A group of professors from the Khalifa of Science, Technology and Research (KUSTAR) of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) including Prof. K. Mubarak visited the Republic of Korea Ocean Research and Development Institute (KORDI; President KANG Jung-keuk) on January 29, 2011.

The aim of the visit was to survey Republic of Korea’s state-of-the art marine technologies for possible introduction in the UAE.

On the same day, the visitors looked around the research facilities of the Republic of Korea Ocean Satellite Center (KOSK), which operates Cheollian, the world’s first geostationary-orbit marine observation satellite, and listened to an explanation on how the satellite had been developed and how the country plans to use the satellite in the future. The professors demonstrated great interest in Republic of Korea’s cutting-edge marine science and technology and proposed the holding of separate discussions to find specific ways to engage in cooperation.

President KANG Jung-keuk of KORDI said, “I hope this visit paves the way for broader cooperation in science and technology between the two countries.”

One of the visiting professors was Prof. YUN Chan-hyeop, the first and only Korean professor to teach at any college in the Middle East. He is the leader of the Republic of Korea-UAE economic cooperation team and has played a crucial role in Republic of Korea’s export of nuclear plants. He also heads up the education and training of KUSTAR students in the area.

The UAE founded KUSTAR in 2007 as a research-oriented university to produce top-notch R&D resources who will lead the development of the country in the future.

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