SKorean team discusses joint projects with local scientists

Group will meet Minister Majadle and visit the Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Aircraft Industries and optics firm El-Op.

By JUDY SIEGEL-ITZKOVICH
test tube 88 (photo credit: )
test tube 88
(photo credit: )
A 14-member delegation has arrived from South Korea - one of the world's growing economic powers - to meet leading Israeli scientists and sign an agreement for the continuation of research cooperation with Israel through 2009. The group, headed by Korean Science Minister Kim Woo-Sik, will meet with Science, Culture and Sport Minister Ghaleb Majadle and visit the Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Aircraft Industries and optics firm El-Op. Since scientific cooperation between Israel and South Korea was first established in 1994, 35 joint projects have been carried out in the fields of computerized vision, overcoming cultural differences, nanotechnology and life sciences, among others. In addition, eight scientific conferences have been held. Each side has invested $200,000 a year in the research, but this was expanded in 2005 to $300,000. Two previous Israeli science ministers have visited Korea over the years, while two previous scientific delegations from Korea have come here since 2003. According to the Science and Technology Ministry, the two main fields in which joint research will be carried out during the next two years are information technology and nano and advanced materials. Thanks to a new program that will be launched next month, young Korean scientists up to the age of 35 will be coming here for doctoral and post-doctoral research in biotechnology and space and information technology. An exchange program sending young Israeli researchers to Korea will also be organized.