The 5th IBS Directors Council Meeting was held on May 27 at IBS HQ in Daejeon. The meeting serves as a forum for IBS directors to discuss key matters pertaining to the operation and research programs of Centers, as well as to share important issues that take place at each Center.

Participants of the meeting included IBS President KIM Doo-Chul, directors, relevant division and team heads and two guests from the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning (MSIP): LEE Jin-Kyu, Director-General of R&D Policy Bureau and CHOI Mi-Jung, Director of IBS Promotion Team. The participating players dealt with various issues, including the follow-up measures after the 4th Meeting, overhauling research security management systems, the 2017 IBS Conferences, establishing a Global Help Desk, triennial reviews and other relevant issues relating to the general operation of Centers.

At the opening, President KIM brought up main issues raised at the last meeting, including the charging and managing of user fees for research facilities & equipment at Centers, openings for Technical Research Personnel (TRP) and improving the subsidy system for host institutions. Heads of relevant teams explained what measures have been taken or are to be taken to address such issues, including the completion of the IBS Research Equipment Information System (IRIS) building, a plan to assess Centers’ need for TRP and progress of the consultations to revise agreements between the host institutions of Campus Centers and IBS. MSIP Director CHOI said that the ministry was considering measures to ease the regulations on the reviews of Center-developed equipment and research program overlaps and reduce administrative burden on Centers.

After a brief break, MISP’s Director-General LEE opened the session on basic science research, saying, “It is important to build national consensus on the necessity of basic research in Korea.” IBS directors looked back through the five-year history of IBS where the institute has strived to create the best research environment under the vision “Making Discoveries for Humanity and Society”. They also agreed that investment in basic research, which befits Korea’s national status, should be made to generate outstanding research outcomes so that the public can understand the importance of basic research.

In closing, the president relayed news that the construction of the new IBS HQ will begin on June 2 with a ground-breaking ceremony held on June 30. He said, “The construction of the new HQ is the first step for IBS to become a hub of basic science in Korea.”

The meeting was held at IBS HQ with active participation of administrative staff. With the gradual implementation of follow-up measures, the administrative systems of HQ and Centers are expected to be more effective and efficient. The 6th Directors Council Meeting is scheduled to take place from August 25 to 26.