PROGRAMME

Indro Mukerjee is CEO of Innovate UK, the UK’s innovation agency. He is a highly experienced technology CEO and business leader with a track record of leading innovation and technology commercialisation in businesses of all sizes across the world, from publicly listed and multinational corporations to new venture and private equity backed technology companies. Indro has extensive experience of leading fast growth; start-up; spinouts; restructuring; turnaround and successful M&A. Much of his time was spent in Asia and the US. With a strong personal interest in the development of skills for industry, he cofounded the UK Electronics Skills Foundation and served on the SEMTA (now Enginuity) board for nine years, where he was also chair of the committee managing their investment fund. He is also a passionate advocate for diversity, equality, and inclusion. Indro has a degree in engineering science from University of Oxford, is a graduate of the Wharton Advanced Management Program and speaks several European languages. Indro was elected as an Honorary Fellow of The Royal Academy of Engineering in September 2022.

 

Dr. Byungjoo Min, 5th President of the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology (KIAT), is currently playing a pivotal role in promoting innovation in industrial technologies in Korea. Prior to her appointment, she served as a visiting professor at UNIST from 2016 to 2022 and was a member of the 19th Korean National Assembly from 2012 to 2016. Dr. Min also worked at the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) as a Project Manager in the Research and Development Project for the development of the Advanced CANDU reactor. Subsequently, she held positions as a Chair of the Korean Women in Science and Technology Association, and Chief of the Nuclear Training & Education Center. Regarding her educational background, Dr. Min graduated from Ewha Woman’s University in Seoul, Korea, where she earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Physics. She furthered her studies at Kyushu University in Japan, obtaining a Ph.D. in Physics with a major in Nuclear Physics.

Industrial technology innovation policy is an absolutely essential tool for reducing economic uncertainty, accelerating the restructuring of a country's industrial structure, enhancing the global competitiveness of companies, and driving long-term growth for the country. Since the 20th century, Korea has been on a mission to craft bespoke policies that keep pace with the ever-changing tides of the global environment. In this article, we’re going to dive into the major policies of the Korean government since its establishment and explore the country’s diverse industrial development policies in anticipation of the AI era. We’ll be looking at the incredible journey of Korea, which has grown from one of the world’s poorest countries to become a major player in global value chains. This is a story of hope and possibility, and it’s one we can all learn from. Join us as we explore the way forward for industrial policy.

Dr. Tai Sik Lee is a renowned scientist and engineer in South Korea and the President of the Korean Federation of Science and Technology Societies (KOFST). He earned his bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Seoul National University and his master's and doctoral degrees in construction management from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Following these achievements, he served as a professor at Hanyang University, the president of the Korean Society of Civil Engineers and as the president of the Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology. In addition to his academic work, Dr. Lee has been actively involved in various science and technology-related organizations. As the President of KOFST, he advocates for the rights of scientists and engineers and works towards the advancement of science and technology policies. Dr. Lee is dedicated to strengthening the connection between the scientific communities of South Korea and the world and to fostering future scientific talents.

 

Professor Myungshik Kim’s research interests lie in understanding quantum mechanics and stretching its applications. For his research, he has been awarded the Humboldt fellowship, the Wolfson merit award, the Friedrich von Siemens award and the Hoam science award and elected to the membership of the Royal Irish Academy.

Quantum mechanics is one of the finest theories to explain the laws of nature. It has also provided tools to understand the energy structures of semiconductors which has enabled to develop all the modern information processing tools including computers and mobile phones. The development of lasers is also rooted from quantum mechanics. Our understanding of quantum mechanics has evolved since its birth 120 years ago. Now, we are excited about the potential of the next revolutionary changes quantum mechanics will bring through the development of quantum computers, quantum sensors and quantum communications.

President Sangmok Lee has long been engaged in research within the realm of production technology, often referred as ‘root technology’ in Korea. Recently, his focus has shifted towards the innovation of traditional manufacturing using digital technologies based on enlarged business models. Currently, he serves as the President of the Korea Foundry Society and has previously held positions as the Representative Professor at UST (University of Science and Technology) KITECH and as the Director of National root technology center.

Nowadays, we are facing a significant industrial paradigm shift, including digital and green transformations, caused by abrupt climate, demographic, and international order changes, but moreover customers’ burst appetite for individualization. These shifts have been caused by doubts for effectiveness of mass production on economy, mainly based on standardization of products for productivity driven by traditional manufacturing philosophy. The current scenario calls for innovation that restructures the overall smile curve of the manufacturing value chain forward upper direction, naturally bringing out autonomous manufacturing for mass customization and servitization. It is suggested that a comprehensive revolution, transitioning from manufacturing to 'valufacturing', is deemed necessary. We welcome a return of the Neo craftsmanship with great energy power and marvelous production system after 260 years since the industrial revolution.