The real crisis of the Korean economy may begin with the decline of science and engineering personnel. The number of students enrolled in science and engineering universities is projected to drop from 865,668 in 1999 to 427,457 by 2050. The reduction of science and engineering professionals, who are the future workers of high-tech industries in an economy that relies on its people, is a serious issue. Experts agree that attracting overseas talent is one of the few viable alternatives available right now. ChosunBiz aims to introduce foreign researchers active in the country through the 'Our Laboratory Charles' series and explore necessary institutional improvements to attract more foreign researchers.
Namsung Professor Nam Seong-hyun from Seoul National University is a marine scientist conducting research at sea. His area of activity encompasses not only the shores of the Korean Peninsula but almost every ocean around the world. Since he spends about a month at sea during each research expedition, teamwork is of utmost importance. It is a challenging environment to easily welcome foreigners from different languages and cultures.
Nonetheless, there are two scientists from India in Professor Nam's lab who are currently in a postdoctoral research program. The protagonists are Dr. Panini Dasgupta and Dr. Saranya. Both have adapted without any difficulties and are playing important roles. How are Dr. Pan and Dr. Saranya continuing their dream of becoming marine scientists in Korea, where language barriers and different food cultures and living environments exist?
◇The common language in the lab is English... Removing language barriers
On the 17th, I met Professor Nam Seong-hyun and Dr. Panini Dasgupta at the Seoul National University campus in Gwanak-gu, Seoul. Dr. Saranya could not attend the interview due to ongoing boarding research in the Indian Ocean. Professor Nam affectionately referred to them by the first letter of their names as 'Dr. Pan' and 'Dr. Sar.'
Professor Nam and Dr. Pan identified 'language' as the key to building strong teamwork, regardless of nationality. Dr. Pan barely spoke Korean. However, the lack of problems stemmed from the fact that the official language for lab meetings was English. Professor Nam noted, “We made sure that all academic presentations during lab meetings, including question and answer sessions, were conducted in English, and although there are more Korean students and researchers, we use English to enable Dr. Pan and Dr. Sar to participate.”
Dr. Pan also shared the same opinion. He said, “Since all meetings in the lab are conducted in English, there isn't much linguistic inconvenience,” and added, “Scientific research is conducted in English anyway, so if there are foreigners wanting to study in Korea, I don't think they need to worry too much about the language.”
Dr. Pan and Dr. Sar are a married couple. Dr. Sar joined Professor Nam's lab three years prior, after which Dr. Pan applied. Professor Nam mentioned, “After Dr. Sar joined, about six months passed and a group of Korean doctoral candidates graduated all at once, creating a shortage of doctoral-level personnel. I advertised for postdoctoral researcher positions, and when someone from India applied, I found out it was Dr. Pan, Dr. Sar's husband.”
◇Choosing Korea due to research vessels... “Satisfied with all aspects of life”
Why did Dr. Sar and Dr. Pan choose Korea? Dr. Pan attributed it to the unique nature of marine science. He explained, “In India, it is not common to send research vessels to various seas,” and added, “While many research labs conduct virtual experiments using computers, Professor Nam Seong-hyun's lab allows direct observation at sea, which is why I chose it.”
Professor Nam also found himself in a situation that suited both of them. He remarked, “The domestic school-age population continues to decrease, and we need to cultivate science and engineering professionals, but there are simply too few native citizens.” He concluded, “The only alternative is to bring in as many excellent researchers from abroad as possible.”
He mentioned that at first, he was hesitant to accept foreign students or researchers. The special condition of having to be at sea for a month and the administrative procedures that foreigners must go through to board research vessels like the Araon are quite strict. Nevertheless, he noted, foreign researchers have become a necessity, not a choice.
Did the young couple from India face difficulties adapting to life in Korea? Dr. Pan immediately expressed, “I am very satisfied.” He shared, “There is a family residence provided by Seoul National University, so I am living without any inconvenience regarding living or housing,” and added, “I was concerned about food because I only eat vegetarian food, but it seems that it is not too difficult to maintain a vegetarian diet in Korea now.”
Dr. Pan lost significant weight during the month-long boarding research. Since it was difficult to find ingredients for a vegetarian diet, he lost about 10 kilograms while spending a month in the Indian Ocean. This condition would be the same in any country, not just Korea.
◇Barriers outside the lab... Sticking to Hangul for documents
Professor Nam pointed out, “While the outbound program that sends domestic students overseas has relatively stabilized, the inbound program that brings excellent foreign talent to Korea lacks sufficient efforts from the government and universities.” He emphasized, “While students are important, we need to bring in more postdoctoral researchers and adjunct professors who can conduct research immediately.”
To achieve this, barriers obstructing foreign researchers must be removed. Dr. Pan mentioned that while there are no language difficulties within the lab, the situation changes once outside. Specifically, the various administrative tasks required to secure research funding are rife with obstacles.
Professor Nam stated, “Most research funding application documents must be in Hangul format, which Dr. Pan cannot use,” adding, “Even the guidelines or formats for applying for research funding are so complex that, as a Korean, I find them difficult to understand, so I have to handle these administrative tasks myself.”
Regardless of how good the research results are, without the ability to handle such administrative tasks, one cannot survive as an independent researcher. Professor Nam criticized, “In the current environment of our country, foreign researchers cannot become principal investigators.”
The language barriers in research funding application documents have already been pointed out by several experts. Professor Kim Hyun-cheol from Yonsei University noted in an interview with ChosunBiz last February, “In Korea, to receive research funding, one has to individually upload all publication achievements to places like the Korean Research Information (KRI) and the Integrated Research Support System (IRIS), and since support is not available in English, it becomes extremely inconvenient.”
The Ministry of Science and ICT and the National Research Foundation of Korea are currently reviewing ways to improve aspects of using the Hangul program, which is exclusive to Korea, and issues where major project announcements and researcher information system entries are conducted only in Korean.