New Year Message from the
President of IBS
2015 will be the Year IBS
Takes its First Great Leap Forward with “IBS 2.0”
My IBS family,
2015, the Year of the
Sheep is upon us.
I would like to thank
you all including our members at IBS research centers for your dedication and
hard work. Though it has been just over 100 days since my inauguration as the
IBS president, I have seen great achievements made possible at IBS all thanks
to the relentless efforts shown by you.
As of the end of 2014,
24 IBS research centers have been launched and now up and running, exploring
the unknown world and making new discoveries. Many IBS research centers have
already been raising their profiles in the world with top research
achievements.
Efforts to construct IBS
research center buildings and a rare isotope accelerator have gained momentum
since the government finalized the construction plan for the central district
of the International Science and Business Belt (ISBB). The ISBB Vision
Declaration, which was held last November reminded us of what IBS stands for
and has been entrusted with as a leader in opening a new chapter in the history
of basic science in Korea.
Though we are relatively
a new research institute, the world is already paying attention to us. A number
of national research institutions and scientific organizations have reached out
to us to develop and strengthen long-term partnerships.
All of these
achievements are a result of your passion and commitment.
IBS family,
For the past three
years, we have been able to lay the foundation for the stable operation of IBS
by making every effort at every level. As we pass the “foundation stage”, it is
time for us to set new resolutions and goals in order to make a great leap
forward.
I would like to use the
term “IBS 2.0” to describe what I envision for the future of IBS. I want to
share with you the new resolutions and goals we will seek to accomplish in
order to make 2015 the year in which we
will first realize the vision of “IBS 2.0”, and in doing so, allow IBS to
evolve into a greater research institute.
Firstly, I will make sure that the construction of
research centers and a rare isotope accelerator, which are needed for IBS to
become a global research institute, goes off smoothly and without a hitch.
The IBS complex will be
built at the center of Daejeon city, the central district of the ISBB with its
working design scheduled for completion by the end of 2015. Its location and
surroundings enable IBS to tap into the city’s infrastructure, promote local
development and attract excellent scientists. I am very confident to say that
when completed, the IBS complex will become a landmark for Korea’s basic
science that the county, as well as Daejeon city may take pride in.
I will also make sure
that the construction of a rare isotope accelerator, which includes the
construction of facilities as well as R&D programs for the construction of
devices, continues to proceed on the right track in order to develop the
infrastructure into the world’s most successful research base.
Second, IBS will enhance national prestige by
delivering top basic research achievements and strive to foster the
next-generation leaders in research.
From the beginning, one
of its missions has been to make new discoveries that will enhance human
welfare as well as to contribute to national development by pursuing creative
and adventurous research in basic science. IBS will continue to maintain
thorough evaluation processes to select top scientists as IBS directors. As IBS
directors will be guaranteed full support and autonomy, they are able to pursue
research that is otherwise not available outside of IBS.
In particular, IBS will
aggressively seek to foster young scientists who will lead the future of basic
science for the country as well as for IBS.
Third, I will ensure that IBS gains the trust of
the scientific community and is recognized as one of its members.
IBS is still not immune
to misunderstanding and controversy over research funds and the selection of
research centers. This challenging time requires us to be ever more responsible
and dedicated to our work and to ensure high-quality research and transparent
research expenditure.
We also need to
communicate more often with researchers outside of IBS and gain the general
understanding of the concrete role that IBS plays in advancing the country’s
basic science. All IBS HQ employees, including myself, will come forward to let
people know what IBS really stands for; I would also like to ask all our
research center members to join in this effort.
Fourth, IBS will be reorganized to provide a
research support system of the highest standard and create an optimal research
atmosphere to ensure research of the highest quality.
IBS HQ will be
restructured with the Division of Research Support at the forefront of IBS HQ
to put more emphasis of its support system on researchers, creating an optimal
research environment that is comparable to other global research institutions.
I would like to ask all
IBS HQ employees to share this mindset: we only can create a better research
environment and enhance the quality of research when the IBS support system is
up to the global standard. You play an important role in this historical
mission, so please take pride in achieving this goal.
Last but not least, IBS will be more open to communication.
I cannot emphasize
enough the importance of communication for us to move forward. Since the
buildings for HQ research centers have not yet been built and campus and
extramural research centers are scattered all over the country, the lack of
communication has been inevitable within IBS, resulting in inefficiency of work
performance and misunderstanding.
To facilitate effective
communication, I will make numerous occasions for us to meet, socialize, and
understand each other. With a better understanding of each other, we will be
more united as one IBS family. It is also my belief that frequent and effective
exchanges will inspire us to be more creative, whether it be support staff or
researchers.
My dear IBS family,
When we work together,
we can achieve far more than we expect.
Let us work hand in hand
this year.
I wish you all the best
and good luck for 2015.
Thank you.
January 2, 2015
Doochul Kim
President of IBS
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