On April 15, The Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology (KICT) hosted a series of meetings with UST on promoting the UST-KICT School at its Ilsan headquarters.

The University of Science & Technology (UST) is a graduate school established by government-funded research institutes, offering master’s and doctoral programs designed to cultivate R&D professionals who enhance Korea’s national competitiveness. Operated by KICT, KICT School provides specialized education in the fields of construction technology and national land management through three key programs: Environmental and Water Resources Engineering, Urban Convergence Engineering, and Geotechnical and Spatial Engineering—all core disciplines of construction and environmental engineering. Currently, KICT School has a faculty of 45 and an enrollment of 35 students, including 13 master’s, 13 doctoral, and 8 integrated master’s–doctoral students. With 29% of its student body comprising international students, KICT School is both culturally diverse and globally engaged, producing joint research and academic publications in English.

The day began with a meeting between the presidents of KICT and UST, followed by a faculty meeting, and concluded with a session between KICT School students and attending officials. In-depth discussions were held on various ways to strengthen the operations of both KICT School and UST. Participants included KICT President Park Sun-Kyu, UST President DaeIm Kang, faculty members from both institutions, and students of KICT School.

In the initial meeting between the two presidents, key agenda items were addressed, including formal recognition of school deans, securing permanent positions at government-funded research institutes for graduates, and establishing academic affairs manager roles. Discussions then turned to KICT School specifically, covering topics such as expanding faculty and student enrollment, adjusting the proportion of Korean-language instruction, and enhancing the convergence program in construction and environmental engineering, which offers guaranteed employment upon completion. During the faculty meeting, participants shared suggestions for improving HR procedures, granting honorary and distinguished professorships, and attracting top-tier researchers while motivating current faculty. In the final session, students raised questions on improving support for student council activities, expanding international exchange opportunities, and receiving assistance for startups.

These meetings provided an opportunity to strengthen the strategic partnership between KICT and UST and served as a foundation for further enhancing KICT School’s research-focused curriculum and global presence.

KICT President Park Sun-Kyu (fifth from left) and UST President DaeIm Kang (sixth from left) before the day’s meetings

Meeting of the faculty of the KICT School and UST delegation

UST President DaeIm Kang (fifth from front left) with KICT School and UST faculty after the day’s meetings

KICT School students in a meeting with the UST President and faculty