The Ministry of Environment (Minister Kim Wansup) announced that it will sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on February 17 at the National Institute of Chemical Safety (NICS, located in Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju) with the NICS, the Korea Environmental Conservation Institute (KECI), and seven specialized graduate schools to strengthen the training of experts in chemical substance safety management.

* △ Hazardous testing field (Daegu Catholic University, University of Seoul, Hoseo University), △ Risk and hazard assessment management field (Gyungsang National University, Seokyeong University), △ Handling facility safety management field (Chonnam National University, Korea National University of Transportation)

This MOU was established to enhance the practical capabilities of specialized graduate schools in chemical substance safety management and to strengthen employment connections. 

Since 2015, the Ministry has been promoting the “Specialized Graduate School for Chemical Substance Safety Management” program in response to institutional changes to strengthen chemical substance safety management, including the enforcement of the three chemical laws*.  

* Act on Registration and Evaluation of Chemical Substances, Chemical Substances Control Act, Consumer Chemical Products and Biocides Safety Control Act

So far, the seven specialized graduate schools, including the University of Seoul, have established an advanced convergence education system that integrates the three chemical laws and big data training for graduate students, nurturing professionals in chemical substance safety management with diverse competencies needed by the industry. 

Following this MOU, the Ministry will support administrative, institutional, and financial matters related to the training of specialized personnel. 

The NICS actively helps students engage in field internships, including managing and operating training programs for interns. The KECI conducts various training programs to select interns and enhance the practical skills of master’s and doctoral level professionals. The seven specialized graduate schools recommend field-specific talent and provide training expenses.  

Meanwhile, the Ministry and the NICS plan to hold an annual evaluation of universities and a seminar on the development of specialized graduate schools for two days starting February 17. They also plan to operate a field tour of the internal facilities of the NICS for master’s and doctoral program professionals. In addition, they will provide guidance on the current status of chemical substance management and safety systems for students of specialized graduate schools, and offer practical capacity-building and employment support programs to help them gain field experience.

Park Yeon-jae, Director General of the Environmental Health Bureau, stated, “Chemical substance safety management is crucial as it protects the environment while simultaneously driving the development of businesses.” He added, “We will do our utmost to support each specialized graduate school in nurturing experts in chemical substance safety management by comprehensively considering the latest domestic and international systems and policies, social conditions, and cutting-edge scientific technologies.”

For further information, please contact the Public Relations Division. 

Contact person: Gina Lee, foreign media spokesperson

Phone: +82-44-201-6055

Email: gcjgina @gmail.com