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.

 

Signe Ratso is Deputy Director-General and a member of the Management Board of the Directorate-General for Research and Innovation of the European Commission. She is responsible for Innovation, Prosperity and International Cooperation Directorates and she is Chief negotiator for association policy on Horizon Europe. She has taken up the direct lead for International cooperation with Europe, Americas and thematic coherence as well as Asia, Africa, Middle East & External Relations. She oversees some of the priority areas of the Commission in DG R&I such as the Human Frontier Science Program. Before joining DG R&I in 2018 she worked in different senior management positions in DG TRADE since 2006. Signe Ratso has always been involved in international affairs. Before joining the Commission she worked as Deputy Secretary General (from 1994 to 2005) at the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications of the Republic of Estonia. She has two University degrees from Tartu University in Estonia.

 

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.