Korean ambassador visits IIT-Mandi; focus on research collaboration

Leads high-level delegation on 2-day trip, calls to facilitate student and faculty exchange workshops

The Newz Radar

MANDI: The Indian Institute of Technology Mandi hosted Chang Jae-bok, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to India, along with a delegation from the Korean Embassy and other guests at the institute campus on April 23 and 24.

Accompanying Ambassador Chang were Jung Jinhyeon, Science Attaché; Lee Chohee, First Secretary and Consul at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea; Woochan Chang, Country Director KOICA, and Young Ho Kim, Director, India Korea Centre for Research and Innovation, and centre researcher Anshul Joshi.

While hosting Ambassador Chang, IIT-Mandi Director Prof Laxmidhar Behera stressed the significance of establishing robust collaborative relationships with leading universities and research organisations in Korea. He mentioned that this collaboration aimed to promote joint research projects, facilitate student and faculty exchanges and organise workshops focusing on mutually beneficial priority areas.

During his interactions, Ambassador Chang expressed his optimism for the progress of collaborative projects between KOICA and IIT-Mandi. He emphasised the importance of strengthening science and technology cooperation between South Korea and India. Chang delivered a keynote address at an institute colloquium titled “India-Korea, 50 Years and Beyond”. In his address, he elucidated the historical ties between India and Korea, elaborated on the current state of the bilateral relationship and outlined future prospects for India-Korea partnership.

Chang and his team engaged in constructive discussions with the administrative leadership of IIT-Mandi, including deans, school chairs and centre heads. The discussions emphasised the importance of fostering strong collaborative ties between Korea and IIT-Mandi in research, education, and innovation.

During their visit, the guests were given an extensive tour of various research facilities and centres at IIT-Mandi, including the Advanced Materials Research Centre, the Centre for Design and Fabrication of Electronic Devices and the Drone Lab at the Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics. The visit showcased the cutting-edge research infrastructure at IIT-Mandi, highlighting its capabilities in crucial areas such as artificial intelligence and robotics, semiconductor devices, advanced materials and human-computer interaction.

The visit by Chang Jae-bok and the Korean delegation marks a significant milestone in the journey towards enhancing cooperation between Korea and IIT-Mandi, fostering innovation and advancing scientific collaboration for mutual benefit.