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Professor Cho Gyeong-hyeon's research team scientifically explains 'dangers of trans fat' Published in international academic journal in the top 3% in the nutritional biochemistry and molecular nutritional science fields Expected to be used as basic data to establish food safety management standards and recommended daily consumption standards [June 18, 2014] "Exactly how and where is trans fat harmful?" The School of Biotechnology's Professor Cho Gyeong-hyeon research team found clues on the harms of trans fat, which was just vaguely known to be harmful. Professor Cho's team proved that trans fat lowers the function of high density lipoproteins (HDL) causing cell toxicity and blood vessel toxicity. HDL, which is known to be the 'blood vessel cleaner' that removes wastes piled inside the vessels, was found to be transformed by trans fat and due to this, HDL is unable to perform its functions. Trans fat is a solid fat made by adding hydrogen to unsaturated fatty acid in the liquid state. It is easy to store and improves tastes, and is thus used for long-term preserved foods and instant foods. They are commonly used in fried processed foods such as cookies, doughnuts, chicken and popcorn. Excessive consumption can lead to diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, breast cancer and colon cancer, and can increase risk of deformities. However, the exact cause of disease and the reason for its toxicities have not yet been revealed. The research team used zebra fish (carp that has similar genetic structures with humans and lays hundreds of eggs making it suitable for mass genetic function research and for verification of new drugs and toxicities) to discover that trans fat transforms serum HDL (high density lipid). Moreover, the research team found in zebra fish that consumed trans fat for 20 weeks that consumption of trans fat worsened fatty liver and liver inflammation, while also causing skin cell aging, embryo poisoning and developmental disabilities. Professor Cho Gyeong-hyeon explained the reason for research saying, "We started this research thinking that it is important to reveal exactly how trans fat is harmful since many people enjoy eating trans fat despite knowing that it is unhealthy," and added, "The achievement of this study is that it revealed that trans fat causes not only cardiovascular poisoning, but is also toxic for skin, embryo and fatty liver." He also stated, "We hope that the results of this study will be used as basic data to provide food safety management standards or daily recommended amounts by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety." This research, which was carried out with the support of the BK21 Plus Project and general researcher support project hosted by the Ministry of Environment and the senior researcher support project pursued by the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning, was published in the May 26 online issue of <Molecular Nutrition & Food Research (IF; impact factor 4.310), an international academic journal in the top 3% in the nutrition biochemistry and molecular nutrition field. The primary author of this research paper was researcher Park Gi-hoon (25), who was in the first batch of students of the YU School of Biotechnology and currently enrolled in a combined master's and PhD course, while Professor Cho participated as a corresponding author. Earlier, Professor Cho's research team became the first in the world to explain that smoking promotes skin aging. The research team published in the May 2014 issue of <Toxicological Science (IF 4.328)>, an international academic journal on toxicology, that the high density lipids (HDL) transformation of young smokers was similar to the transformation in serum of senior citizens in their 70s, thus scientifically proving that such HDL transformation promotes skin cell aging.
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Professor Lee Mun-yong's research team was recognized for their energy efficiency innovation technology at the 'EU-Russia Innovation Forum', being awarded consecutively at world prominent process design contests since 2013 [April 18, 2014] <School of Chemical Engineering Lee Moon-yong (left) and Harvianto currently in PhD program> YU Graduate School of Chemical Engineering Professor Lee Moon-yong (54) and his research team once again made the astonishing feat of announcing his research capacities to the world. The YU Graduate School of Chemical Engineering Process System Design and Control Research Team (advisor Lee Moon-yong) was awarded at the '2014 Green Innovation Contest' hosted by the 'EU-Russian Innovation Forum'. The '2014 Green Innovation Contest' accepted innovative ideas and technologies from around the world in the energy efficiency, clean technologies and green smart city sectors for green growth. They select the top five teams in recognition of their technological superiority for awards. This event, which was held under the theme 'Sustainable Green Growth Economy', was joined by a total of 38 teams from companies, universities and research centers and competed fiercely. In result, Professor Lee's research team was selected as a winning team with 'Industrial energy efficiency improvement technologies through advanced vapor technologies' and was invited to the '4th EU-Russia Innovation Forum' held in Lappeenranta, Finland that was held from the 4th to the 6th. Professor Lee's team was represented by Gregorius Rionugroho Harvianto (23, 1st term in PhD program) originally from Indonesia who is in his doctorates program at YU to present the research team's energy efficiency innovation technology and receive the award. Meanwhile, the YU Graduate School of Chemical Engineering and the Process System Design and Control Research Lab were awarded for the second consecutive year in world-acclaimed process design contests, thus being globally recognized for their research capacities in the process sector. At the 'Huntsman Design Contest' held as part of the '9th European Congress of Chemical Engineering' at the Hague, in the Netherlands held in April, Yus Donarld CHANIAGO (33, received PhD) and Riezqa ANDIKA (24, 4th term in combined master's PhD program) of this research lab won the bronze medal. At the 'Asia-Pacific UnISim Design Contest' hosted by Honeywell in August, Khan Mohd Shariq (29, PhD) won first place.
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14 Member Group including Vice Prime Minister of Cambodia and Vice Ministers of major ministries visit YU YU visualizes achievements in fostering leaders and social contribution activities for global joint prosperity [June 17, 2014] The Cambodian government visited YU. They came to learn about the Saemaul Undong and Saemaul spirit that provided the cornerstone for the astonishing development of Korea. In the morning of the 16th, YU (President Noh Seok-kyun) greeted a 14 member group composed of Cambodian vice prime minister and chairman of the agricultural/rural development committee Yim Chhayly (64), and vice ministers of major government ministries of Cambodia such as the rural development ministry, education ministry, and public projects and transportation ministry. Vice Prime Minister Yim Chhayly said, "We came to YU to learn the Saemaul Undong that made Korea's miraculous economic growth possible," and added, "We ask that YU passes on the academic knowledge and experience of the Saemaul Undong and Saemaul spirit to Cambodia." YU responded by saying, "YU has played a pioneering role in the academic positioning of the Saemaul Undong," while adding, "We will do our best to integrate the Saemaul Undong to the cultures and environments of Cambodia to help with their development." Following this at the 3rd floor main conference room of YU, YU International Development Center Director Choi Oe Chool held a special lecture on 'Korea's Saemaul Undong Experience and Implications'. At the special lecture, Choi said, "The success of the Saemaul Undong lies with the political philosophy of leaders, national consensus, and consistent policies," while emphasizing, "Taking this into consideration, the roles of those who are visiting YU today are very crucial." After the special lecture, Vice Prime Minister Yim passed on a special message by Prime Minister Hun Sen. It was a request to provide advice for the establishment and operation of the 'Saemaul College' (tentative name) that the Cambodian government is pursuing and to make a visit to Cambodia in the near future. Director Choi visited Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen in January and discussed cooperation plans for the localization of the Saemaul Undong and Saemaul spirit. Director Choi and Prime Minister Hun Sen agreed that it is important for leaders and the people to share political philosophies for the success of the Saemaul Undong and agreed to have YU and the Cambodian government continuously cooperate so that the Cambodia-customized Saemaul Undong can take root not only in the government, but private sectors as well. Following the special lecture, the Cambodian delegation held a meeting with foreign students studying Saemaul at the YU Park Chung Hee School of Policy and Saemaul (hereinafter called 'Saemaul School') and shared opinions about the localization of the Saemaul Undong. At this meeting, two students from Cambodia studying at the Saemaul School attended to hold in-depth discussions with their vice prime-minister's delegation. Pheap Chakriya (28), who studied computer engineering at Phnom Penh University and worked as a manager at an agricultural and rural development company in Cambodia from 2010 to 2013 and entered the YU Saemaul School master's degree program (major in public policy and leadership), said, "I'm very happy to see key figures from my home's government visiting YU showing interest in the Saemaul Undong especially since I am an international student learning Saemaul in Korea," and added, "Since government figures of Cambodia are interested and are willing to take part in the Saemaul Undong, I hope to go back home and take what I learn from YU and integrate it in my work to start the Saemaul Undong in Cambodia." Meanwhile, in June of last year, YU was selected as an international cooperation leading university and will receive 1.6 billion won over the next four years in national funding to export the Saemaul Undong and Saemaul science overseas. From April of this year, they were selected for the master's degree program operating institute for the 'leader and faculty fostering project for regional development of emerging countries' from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA). Thus, YU will receive a total of 3.6 billion won for the next three years and educate 36 public officials, workers and faculty of emerging countries every year (108 over 3 years) as they play a leading role in fostering global leaders and social contribution activities for global co-prosperity.
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Professor Cho Gyeong-hyeon’s research team(School of Biotechnology) presents scientific evidence on 'Skin Aging accelerated by Smoking' for the first time in the world. The team finds out that blood proteins of smoker in 20s are distorted and shrunken like ones in their 70s. The research thesis is published in international academic journal ranked top 9% in the field of toxicological sciences. [Jun 11, 2014] <School of Biotechnology Professor Cho Gyeong-hyeon (right) and Researcher Park Gi-hoon> “Is it really true that smokers age faster than non-smokers? Why do smokers look older?" The scientific answer on this was revealed for the first time by a research team at a Korean university. School of Biotechnology Professor Cho Gyeong-hyeon (45) (BK21 Plus Blood Serum Bio Medical Project Team Director) and his research team announced their research results that scientifically proved that transformation of high density lipoprotein (HDL) of smokers progressed similar to that which occur in the blood serum of the elderly in their 70s, and thus such HDL transformation accelerated aging of skin cells. Such research results were published in the May 2014 issue of the international academic journal <Toxicological Sciences> (impact factor (IF) 4.328), which is in the top 9% in the toxicology field. Furthermore, the 'smoking assessment method using lipoprotein' to identify smokers and the amount of smoking developed during the course of this study was applied for a patent in August of last year. <Old cell dyed in green (photo on right)> Professor Cho's research team that conducted this study for two years as part of the YU school fund support project made comparative analyses on the blood serum proteins of smokers and non-smokers in their 20s to scientifically explain the correlation of smoking and skin aging. Upon making tests on 20 smokers of the age of 24 who smoked less than 10 cigarettes a day for at least three years and 20 non-smokers of the same age, it was found that there was considerably higher oxidation and saccharification in all lipoproteins of smokers. In particular, despite the smokers being in their early 20s, there was a large decrease in HDL, which maintains youth and health in blood serum protein, while the size of cholesterol within the HDL also decreased considerably. Furthermore, it was discovered that a core protein (apoA-I protein) that makes up HDL was broken and transformed. Such transformation was found to be at similar levels as that of the blood serum of senior citizens in their 70s. In order to examine the effects of the HDL transformation within the blood serum of smokers on the skin cells of people, the research team treated the skin fiber cell with concentrations equal to the oxidation and saccharification that occurs in the lipoproteins of smokers. In result, it was confirmed that the HDL of smokers accelerated skin cell aging. In addition, because the transformed HDL due to smoking lost its true functions, the research team found that there was higher potential for vascular metabolism diseases such as atherosclerosis and diabetes. <HDL of smokers (right) and non-smokers observed through an electron microscope> On such research results, Professor Cho Gyeong-hyeon said, "Not only for the so-called 'chain smokers', but by smoking just ten cigarettes a day for three years, this shows that transformation of blood serum proteins like that of an elderly in their 70s occurs," and added, "This shows that smoking even a small amount can increase risks of vascular metabolism diseases such as diabetes, Alzheimer's and myocardial infarction, in addition to the promoting of skin aging. We are also planning to conduct research on damages to second-hand smokers." Meanwhile, the primary author of this paper is researcher Park Gi-hoon (25), one of the first students of the YU School of Biotechnology, who is currently in a combined master's and PhD program (7th). When he was a senior as an undergraduate in December 2008, he made news by publishing a thesis as the primary author in an SCI-level international academic journal and accrued expertise through the undergraduate and graduate school programs at the YU School of Biotechnology for the past decade. His advisor, Professor Cho Gyeong-hyeon said, "I would like to thank Gi-hoon and the other researchers who proved that the location you are in cannot hold you back."
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Professor Baek Sung-ok receives 'Red Stripe Order of Merit' for contributions in development air environment management. Professoor Park Sun-joo receives 'Presidential Citation' for merit in contributing to biodiversity and environmental preservation. [Jun 2, 2014] <Professor Baek Sung-ok (left) and Park Sun-joo (right) who were awarded the Red Stripe Order of Service Merit and the Presidential Citation on the 19th Environment Day> Professor Baek Sung-ok (58) of the Department of Environmental Engineering and Professor Park Sun-joo (47) of the Department of Life Sciences received the Red Stripe Order of Service Merit and the Presidential Citation, respectively, on the 19th Environment Day (June 5). First, Professor Baek Sung-ok received the Red Stripe Order of Service Merit for his contributions to the development of the air environment management sector. Professor Baek also displayed leading research performance in the 'measurement technology development and management plans of specific air pollutants' in the air environment management sector. In addition, he also contributed greatly in the development of this sector by carrying out research, providing technical consulting, and policy screening for relevant environmental institutes such as the Ministry of Environment and the National Institute of Environmental Research. Specific air pollutants have high diversity and include particles with high potential toxicity even in small amounts. There are many particles without accurate measurement methods and they are known to be pollutants that are difficult to manage not only in Korea, but also other advanced countries. Professor Baek conducted many studies related to the measurement of 'volatile organic compounds' and 'polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons' that are recently of high issue and published over 120 papers in domestic and foreign academic journals. In particular, the 'Absorption Sampling and Thermal Desorption with GC Analysis' method that is the most commonly used VOC measurement technique was first introduced in Korea in 1995 by Professor Baek. This provided the technical basis for the Ministry of Environment's 'Fair Testing Method to Measure VOCs among Atmospheric Environment and Indoor Environments' and contributed in the activation of relevant studies. In addition to academic and research activities, Professor Baek was involved as an outside expert in various committees of the Ministry of Environment, National Institute of Environmental Research, National Institute of Environmental Human Resources Development, and the Environmental Management Corporation and was recognized for his contributions in the policy development and personnel development in the Korean atmospheric environment sector and won the Minister of Environment Award in 2011. Professor Baek served as the chairperson of the Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment for two years from 2012 and is currently serving as the Climate/Atmospheric Subdivision Chairperson for the Fifth Central Environmental Policy Committee of the Ministry of Environment. He was also appointed as a regular member of the Korean Academy of Environment Science in March. Meanwhile, Professor Park Sun-joo was awarded the Presidential Citation for his contributions to biodiversity and environmental preservation. Professor Park published 130 theses and made academic presentation on his research of the ecology and genetic resources of Dokdo and studies on the dielectrics of plants in Dokdo, as well as basic studies on national natural environments supervised by the National Institute of Environmental Research, studies on the setting and biota study of the Unmunsan Eco Scenic Preservation Region, major biota phylogenetic tree studies in the Korean Peninsula by the National Institute of Biological Resources, foreign bio-resource study, and research project for finding wildlife, showing outstanding research performance in the ecology and genetic research sector. In particular, Professor Park has been conducting unparalleled research in the ecology and dielectrics of Dokdo such as the 'Study for Establishing Sovereignty over Dokdo from the Perspective of Ecology' from ten years ago. In April 2009, he revealed that the Dokdo Aster sphathulifolius Maxim was spread to Japan and one year later, he registered the base sequence of Aster sphathulifolius Maxim in the World Gene Bank to contribute in receiving international recognition as a wildlife of Dokdo. Furthermore, he played a leading role in Dokdo ecosystem research by completing the cholorplast genome map of Dokdo Aster sphathulifolius Maxim in 2011, and is currently engaged in active research on Dokdo at the Ministry of Environment (Daegu Provincial Office of Environment) and the National Research Foundation. Professor Park's research lab cultivated winners of the Minister of Environment Award for three consecutive years since 2010 and the research team was recognized for its excellence. In 2010, Professor Park cut the tape by winning the Minister of Environment Award, followed by Song Im-geun (earned PhD in Feburary 2012) in 2011, and Park Sung-joon (earned PhD in August 2012) in 2012.
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YU International Development Cooperation Center holds workshop on 'International Development Cooperation Status and Tasks'. Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director Oh Young-joo and Dr. Park Soo-young of KOICA give special lectures. [May 29, 2014] YU (President Noh Seok-kyun) held a workshop to share the policy issues and visions of the international development cooperation projects at the YU Cheonma Art Center Sapphire Hall at 2 p.m. on the 28th. This workshop, which was hosted by the YU International Development Cooperation Center (Director Choi Oe Chool), was held to search for and share directions for international development and social development that can contribute the global community from the university level. The YU International Development Cooperation Center holds workshops regularly to search for ways to develop international development projects and to find solutions to mutual tasks for the international community. At this workshop, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Development and Cooperation Bureau Director Oh Young-joo, Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) Rural Development Team Director Park Soo-young, and other experts in international development and cooperation were invited as speakers. First, Director Oh Young-joo spoke about Korea's ODA (official development assistance) history, scope of ODA and countries subject to support, ODA project types, and direction of major free aid policies, development and cooperation paradigm shifts of the international community, development and cooperation projects to become an exemplary global ODA contributing nation, and measures to respond to and lead key global agendas related to development and cooperation under the topic of 'current status and projects for international development and cooperation'. Director Oh said, "It is necessary to foster international development and cooperation project planning and execution experts through the cooperation of civil organization and educational institutes with capacities in the field of development and cooperation like that of YU," and added, "It is important to search for integrative utilization plans of civil development strategies to pursue ODA projects efficiently and to implement diverse and effective ODA policies." Following this, under the title 'KOICA farming and rural development sector project management', Director Park Soo-young spoke about the ODA international community trends, project strategies and planning, and project management for the agricultural sector, while introducing the major cooperative projects of KOICA. Director Choi Oe Chool, who made preparations for this workshop, said, "Since establishing the Basic Act on International Development and Cooperation in 2010, Korea has been making efforts to overcome common international issues such as the poverty and disease problems of emerging countries." He added, "our university will also share the achievements of the Saemaul Undong and the development of Korea, which was unprecedented in the world, with emerging countries and continuously strive to contribute to global co-prosperity and development by expanding the number of countries to which our experiences will be shared with." Meanwhile, in order to foster global Saemual leaders in emerging countries, YU established the Park Chung Hee School of Policy and Saemaul in 2011 and was selected in June 2013 as an 'international cooperation leading university'. In July of 2013, YU established the international development and cooperation center and signed MOUS with government institutes, local autonomies, international organizations and NGSs including KOICA, KOTRA, Korea Forest Service, Rural Development Administration, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Gyeongsangnam-do, UNESCO, Asia Forest Cooperation Organization, Korea Research Institute for Human Settlements, Korea Environment Corporation, and the Korea Rural Economic Institute as a hub university for international development cooperation projects. It also signed partnership agreements with nine national universities in seven Southeast Asian countries including Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines and is actively pursuing various international development and cooperation projects.
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YU Saemaul Research Center and Cheongdo Education Support Office sign educational MOU for 'Fostering and Exercising Saemaul Spirit' at schools. They will cooperate for exercising 'Saemaul Spirit 2.0' of diligence, self-help, cooperation, sharing, volunteering and creativity for teens. [May 27, 2014] YU (President Noh Seok-kyun) will lead education on communal spirits and characters by cultivating the Saemaul spirit in children and youths. At 2 p.m. on the 27th at the YU main conference room, the YU Saemaul Research Center (Director Choi Oe Chool) signed a joint operation MOU for education programs for the cultivation and exercising of the Saemaul spirit for children and teens together with the Cheongdo Education Support Office (Director Ham In-ho). With the signing of this MOU, the two institutes agreed to develop Saemaul spirit exercise programs linked to creative and character elements of the education program revised in 2009, and to search for application plans of the Saemaul spirit at the site of the education for the formation of proper lifestyles of students, and to improve their sense of community and character. Director Choi Oe Chool said, "Through the joint operation of the education program through this MOU, we hope that growing children and youths will be able to understand the value of the Saemaul Undong, which is a brilliant experience of their parents and grandparents, and also understand the meaning of the Saemaul spirit, and gain proper knowledge on the Saemaul Undong that the world is paying attention to." He added, "We hope that these children and youths will become world citizens and global human resources who can contribute to the co-prosperity of the global community." The YU Saemaul Research Center concentrates on fostering Saemaul human resources based on the 'global Saemaul spirit (Saemaul spirit 2.0)' adding the spirit of sharing, volunteering and creating on the Saemaul spirit of diligence, self-help and cooperation for the globalization of the Saemaul Undong and the prosperity of the global community. It has been continuously operating pilot school projects and creative experience activity programs for the improvement and practicing of the Saemaul spirit for children and youths from 2012. Also, the Cheongdo Education Support Office applied the 'Saemaul 2.0' exercise program' using the resources of Cheongdo, which the Saemaul Undong first started, to work on improving the communal spirits of students and to improve their qualities as global citizens. Based on such achievements, it was selected in the regional character education network contest hosted by the Ministry of Education in 2014. Meanwhile, the YU Saemaul Research Center signed a work MOU with Cheongdo Elementary School, which was designated by Gyeongsangbuk-do as an education research school under the theme of 'Fostering Proper Character through the Drafting and Application of a Global Saemaul Spirit Exercise Program' and is planning to operate the research school until February 2015.
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'Mock Work Aptitude Test for Conglomerates among Younger Students' held 2,000 freshmen to juniors applied in one month from April 28 [May 26, 2014] "You need to prepare from your freshmen year to get the most sought after jobs!" YU (President Noh Seok-kyun) students are doing all they can to prepare to land their desired jobs. YU held the 'Mock Work Aptitude Test for Conglomerates among Younger Students' for advanced preparation and increased awareness for finding jobs. This is because large conglomerates such as Samsung, LG and Hyundai, as well as public companies and public institutes are conducting work aptitude tests in the new employee hiring process. As if to reflect such trends, 2,000 students in their freshmen to junior years applied to the mock work aptitude test, demonstrating the high level of interests among younger students for employment. The mock work aptitude test that was held for the first time at the YU Humanities Hall on the 28th of last month will be held on 25 sessions until May 27. Ma Eun-bi (19, freshmen in the College of Business & Economics) who enrolled at YU this year said, "I applied because I wanted to experience the mock work aptitude test given to younger students at the school," and added, "I still have a lot of time left before I graduate so I will make preparations one at a time for the company I want to enter." The conglomerate comprehensive mock work aptitude test held at YU was held for 50 minutes with a total of 70 questions in the four main fields of language, math, problem-solving and work knowledge. Students will be able to get a field for the trends and actual testing for the work aptitude tests through the mock test, and based on the test results, they will be able to check their personal strengths and weaknesses to set their future learning direction and contribute in enhancing the employment competitiveness of students. YU Student Capacity Development Office Director Kim Young-tak who prepared this mock work aptitude test said, "Work aptitude tests are necessary for all students who want to find jobs regardless of the industry." He also added, "Our school will provide full support through various employment support programs so that students can gain interest in jobs in advance and gain more information."
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Objectives - To promote historical dialogue among the youth in East Asia and beyond - To encourage the youth to share ideas and inspiration on historical issues - To enable the youth to mutually understand and collaborate to promote peace at the global, regional, and national levels Date & Venue - 17 to 21 August 2014 / Seoul Youth Hostel, Seoul, Korea Participants - 30 individuals between the ages of 18 and 30 - Priority will be given to individuals directly involved in historical reconciliation activities in their respective countries. - Participants should be proficient in English in order to give presentations and partake in discussions. Organizer/ Sponsor - Korean National Commission for UNESCO (KNCU) / Ministry of Education, Republic of Korea Main Theme - New Understanding of History in East Asia: From the History of Conflicts to the History of Shared Understanding ü Sub-theme 1: Political Utilization of History and Deepened Historical Conflicts ü Sub-theme 2: Interaction, Exchange, and Cooperation in East Asian History ü Sub-theme 3: The Role of Youth for Shared Understanding of History in East Asia Lectures - Open lectures will be provided by three renowned experts below to make help participants and the general public to outline the themes to be considered during the forum: ü Miyajima Hiroshi (Professor, Sungkyunkwan University, Republic of Korea) ü Sin Ju-Baek (Professor, Yonsei University, Republic of Korea) ü Filomeno V. Aguilar (Professor, Ateneo de Manila University, the Philippines) Languages - 18 August: Interpretation will be provided simultaneously in Korean and English. - 19-21 August: English only Financial Arrangements - No participation fees are required. Food, accommodation, and local transportation during the forum will be provided. Please note that each room will be shared by 6-10 participants during the forum. - Traveling costs will be borne by individuals. (KNCU is only able to offer a limited number of scholarships to selected candidates from least developed countries or for speakers upon request.) Application - All applicants must complete the Application Form and return it to KNCU by e-mail at history@unesco.or.kr NO LATER THAN 30 June 2014. (KNCU will notify the selected participants regarding its decision by 8 July 2013 via E-mail.) Certificate - A certificate of attendance will be awarded by KNCU to participants who satisfactorily complete the forum. Preparatory Work - Participants are asked to submit an essay on each sub-theme. Based on the essays, participants will be giving a 5-10 minute presentation on the first day of the forum. - Essays must be 700 words or LESS per sub-theme in English and sent via e-mail to history@unesco.or.kr by 4 August 2013. (Detailed information will be provided to selected participants.) - The essays should be original, and include discussion of: (1) the current situation and difficulties related to the given theme and (2) suggestions or recommendations from the youth perspectives with regard to the theme. Correspondence - Contact: Sciences Team Korean National Commission for UNESCO CPO Box 64, Seoul, Korea Email: history@unesco.or.kr Tel: 82-2-6958-4137 Fax: 82-2-6958-4252
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Savings on heating energy by maintaining growth and development/blooming of flowering plants through supplemental lighting Professor Oh's research team recognized for research capacities with thesis presentation awards [May 26, 2014] Professor Oh Wook (42) of the Department of Horticulture and Life Science wins the '37th Korean Society for Horticultural Science Best Thesis Award'. Professor Oh will receive the best thesis award in the horticulture sector for his research results titled 'Effects of Temperature and Long-day Treatment on the Blooming of Cyclamen and Crop Characteristics' carried in the English academic journal 'Horticulture, Environment, and Biotechnology' (hereinafter 'HEB') that was published by the Korean Society for Horticultural Science in December 2013. Professor Oh's research was on reducing energy used for heating by maintaining growth, development and blooming through supplemental lighting instead of raising greenhouse temperature using heating when producing flowering plants. It received high scores for both academic and practical purposes. The Korean Society for Horticultural Science is Korea's largest society in the agricultural science field with 2,000 members and publishes 2 SCI-grade journals - 'Korean Journal of Horticultural Science & Technology' and 'HEB' - bi-monthly. The society reviews over approximately 200 theses published in these two academic journals every year and selects the top thesis in each of the six fields of vegetables, fruit trees, flowering plants, genetic breeding, controlled horticulture, and management after harvesting. Professor Oh's research team won thesis presentation awards repeatedly at various academic conferences, being acknowledged for their research capacities. They won the 2012 Spring Academic Conference Best Poster Presentation Award (PhD course, Kim Ji-seon) and the 2013 Fall Academic Conference Best Poster Presentation Award (Master's degree course, Cho Ji-yoon) hosted by the Korean Society for Horticultural Science, and the 2013 Korean Society for People, Plants and Environment Fall Academic Conference Best Oral Presentation Award (PhD course, Seo Ro-mi). Professor Oh said, "We have recently been conducting research on constructing green buildings using the functions of indoor plants, reduction of energy use in plant farms utilizing artificial light sources such as LEDs and EEFL, improving the quality of bulbs for lilies for exports, and on scientifically proving the effects of horticultural treatment," and added, "We are working on not only basic horticultural research, but also convergence studies with different sectors such as engineering, medicine and psychology to open up new opportunities for the horticulture industry, while using plants and horticultural activities to improve urban environments, as well as human welfare." The '37th Korean Society for Horticultural Science Best Thesis Award' is scheduled to be conferred at the 2014 general assembly of the Korean Society for Horticultural Science that will be held at the Seoul National University Pyeongchang Campus Green Bio Science Technology Research Center at noon on the 29th.
