with Gyeongsangbuk-do, it is expected that global government-academic-research cooperation will also be invigorated.
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Global partnership with National University of Kyiv, beginning exchange such as dual diploma for graduate schools Pursuing the exchange with Tomsk State University and the joint research with Moscow State University [February 8, 2012] Yeungnam University (president Lee, Hyo-soo) is accelerating its measures to foster experts on Eastern Europe. Exchange agreement signed by Huberskyi, president of the National University of Kyiv and Lee, Hyo-soo, president of Yeugnam University To start off, Lee, Hyo-soo visited Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv (president Leonid Huberskyi) in the morning of the 7th and signed an exchange and cooperation agreement. The National University of Kyiv is also called the 'Shevchenko University', named after Taras Shevchenko (1814 ~ 1861), who was a folk poet of the Ukraine. It is the most prestigious school in the Ukraine. Thus, the two universities agreed to construct a growing partnership through exchange of human resources including students, professors and researchers, as well as conducting collaborative research, holding joint academic conferences, and sharing academic information based on the understanding of each other's traditions and cultures. In particular, the two universities agreed to offer 'dual diploma' programs for their graduate schools. Now, when students who earned their bachelors from the two universities enroll in graduate school and complete their masters degree course by taking classes at Yeungnam University and the National University of Kyiv, they will receive diplomas from both universities. For this, the two universities are planning to hold discussions to come to agreements on the master's degree educational curriculum. Prior to the signing of the agreement, Lee had a meeting with the students of the National University of Kyiv, whereat he said, "I am surprised to see the high interest about Korea, and I think this will be a very good opportunity for us." He added, "When considering the Ukraine's vast territory, abundant resources, its geopolitical location between Russia and the EU, and the economic potential it will gain from joining the EU, increased exchange with Korea is inevitable. Thus, there is a need to foster experts ahead of time for countries with high potential such as the Ukraine, in addition to nations such as the US, Japan and China. This is the shortcut in realizing our 'Glocal Initiative'." Lee and his envoy held a meeting with students of the National University of Kyiv in the Ukraine and exchanged opinions on actual exchange plans that will be substantial to students As part of this, Lee will also visit Moscow State University, which is one of the most prestigious schools of Russia, and Tomsk State University, the first university of Siberia, to pursue exchange and cooperation. In result, they agreed to pursue research-oriented collaboration focusing on the aerospace sector with the Moscow State University. He initiated an exchange agreement with Tomsk State University, which is famous as the university where former President Gorbachev attended, while also signing an agreement for not only personnel exchange, but also dispatching teams for pursuing collaborative research and co-hosting academic conferences. In addition, pledges to provide support for opening Korean language classes with Novosibirsk State Technical University, which has sisterhood relations, were made, and with Novosibirsk State University the industry-academic cooperation and the educational program cooperation focusing on the green energy sector were also promised. After signing exchange agreement, Lee, Hyo-soo(left, president of Yeungnam University) and George Vladimirovich Mayer(right, president of Tomsk State University) pose for a photo
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100 to be selected. Applications taken until February 15 1 year at Yeungnam University + 3 years at state university in the US, earn diploma from US state university Up to 40% in tuition and living abroad expenses cut [February 3, 2012] Yeungnam University (president Lee, Hyo-soo) will open the '1+3 Global Diploma Course' together with a state university in the US. The '1+3 Global Diploma Course' is an international cooperative education program in which Yeungnam University signed an MOU with a state university in the US. Students in this program will spend one year at Yeungnam University taking general education courses and English language training program. They will then enroll at a state university as a sophomore and after completing three more years of university there, they will receive a diploma from the US state university. Thus, Yeungnam University signed a special agreement on credit exchange with SOU (Southern Oregon University), a reputable university in the western US, and is selecting students for 2012 in the '1+3 Global Diploma Course'. 100 students will be selected and anyone who graduated (or will graduate) from high school and has no problems with being issues a student visa to the US may apply. Applications can be sent by e-mail (global@yu.ac.kr) by February 15 (Wed) or by mail or in person at the YU Center for Continuing Education Office 103 of the Yeungnam University Business Hall (Daemyeong-dong, Daegu). Upon enrollment in the '1+3 Global Diploma Course', all students will be issued temporary SOU student ID cards and the Yeungnam University ESL (English language training program) grades will replace the iBT scores needed for studying abroad. During enrollment at SOU, students will receive 30 to 40% tuition discounts. In other words, students can receive up to 9 million won per year. SOU (photo) was established in 1872 and is located in Ashland, Oregon. There are about 7,000 enrolled students and the student to professor ratio is about 18 to 1. There are 36 majors and over 100 programs and runs on a trimester system. It was ranked 24th in western US top public schools (U.S. News & World Report 2012) and was also selected as a Hidden Gem university (The New York Times 2006). The following are a summary of the major contents of the Yeungnam - SOU '1+3 Global Diploma Course' ■ '1+3 Global Diploma Course' homepage: http://global.yu.ac.kr 1. Curriculum 1) Yeungnam University Center for Continuing Education a) Curriculum - freshmen, general education + ESL b) Roles - select students for enrollment in US state university - issue credit acknowledge certificate and language education completion certificate c) Student status - pre-international student at state university in the US 2) US State University a) Curriculum - sophomore to senior, regular curriculum b) Roles - credits taken in freshmen year accepted - diploma issued by the state university c) Student status - international student at state university in the US 2. Admission Guideline for 2012 1) Diploma issuing university: Southern Oregon University (SOU) in the US 2) Open spaces: 100 students 3) Eligibility: High school graduate (soon-to-be), who qualify for being issued student visas to the US 4) Benefits: 30~40% overseas tuition cut from sophomore to senior year ★ iBT TOEFL scores not necessary (substitutes iBT scores with ESL grades at Yeungnam University) ★ Receive temporary SOU student ID card from freshmen year 5) Schedule a) Application Period - Jan 12, 2012 (Thu) ~ Feb 15, 2012 (Wed) - by mail, by e-mail, in person b) Interview - Feb 16, 2012 (Thu) - TBA at Yeungnam University Daemyeong-dong Campus c) Result Announcement - Feb 20, 2012 (Mon) - homepage and SMS d) Registration - Feb 20, 2012 (Mon) - Feb 27, 2012 (Fri) - account registered by Yeungnam University 3. University fair for parents and students Feb 4, 2012 (Sat), 2pm, YU Daemyeong-dong Campus, Business Hall 106
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"Please show a lot of interest and support for the Paralympics as well" Coach Hwang, Da-yeon, Trainer Choi, Woo-hyuk, Assistant Jang, Se-woong [January 30, 2012] Students from the Department of Special Physical Education selected as staff for Goal Ball at the London Paralympics (left to right: Jang, Se-woong, Hwang, Da-yeon, Choi, Woo-hyuk) "Everyone knows that the Olympics will be held in London this summer. But it seems like only a few know that the Paralympics will also be held there. We ask for your interest and support so that our Taegeuk Warriors, representing Korea, can do their best in the Paralympics where over 7,000 athletes from over 150 countries will come to compete." Three students at the Yeungnam University Department of Special Physical Education will participate in the '2012 London Paralympics' as staff members from August 29 to September 9. These students, who will have roles as important as the athletes on the field, are Hwang, Da-yeon (22, female), Choi, Woo-hyuk (24), and Jang, Se-woong (24), who are all juniors. Hwang will be the coach for 'Goal Ball', Choi will be the trainer, and Jang will be the game assistant. Though it is rare for university students to be selected as staff members for the Olympics, it was almost obvious for these three to be selected, since they have already been recognized for their talents by the Goal Ball Association. Hwang, who hill help the head coach of the goal ball team has licenses as both an instructor and referee. At the IBSA World Championships and Games held in Turkey in April of last year, she served as the trainer for the women's goal ball team and the trainer for the boy's team at the IBSA World Youth Championships held later in July, in which their team won first place. Choi, Woo-hyuk, who will be in charge of making training plans and managing the athletes, has a instructor license, while Jang, Se-woong is also getting ready to earn his instructor license. It is expected that this experience will be very valuable to these three who wish to become instructors in special physical education. The national team for goal ball at London Paralympics is comprised of head coach Kang, Ho-yong, the three aforementioned students, and 6 athletes. After joining the Korean Sports Training Center d’ground on February 1, they will begin living and training together for 200 days. Before beginning their training to get their third Olympic ticket since the 2004 games in Athens, the three stated, "We placed second in the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games. We are training hard with the athletes with the goal of winning the gold in this Olympics." They added, "We hope that through this Paralympics, goal ball, which is a great sport for improving agility, cooperation, and physical fitness for both the disabled and non-disabled, will establish itself as integrated education sports for everyone. We also hope that Korea's feeble sports environment for the disabled will also improve." Meanwhile, 150 members (90 athletes, 60 staff) will go to the '2012 London Paralympics'. Its goal is to place 13th overall (10-12 gold medals). In the 2008 Beijing Paralympics, Korea ranked 13th (10 golds, 8 silvers, 13 bronze). ※ Goal ball: This is a 3:3 team ball sport for the visually impaired, which was created in 1946 for the rehabilitation of blind retired soldiers. It is played in a square indoor court that is 9m in width and 18m in length, similar to the size of a volleyball court. A ball that sounds is used and the objective of this game is to put the ball in the opposing team's goal that is 1.3m high. The ball cannot be thrown, but only rolled. In order to completely disable sight, all athletes are blindfolded from start to finish of the game.
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Signed exchange agreement with the Vietnam National University - Ho Chi Minh City and thus, automatically in exchange relation with its 6 independent colleges and 21 research centers Obtained new bridgehead to enter Southeast Asia following the establishment of the Vietnam Alumni Association [January 10, 2012] With Hallyu of Southeast Asia continuing to the high Korean education fever, Yeungnam University is beginning its full-fledged entry into Vietnam. Yeungnam University (President Lee, Hyo-soo) signed an exchange agreement with the Vietnam National University - Ho Chi Minh City (VNU-HCM) in the main conference room at Yeungnam University on the afternoon of the 10th. (photo) VNU-HCM is a national university association launched by universities in the Ho Chi Minh area in 1995. It has been under the direct jurisdiction of Vietnam’s Prime Minister’s Office since 2011. It is Vietnam’s top advanced education institute having 6 separate colleges (science, engineering, humanities/social sciences, international, information technology, law/economics) and 21 research centers. With this agreement, an official channel for the best minds that graduated from Vietnam National University to study at the Yeungnam University Graduate School has opened, and thus, it is expected that joint research between Korea and Vietnam will become more active. Moreover, Yeungnam University’s advanced medical education, medical technologies and industry-academic cooperation knowhow will be passed on to Vietnam, making it more than merely academic exchange, but a win-win relationship. In particular, using the ‘Yeungnam University Vietnam Alumni Association’ that was established at the end of last year in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam as a hub, it is expected to play a leading role in spreading Korean language education and Korean culture in Vietnam. Currently, over 40 Vietnamese who acquired a degree at Yeungnam University are actively participating in the Yeungnam University Vietnam Alumni Association, and as of the second semester of 2011, 45 students from Vietnam are studying at Yeungnam University. 8 additional students are expected to come to the university in the first semester of 2012. On this, Lee, Hyo-soo expressed his hopes to increase exchange with all of Southeast Asia by saying, “We basically acquired a bridgehead starting with Vietnam that can spread to active exchange with all of Southeast Asia.”
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Research Institute of Protein Sensor develops convenient ‘chip’ for diagnosing aging. ‘Power of Fusion’ of biotechnology, mechanical engineering, clinical medicine, and basic medicine scientifically proved that severe diabetes makes one look older [January 4, 2012] It is probably everybody’s wish to live a long beautiful and healthy life. In order to make this wish come true, one of the most important requisite is to actually measure one’s own aging level, but there are not yet simple and methods to judge one’s level of aging. However, the first step to make all humankind’s wish come true was taken. The Yeungnam University Research Institute of Protein Sensor (director Cho, Kyung-hyun, Professor at the School of Biotechnology, hereinafter called Research Institute) successfully developed a ‘chip’ to make self-diagnosis using very simple methods. This was the fruit of bringing down the high walls among the academic fields of biotechnology (Professor Cho, Kyung-hyun), mechanical engineering (Professors Shim, Jae-sool & Lee, Dong-yeon), and medicine (Professor Kim, Jae-ryong, director of the Yeungnam University Aging-associated Vascular Disease Research Center), and has much more meaning because it well exhibited the ‘Power of Fusion Research’. Professors participating in Protein Sensor Research (from left to right: Professors Kim, Jae-ryong, Cho, Kyung-hyun, Shim, Jae-sool, Lee, Dong-yeon) The Research Institute has observed the changes of high density lipoprotein (HDL)¹ in the serum of the aged and the young for the past three years. The research revealed that the protein declined with aging, causing it to ‘break’, and that its quantity of electric charge changed. They also proved that because of such structural and functional difference, the mobility of protein by the electric response on ‘lab-on-a-chip’² is different depending on the level of aging. In other words, while the protein of the young serum had short and clear movement bands (meaning that the protein is preserved in its original state), the protein of the aged serum had long and vague movement bands (the protein has severe damages and no energy). (※See illustration below) According to the Research Institute, by using this technology, it will become easy not only to check the aging level at home or hospitals with a coin-sized diagnosis chip (square shaped figure below the coin in the above illustration), but also to perform self-diagnosis on risk levels of diabetes and arteriosclerosis. In addition, the Research Institute also revealed that protein of the aged serum and protein transformed by fructose had common characteristics and mobility. This can be said to scientifically prove the saying that ‘severe diabetes will make one look old’ even if that person is young. The results of this research were published in the SCI international academic journal ≪Electrophoresis≫, which is ranked in the top 10 in its respective field, in December. Also, over 10 theses on preceding studies were published in the prominent international journals, such as the ≪Gerontological Society of America≫ in 2010 and 2011. Meanwhile, the National Research Foundation of Korea selected this as an excellent research project. On this, Professor Cho, Kyung-hyun (44, School of Biotechnology), who is also the director of the Yeungnam University Research Institute of Protein Sensor, stated, “In order to procure technologies to apply clinically in large scale, we must first construct a mass production system for the diagnosis chip and also procure additional data in clinical application. For this, we are planning to continue to pursue joint research in which universities are responsible for basic research, corporations are in charge of mass production of diagnosis chips, and large general hospitals conduct clinical applications.” Meanwhile, the Research Institute of Protein Sensor was established at Yeungnam University in February of last year in order to develop bio sensors and diagnostic systems for early detection of aging of blood vessels through the fusion of different disciplines such as biotechnology, mechanical engineering, clinical medicine, chemistry, pharmacy, and information & communication engineering. It is working hard to achieve its goal of commercializing early detection kits for blood vessel aging, diabetes, obesity, and coronary artery diseases. 1) High Density Lipoprotein (HDL): As a type of serum soluble protein, it combines with cholesterol and sends it to different parts of the body. HDL cholesterol, which is known as ‘good cholesterol’, is the total of vale of HDL and HDL-combined-cholesterol, and the higher it is, the better. 2) Lab-on-a-chip: This is a chemical microprocessor integrated various devices needed for analysis using micro machining technologies. Just as in its name, it means that a ‘lab was placed on top of a chip’. It uses plastic or glass materials and can test very small samples through its tiny channels under nano (1/1,000,000,000) liters. This is a core platform technology that can be used not only for searching for new medicines by pharmaceutical companies, but also applied in various fields such as medical diagnosis equipment, health examination instruments at home and on sickbeds, chemical or bio process monitoring, mobile environmental pollutant analysis instrument, remote chemical/bio agent detection devices for chemical, biological and radioactive environments.
