The Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology (KICT) participated in the 2026 U.S.-Korea Conference on Science, Technology and Entrepreneurship (UKC 2026), held in the United States from August 5 to 7, to expand its global network for construction technology collaboration and recruit outstanding research talent in advanced infrastructure fields.

During UKC 2026, the KICT signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Korean-American Society of Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineers (KSCEA) to strengthen its global network in the construction sector and identify opportunities for international collaborative projects. Under the agreement, the two organizations will expand practical cooperation by sharing research information in the fields of construction, civil engineering, environmental engineering, and architecture; identifying opportunities for international joint research and collaborative projects; promoting exchanges among experts; and jointly organizing seminars and forums.

The KICT is also launching the KICT Global Cooperation Advisory Committee to systematically strengthen international research collaboration through key cooperation hubs in the United States, Japan, Europe, and other regions. The committee will consist of experts in four areas—civil engineering; architecture and building energy; water resources and the environment; and AI and future convergence technologies—and will provide technical and policy advice, support international joint research and R&D planning, and facilitate global networking.

In addition, the KICT held an Advanced Infrastructure Recruitment Information Session for Korean scientists and engineers participating in UKC 2026. The session introduced the KICT’s major research areas—including artificial intelligence (AI), infrastructure for national strategic industries, hydrogen, advanced mobility, carbon neutrality and energy, and disaster safety—as well as its plans to recruit outstanding researchers.

The KICT also conducted individual consultations with Korean scientists, engineers, and early-career researchers based in the United States, providing information on recruitment procedures and the research environment at government-funded research institutes. These consultations also helped lay the groundwork for future joint research and continued exchanges among researchers.

Building on its participation in UKC 2026, the KICT plans to expand international joint research and technology exchanges while actively recruiting top research talent from around the world, further strengthening its research competitiveness in advanced construction and infrastructure technologies.

KICT and KSCEA representatives pose for a group photo at the MOU signing ceremony (KICT President Park Sun-kyu, fifth from left; KSCEA President Cho Sool-yeon, sixth from left).

A KICT representative conducts an individual consultation at the recruitment event.