An agreement to open up new areas of international scientific collaboration between the University of Dundee and Korea University was signed today (Tuesday 6 August) by leading scientists from both universities in Dundee.
A team of top Korean scientists is spending a few days in the City to familiarise themselves with the pioneering research that is taking place in Dundee. The University of Dundee has previously worked with the Korean Institute of Science and Technology to develop a microbial bioreactor that breaks down organic pollutants in waste water. The delegation from Korea University will look to identify similar areas of collaboration.
Professor Geoff Gadd, Head of the Division of Environmental and Applied Biology from the University of Dundee visited Korea in 2000 and 2001 to lecture on the activities of the School of Life Sciences - recently rated as the best Biology Research Department in Scotland in the Government's research assessment exercise. The working relationship between Scottish and Korean scientists has flourished since then.
Korea University in Seoul is one of the oldest, largest and most reputable universities in South Korea with over 28,000 students and over 1700 faculty members. The Graduate School of Life Biotechnology of Korea University is a pioneering institution of education and research in several important areas including molecular and applied biology, medical biotechnology and bioengineering.
Areas in which the parties may collaborate include development of collaborative research projects and exchange of research and teaching personnel. The relationship has arisen from an existing research collaboration between Professor Geoff Gadd, Head of the Division of Environmental and Applied Biology in the School of Life Sciences and Professor Byung Hong Kim of the Korean Institute of Science and Technology, sponsored by The British Council and The Royal Society.
Professor Young In Park, Vice-Dean of Korea University and Professor Byung Hong Kim, Senior Scientist at the Korean Institute of Science and Technology and Vice-President of the Korean Society for Applied Microbiology signed the agreement with Vice-Principal Professor David Swinfen, Professor Mike Ferguson FRS, Deputy Head of the School of Life Sciences and Professor Geoff Gadd, Deputy Research Director of the School of Life Sciences for the University of Dundee.