The Science and Technology University of Korea (UST) has been designated a “Highly Accredited University” in the 2025 Education Internationalization Capacity Certification assessment, jointly conducted by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Justice, according to a statement released Wednesday.
The accreditation, the highest level awarded in the assessment, recognizes UST’s efforts to attract international students and enhance its global academic standing. UST, unique within South Korea, leverages 32 government-funded research institutions as “schools” to cultivate science and technology talent.
The university’s president, Kang Dae-im, assumed office in March 2025, outlining a strategy focused on building a student startup ecosystem and contributing to the industrialization of science and technology. He emphasized the importance of not only developing world-first and best technologies but similarly ensuring their adoption by the market. “Developing world-first and best technology at government-funded research institutes is important, but it is meaningless if the products created by companies are not adopted by customers,” Kang stated in a press conference following his appointment, as reported by the Yonhap News Agency.
Kang, a Jeju Island native who previously served as president of the Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS), brings a blend of research and entrepreneurial experience to the role. He spent two years as CEO of a venture company after a 38-year career at KRISS. His appointment marks the sixth presidency in UST’s history. He holds a doctorate in mechanical engineering from KAIST and has held leadership positions in international organizations, including president of the International Measurement Confederation (IMEKO).
UST plans to strengthen its ‘4C’ core curriculum – Creativity, Convergence, Collaboration, and Challenge – and expand opportunities for overseas training and conference participation. The university also intends to broaden its ‘U-LINK’ program, which supports the employment and settlement of foreign students in South Korea, and forge stronger ties with leading international research universities. According to a report from News N Jeju, Kang aims to focus on cultivating “value-creating global talent” in response to rapid global changes.
The university has, to date, graduated 3,788 master’s and doctoral students. Kang has also signaled a commitment to utilizing retired scientists, potentially offering them roles within the university’s ecosystem. The university is collaborating with the National Research Foundation of Korea (NST) to provide comprehensive support for doctoral student startups, according to the Yonhap News Agency report.
