Belarus and Korea intend to pick out five R&D projects in bioengineering, nanotechnologys, new materials, nuclear physics and optics and launch them in 2013. According to preliminary arrangements, Belarus and Korea will provide up to $20,000 and $30,000 respectively for each project.
Korea’s average financing of Belarus’ R&D projects totals $0.5 million per year. Over $200,000 is channeled into the projects of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus. Approximately the same amount is allocated for the Education Ministry projects. Belarus and Korea have already implemented joint projects on machine building, instrument making, metalwork, advanced materials and optics. “The Republic of Korea is a technologically advanced country and is very good at commercialization of projects. Korea takes great interest in our fundamental research,” Alexander Zhigulich said.
According to Director General of the International Cooperation Bureau of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology of Korea Youmi Suh, the session is set to discuss cooperation in promising scientific areas and a double-degree program between the Korea Institute for Science and Technologies and the Belarusian National Technical University. Belarus and Korea intend to continue joint research and student exchange.
The first session of the group for science and technology will be held as part of the Belarus-Korea forum “Innovations in Science and Technologies” on 25 June. The event is dedicated to the 20th anniversary of Belarus-Korea diplomatic relations. The parties are set to discuss the state of Belarus-Korea cooperation in science and technologies, the future of Belarus-Korea Center for Cooperation in Education and joint draft plan for scientific and technical cooperation. It is also planned to sign an annex to the memorandum of understanding in science and technologies between the SCST and the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology of Korea.
