Essential Science and Engineering Human Resources Will Receive Support on National Level

Plans to select and support world-class science and engineering human resources on the government level will be promoted starting next year.

Also, a “research plan value” certificate system will be introduced to rear the Research and Development (R&D) industry, which includes planning, consulting, and valuation of R&D.

During a cabinet meeting presided over by Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan on November 23, the government deliberated and decided on an enforcement ordinance titled, the “Special Law to Support Science and Engineering for National Science and Technology Competitiveness.”

According to the enforcement ordinance, an “essential science and engineering human resource selecting committee” will be established to select and support individuals like Professor Hwang Woo-suk, who has produced prominent achievements in the development of science and technology.

Also, to bring up the R&D service industry, a “research plan value” certificate system will be introduced. Accordingly, the Ministry of Science and Technology plans to prepare the details of the certificate system, including subjects of the certificate examination, and hold its first certificate examination sometime in the second half of next year.

The selection standards and the details of support will be prepared to systemize the research-centered college, which had been promoted without legal basis.

Moreover, the Ministry of Science and Technology has decided to devise “basic plans to raise and support science and engineering human resources” on the national level every five years, and to adjust the basic annual plans of each department.

Also, “science and engineering job agencies” will be established in metropolitan cities, provincial cities, and provinces to help science and engineering workers find employment.

Yong Park parky@donga.com