■Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) announced on the 16th that it will hold the '2025 Innovation and Future Strategy Symposium' on the 19th at the KAIST Dogok campus in collaboration with the Korea Institute of Science and Technology Evaluation and Planning (KISTEP). The event aims to discuss strategic responses for future growth and national competitiveness amid rapid domestic and international environmental changes, such as the population crisis facing Korea, innovation in artificial intelligence (AI) technology, and changes in the global trade environment following the inauguration of the Trump administration's second term. Online participation is also available through the YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@moonsoul.futures).
■The Korean Intellectual Property Office selected seven private operators to participate in the '2025 Public-Private Partnership IP Strategy Support Project (CIPO Program)' designed to support the growth of high-tech startups in AI, semiconductors, advanced bio, cybersecurity, and quantum technologies. The selected operators include FuturePlay, IPion, BLT Patent Firm, JuneSong Patent Law Office, SY, Roh International Patent Law Office, and RPM Patent Firm. The companies chosen will receive customized package support valued at up to 70 million won, which includes consulting for intellectual property (IP) strategy development, patent and design applications, prototype production and validation, and the creation of investor relations materials and pitches.
■The Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute held the first-year performance report meeting for the 'SMR Virtual Reactor Platform Development Project,' which was selected as a global top strategic research group, on the 16th. The project aims to develop a virtual reactor platform (V-SMR) for the realization of the next-generation Small Modular Reactor (SMR) to reduce the demonstration, design, and operation expenses of SMR, and will run from 2024 to 2029. At the event, the heads of nine specific research fields of the project group presented the technologies under development and the accomplishments of the first year of the project.
■The Korea Aerospace Research Institute announced on the 16th that it has completely revamped its website (www.kari.re.kr) for the first time in 10 years to make aerospace research and development information more accessible and convenient. Moving away from the existing text-centered technical introduction, it has implemented a three-dimensional interactive content showcasing key research and development (R&D) achievements, allowing users to rotate and zoom into the content. Additionally, an interactive chatbot system has been established on the website, along with an archive feature that allows easy downloading of research and development photos and videos.
■The Korea Federation of Science and Technology Societies (KOFST) will host a talk concert titled 'Science, Bridging the Era' with Kim Do-yeon, Chairman of the Taekja Future Strategy Institute and Honorary Professor at Seoul National University (former Minister of Education, Science and Technology) on the 19th at 3 p.m. at the Korea Science and Technology Center (Room 3). This talk concert will discuss the direction of the education system and the research ecosystem based on fundamental reflections on how to view humanity in the AI era. Live participation is available through the KOFST YouTube channel, and pre-registration for on-site attendance can be done via the KOFST website.