The Institute for Basic Science (IBS, President NOH Do Young) and the Max Planck Society (MPG, President Patrick CRAMER) of Germany signed a revised Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the 11th (Thursday) to promote international collaboration in basic science between the two institutions.

IBS and MPG have worked together consistently ever since establishing a collaborative framework by signing the MOU in 2015 ('15.9.21.). The additional MOU includes provisions for the establishment of an IBS-Max Planck Center and the development of educational cooperation programs.

In particular, the Max Planck Society and IBS agreed to establish a hub for joint research in the field of nanomedicine and to establish an IBS-Max Planck Center in Korea.

The Max Planck Centers are institutes established by the Max Planck Society for collaborative research with overseas institutions. MPG currently operates 17 such centers in 9 countries. As of now, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences in Japan is the only Max Planck Center in Asia.

In addition, the IBS Center for Nanomedicine also signed an MOU with the MPI for Medical Research to promote international research cooperation in nanomedicine. The two organizations signed an MOU last May and have embarked on establishing a long-term cooperation framework, including the creation of a Global Joint Research Hub.

IBS Director NOH Do Young said, "IBS and MPG, which are representive basic science institutes in both countries, will discuss strategic cooperation areas including quantum information science and jointly nurture young researchers."

President Cramer said, "The Max Planck Society in Germany is a world-renowned organization for basic science research, producing 39 Nobel laureates to date," adding, "We are pleased to collaborate with IBS and Yonsei University, which are also engaged in basic science research."

He also mentioned that Korea was chosen as a cooperation partner because it is currently the most dynamic country in scientific research and “invests the most in science and technology, making it the most innovative country.”

On the same day (11th), IBS, MPG, and Yonsei University (President YOON Dong-Sup) jointly held the 'Global Science Leaders Forum'.

The forum was held to enhance strategic international cooperation among the three institutes and to launch joint research systems such as the establishment of the IBS-Max Planck Center.

The forum was attended by Patrick CRAMER, President of MPG, Christian DOELLER, Vice President of MPG, and Joachim SPATZ, Director of the Max Planck Institute (MPI) for Medical Research, among others. This visit to Korea is the first since President Cramer took office on June 23.

About 20 representatives from Korea attended, including IBS President NOH Do Young, Yonsei University President YOON Dong-Sup, Director CHEON Jinwoo, of the IBS Center for Nanomedicine, and Vice Minister LEE Chang-yoon of the Ministry of Science and ICT.

IBS Public Relations Team
William I. Suh