South Korea and Italy have joined forces to cultivate global scientific talent. The Institute for Basic Science (IBS, President NOH Do Young) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the University of Turin (President Stefano GEUNA) to promote educational and research cooperation. The signing ceremony, attended by President Noh, President Geuna, and Consul General CHOI Tae-ho from the Korean Consulate in Milan, took place on Monday, September 23, at the University of Turin, Italy.

The University of Turin is recognized as a prestigious institution with a strong research background, having produced three Nobel laureates in Physiology or Medicine. Since the Korea-Italy summit in November of last year, IBS has been exploring opportunities for scientific cooperation between the two countries. As a result, IBS has initiated new collaboration programs with the University of Turin and the Italian National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN, Director Antonio ZOCCOLI).

The MOU includes plans to launch a joint global academic-research PhD program aimed at nurturing future talent. IBS and the University of Turin will work together to create a joint PhD program across four fields: physics, neuroscience, chemistry, and mathematics. They plan to select 16 doctoral students, two from each field, through global recruitment efforts. Selected students will receive doctoral training at the University of Turin while gaining research experience at IBS. The program will offer an annual scholarship of approximately €25,000 (about 37 million KRW) provided by the University of Turin. Upon completing the three-year program, students will receive a PhD from the University of Turin and a certificate of research experience from IBS.

The MOU also aims to strengthen international research collaboration in addition to fostering talent. IBS researchers will be invited as visiting professors at the University of Turin, while Turin faculty members will serve as visiting researchers at IBS. The University of Turin has allocated a budget to support visiting professors. Faculty and research staff from both institutions will collaborate on education and top-tier research initiatives.

Following the signing of the MOU, the two institutions will form joint working groups in the four fields to develop detailed program and budget plans. They will begin student recruitment next year.

President Noh remarked, "Since last year’s summit between Korea and Italy, we have been expanding cooperation with world-renowned universities and research institutions in Italy. The timing is perfect for both institutions' needs to align. This partnership will not only train future talent but also encourage active exchanges between researchers and strengthen joint research efforts."

President Geuna expressed optimism, stating, "By leveraging the strengths of both institutions, we will create a new global model for academic and research collaboration. The young researchers nurtured through this partnership will serve as 'honorary ambassadors' for future scientific cooperation."

During this visit to Italy, IBS also aims to strengthen its strategic collaboration with INFN, Italy's leading institution for basic science. The two institutions have been engaging in research exchanges in particle and theoretical physics since signing their first MOU in 2014. This MOU was renewed last November, during a summit attended by the heads of state of both countries.

On September 24, the IBS delegation will visit INFN's world-renowned underground research facility, the Gran Sasso National Laboratory (LNGS), followed by a leadership meeting on September 25 to discuss ongoing strategic research cooperation between the institutions. President Noh and KIM Yeongduk, Director of the IBS Center for Underground Physics, will meet with INFN Director Antonio ZOCCOLI and LNGS Director Ezio PREVITALI to discuss the establishment of an IBS Global Research Center, among other collaborative plans. The delegation will also discuss specific plans for the first joint workshop between IBS and INFN, which will focus on underground experimental facilities such as IBS’s Yemi Lab and LNGS and is scheduled for November this year.

President Noh commented, "Establishing a sustainable framework for collaboration with INFN will amplify the impact of national achievements in basic science."

IBS Public Relations Team
William I. Suh

▲ [Photo 1] IBS signed an MOU for global academic-research cooperation at the University of Turin on September 23.
From left to right: Consul General CHOI Tae-ho, University of Turin President Stefano GEUNA, IBS President NOH Do Young.

▲ [Photo 2] IBS President NOH Do Young, Director Kim Yeongduk of the IBS Center for Underground Physics, and SHIM Si-bo, Head of the Office of Global Relation & Communications at IBS, held discussions on expanding joint research and academic programs with President Stefano GEUNA, Vice President for International Education Marcella COSTA, Vice President for Research Cristina PRANDI, and about 20 other officials from the University of Turin on September 23.