By Lee Jung-Hwan, Korea University News, November 3, 2024
Ulsan, South Korea – Ulsan University (President Oh Yeon-Cheon) announced on November 1 that it has signed a joint research and development cooperation agreement with Banditbul Energy (CEO: Tolleke Nakken), a company funded by global energy giant Equinor, Ulsan University Hospital, and marine exploration specialist GeoView (CEO: Kim Hyun-Do). The signing ceremony took place in the university’s faculty meeting room.
According to the agreement, the collaboration will focus on three main areas:
- Technology Development (Ulsan University, Banditbul Energy, GeoView)
- Medical Service Support (Ulsan University, Ulsan University Hospital, Banditbul Energy)
- Next-generation Workforce Development (Ulsan University, Banditbul Energy). The goal is to maximize the outcomes of academic-industrial cooperation by leveraging the infrastructure of Ulsan University and its hospital.
Previously, Ulsan University and Banditbul Energy signed an agreement in Oslo, Norway, in August, securing 1 billion KRW in Glocal University Regional Industry Development funds from Equinor. Building on this partnership, both organizations agreed to strengthen their cooperation to support Ulsan University’s Glocal University project and Ulsan’s floating offshore wind power business.
As part of the new agreement, GeoView will collaborate with Ulsan University’s Department of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering to research and develop maintenance programs for floating offshore wind turbines using unmanned underwater drones (ROVs), and to optimize robotic operating systems and conduct practical research. The Ulsan University Glocal University Regional Industry Development fund will also contribute 180 million KRW to this effort.
In the field of medical service support, Ulsan University Hospital will utilize its medical staff and infrastructure to develop tailored health check-up programs and telemedicine systems for floating offshore wind turbine maintenance personnel.
For next-generation workforce development, experts from the field will be appointed as faculty members at Ulsan University through the Joint Appointment (JA) system. Banditbul Energy will appoint offshore wind experts to assist with research and development at the university.
Ulsan University President Oh Yeon-Cheon stated, “This agreement will be a new model of academic-industrial cooperation, bringing together the university’s research, medical technology, and workforce development capabilities to comprehensively support business activities.”
Tolleke Nakken, Executive Vice President of Banditbul Energy, also commented, “This is a great opportunity for regional universities, hospitals, and partners to grow together.”
Source: Korea University News (https://news.unn.net)
