Experts in science and technology emphasized the need to establish a long-term roadmap to assist the influx and settlement of overseas talent.
The National Assembly, The Korean Academy of Science and Technology, and the Korea Federation of Science and Technology Societies held a discussion on the theme of "Solutions for Cultivating Scientific and Technological Talent in an Era of Crisis in Science and Engineering" on the 13th at the National Assembly Member's Hall. The discussion was jointly hosted by lawmakers Jo In-cheol (Democratic Party of Korea), Choi Hyeong-doo, and Choi Su-jin (People Power Party).
During the discussion, it was pointed out that low birth rates, an aging society, a preference for medical schools, and aversion to science and engineering are overlapping issues leading to a deficiency in both quality and quantity of science and engineering personnel. There were also self-deprecating remarks suggesting that due to the decrease in school-age population, it will be difficult to recruit graduate students in science and engineering, especially beyond the top 20 universities, by around 2040. The situation at regional and smaller universities was noted to be particularly serious.
Senior Researcher Park Ki-beom of the Science and Technology Policy Institute (STEPI) and Dean Kim Young-oh of the Seoul National University College of Engineering presented topics titled "Innovation Strategies for R&D in Universities in the Era of Science and Technology Talent Crisis" and "Perspectives on the Science and Engineering Talent Crisis and Future Cultivation from the University Field," respectively. Senior Researcher Park suggested graduate school specialization as a solution, stating, "In an era of population decline and a significant drop in school-age population, enhancing quality rather than quantitative expansion is important," and emphasized the need for universities to differentiate their roles and functions based on academic, research, and practical focus, as well as to specialize both universities and graduate schools.
Dean Kim Young-oh of Seoul National University’s College of Engineering agreed that cultivating exceptional talent is key, rather than merely expanding the quantity of personnel, and proposed establishing research institutions that lead the training of elite AI professionals. He noted, "Cultivating capable, integrated, and creative talent is essential," and stressed the need for various strategies, such as an exceptional undergraduate research program that allows participation from the first year and attracting outstanding overseas talent.
Several alternatives were suggested during the discussion. Yu Jae-jun, dean of the College of Natural Sciences at Seoul National University, stated that fostering talent requires the establishment of an ecosystem for basic sciences and long-term investment. Moon Seung-hyun, former president of the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), emphasized that there should be separate support measures and strategies for nurturing local talent.
Kim Yong-sam, CEO of JinCore and a startup founder from government-funded research institutes, emphasized the need for government support so that startups and ventures can become the driving force for growth, instead of relying on existing large corporations. He stated, "To allow venture companies to grow, they need capital and people, but there is insufficient support in those areas."
Based on the experts' suggestions made that day, the National Assembly plans to improve the research environment and create a long-term roadmap to assist in the influx of overseas talent. Lawmaker Jo In-cheol emphasized that "a long-term roadmap encompassing the influx, settlement, and growth of overseas talent is essential, as well as enhancing the attractiveness of the domestic research community by increasing the consistency and predictability of laws and fostering a societal atmosphere that respects founders and allows for tolerance of failure."