I am Sung-Min Choi, the head of Nuclear and Quantum Engineering department in KAIST from September, 2016. First of all, I want all of students, staffs and faculties in the department to accomplish all the goals set in this year and hope that nuclear and radiological technologies of Korea to contribute to the nation’s future growth. At the beginning of the year, the newsletter format has been changed to report the departmental news twice a year.

First of all, the department attracted two research centers in 2016. Center for Autonomous Small Modular Reactor Research (CASMRR) led by Prof. Yonghee Kim was selected as the Engineering Research Center (ERC) by the National Research Foundation of Korea. The first stage being 4 years and the second stage 3 years, the goal is to derive a concept of the latest Small Modular Reactor (SMR) capable of autonomous operation and to develop its core technologies. This ERC center is expected to lead the development of SMR innovation technology, which enables extreme safety while allowing various applications of environmentally friendly nuclear energy.

Center for radioactive waste multiphase complex interface radiochemistry led by Prof. Jong-Il Yun was selected as the Nuclear Advanced Technology Research Center by the National Research Foundation of Korea and conducting research from November 2016. This research center is expected to lead the development of basic and original technologies relevant to the radioactive waste disposal, and to educate future leading researchers in the field.

Prof. Poong Hyun Seong has been appointed as a member of the Atomic Energy Promotion Committee and he will contribute to the promotion of nuclear power and technologies for the next three years (2017-2019). As the Atomic Energy Promotion Commission is directly under prime minister, the commission reviews and decides important issues concerning utilization of nuclear technologies in Korea. In the past, Kun Jai Lee (2010-2016) and Nam Zin Cho (2003-2006), our emeritus professors, were appointed as members of the commission. Prof. Jong Il Yun has been appointed as a member of Atomic Energy Utilization Development Committee which is affiliated to Atomic Energy Promotion Committee, so he will also play roles for the next two years.

Prof. Kun Jai Lee received Academy Scientific and Technical Award from Korean government. Prof. Kun Jai Lee was appointed to our department in 1983 and served as the president of the Korea Radioactive Waste Society, Vice President of Research in KAIST, and the chairman of the Nuclear Energy Promotion Commission. He thus received this award for his contribution to the nuclear energy industry and science and technology development. The awarding was held at the 6th Nuclear Safety and Promotion Day Ceremony. Congratulations.

Prof. Gyuseong Cho was appointed as the president of Korean Society of Radiation Industry and he will contribute to the advancement of academia and industry on the utilization of radioisotopes and radiation for the next two years (2017-2018). We hope that big advancement in radiation industry and contribution to the nation can be achieved from this appointment

Dr. Won-Pil Baek won the KAIST Alumni of the year 2017. Dr. Won-Pil Baek acquired his Ph. D. in Nuclear Engineering Department (currently, the Dept. Nuclear and Quantum Engineering) in 1991. He is Senior Vice President for R&D program at Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI). Senior vice president Won-Pil Baek won the Alumni of the Year award because he is an alumni recognized by KAIST juniors as the most respected role model through his love for and contribution to domestic and foreign leadership representing Korea’s nuclear safety field.

I deeply appreciate that all of you are always concerning and having affection to our department. I wish your health and happiness in this year.

Sincerely,

Sung-Min Choi

Dean of department of Nuclear and Quantum Engineering, KAIST.