2023 Korea Conference of Women in Science & Technology jointly hosted by 5 women’s science and technology institutes and organizations
Featured a vision declaration and an award ceremony for six categories, including the Woman Scientist/Engineer of the Year Award
The Ministry of Science and ICT (Minister Lee Jong Ho, hereinafter referred to as "MSIT") hosted the "2023 Korea Conference of Women in Science & Technology (hereinafter referred to as "KCWST")," a platform for solidarity and communication among female scientists and engineers, on November 23rd (Thu.) 14:30 PM, at the Korea Science and Technology Center.
In celebration of the anniversaries for several relevant organizations*, MSIT decided to integrate the separate annual events dedicated to women in science and technology into one comprehensive event for the first time this year. As such, 2023 KCWST featured a vision declaration, an award ceremony for honoring outstanding women in science and technology and committed organizations, and promoting exemplary cases with the aim of enhancing the status of women in the field of science and technology.
* The 10th anniversary of the Korea Foundation for Women In Science, Engineering and Technology (WISET), 20th anniversary of the Korean Foundation of Women's Science & Technology Associations (KOFWST), 30th anniversary of the Association of Korean Woman Scientists & Engineers (KWSE)
A total of 300 scientists and engineers from the industry, academy, and research institutes, and key figures from the government and women's science and technology organizations attended the event. Namely, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and MSIT 1st Vice Minister Cho Seong-Kyung were present, as well as other officials from WISET, KWSE, KOFWST, Korea Center for Gendered Innovation for Science and Technology Research (GISTER), and Women in Science, Engineering and Technology in Korea (WITECH).
This year's event, held under the theme of "The Future of Korea, Led by Women in Science and Technology," reflected upon the contributions made by women to the advancement of science and technology, and shed light on the role of female scientists and engineers for national development and scientific and technological progress.
2023 KCWST proceeded in the order of commemorative ceremonies for the anniversaries of each organization, a vision declaration ceremony for women in science and technology, and an award ceremony for 18 awards and commendations from the Minister of Science and ICT. The event also included various activities, such as keynote lectures, symposiums, panel discussions, and a job festival.
In the vision declaration, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, the hosting organizations and their heads, male and female scientists and engineers, international women in science, and high school students took part. Together, they declared that women in science and technology play a pivotal role in shaping a sustainable future for Korea, along with five vision statements*.
* Culture of diversity and inclusivity, commitment to nurturing the next generation of women scientists and engineers, innovation of R&D ecosystem including gendered innovation, strengthening global leadership, and contribution to national competitiveness
In the subsequent lectures, President Lee Yong Hoon of Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) delivered a presentation titled "Immersive research environment for science and technology in universities," and Professor Lee Jin Hyung at Stanford University in the United States delivered the presentation "Creating a brain’s digital twin: Perspectives from a female scientist." The lecturers discussed ways to create environments that allow scientists and engineers to better concentrate on their research, and emphasized the spirit for pursuing challenges and solutions to drive scientific and technological innovation.
The symposiums that followed were prepared by each organization on four themes: next-generation leaders, future technologies, policies for women in science and technology, and inclusivity in research. Participants were allowed to choose and attend sessions based on their specific interests, attracting greater engagement from the audience.
Additionally, a sideline event called the JOB Festival took place, in which 14 government-funded research institutes and businesses* participated to support career mentoring and job counseling, providing a valuable guidance for a number of female participants who wish to work in STEM.
* Participating institutes and businesses: University of Science and Technology (UST), Korea Basic Science Institute (KBSI), Korea Institute of Industrial Technology (KITECH), UNIST, Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information (KISTI), Science and Technology Policy Institute (STEPI), Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI), Agency for Defense Development (ADD), Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI), Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), General Motors (GM), Darae Strategy & Business, Thermo Fisher Scientific Korea, POSCO
"2023 Korea Conference of Women in Science and Technology" concluded with a panel discussion, held to gather opinions on the establishment of the "5th Master Plan for Fostering and Supporting Women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)." MSIT plans to incorporate what was discussed in this event to the formulation of the Master Plan.
For further information, please contact the Public Relations Division (Phone: +82-44-202-4034, E-mail: msitmedia@korea.kr) of the Ministry of Science and ICT.
please refer to the attached PDF.