New agreement to strengthen Korean-Canadian research networks

Vancouver, BC — Graduate students in Korea and Canada will soon be able to take part in research exchanges between the two countries. The opportunity comes following the signing of an agreement today between the National Research Foundation (NRF) of Korea and Mitacs, a Canadian not-for-profit research and training organization.

The memorandum of understanding was signed by Cho Moo Je, President of the NRF, and Alejandro Adem, CEO and Scientific Director of Mitacs. It coincides with the signing of the bilateral Canada-Korea Science, Technology and Innovation Agreement in Seoul, Korea between the two governments.

Over the three-year Mitacs-NRF agreement, up to 50 graduate students from each country will undertake 16- to 24-week research internships with local researchers in the other country.

Students will develop business-ready skills and cultural fluency to prepare for their careers by developing their research acumen in new environments. The researchers will benefit from increased international connections that enhance global knowledge networks and help promote bilateral trade.

Quotes:

Alejandro Adem, CEO and Scientific Director, Mitacs
“We are pleased to enter this partnership with Korea, a nation known for its technological and research advances. Students from Canada and Korea will benefit from opportunities to take part in these research exchanges, thereby strengthening the foundation of our knowledge economies for the future.”

Cho Moo Je, President, National Research Foundation of Korea
“We are delighted with signing the MOU between Mitacs and NRF on the exchanges of graduate students between Korea and Canada. I firmly believe that this new joint program will play a flagship role for furthering science and engineering cooperation between the two countries.”

Quick facts about Mitacs:

• Within Canada, Mitacs has worked with 60 universities, over 6,000 companies, and federal and provincial governments, building partnerships that support industrial and social innovation.
• To further strengthen international research collaborations, Mitacs Globalink now offers two-way student mobility opportunities between Canada and partner countries —Brazil, China, France, Germany, Israel, India, Japan, Mexico, Norway, Saudi Arabia, and Tunisia.
• Mitacs acknowledges the Korean National Research Foundation, Government of Canada, along with the Government of Alberta, the Government of British Columbia, Research Manitoba, and the Government of Quebec for their support.

Quick facts about the National Research Foundation of Korea:

• The NRF is a research and training funding agency of the Republic of Korea, creating future-oriented knowledge and fostering next-generation researchers.
• The NRF aims to become a world-leading research funding agency by promoting knowledge creation, innovative research, and the establishment of a global research environment through its multidisciplinary core programs.
• The NRF responsible for the overall planning of research in all academic disciplines.

Learn more:

• For information about Mitacs’ programs, see mitacs.ca/newsroom.
• For information about the NRF visit http://www.nrf.re.kr/nrf_eng_cms/.

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