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Korea-EU Science and Technology Cooperation Advancement Programme

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EU, Korea step up S&T collaboration efforts

An EU-funded project made efforts to consolidate EU–Korean collaboration in the area of science and technology. A comprehensive approach to strengthening bilateral ties in this area is pegged to boost an already existing agreement.

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Although the Korean government has shown strong support for collaboration with the EU in the field of science and technology (S&T) research and cooperation, the north-east Asian country's activity in the EU Framework Programme has been rather lacklustre. Distances, language barriers, and a lack of information and mutual understanding have understandably contributed to this inactivity. The 'Korea-EU science and technology cooperation advancement programme' (Kestcap) project was established to strengthen the S&T agreement signed between the EU and Korea in 2006. Team members aimed to improve bilateral cooperation in this area by identifying fields of common interest, and to contribute to policy dialogue on science, technology and innovation. To improve on achievements realised under the agreement, the cooperative framework planned a number of activities to develop sustainable cooperation strategies. These were to be carried out under four areas identified as central to furthering EU–Korean relationship-building. The first area, establishing a platform to strengthen the S&T agreement, involved building relevant infrastructure: a project website, information/help desks, and a database with contact details of some 200 Korean researchers. The latter was made available to European embassies in Korea to facilitate EU searches for eminent Korean researchers. Under the second area, identifying S&T fields of common interest to both, materials were produced for communicating relevant news and updates (newsletters) and for explaining the EU's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) as well as various aspects of EU research and development (R&D) and funding (reports). A case-study book showcasing successful previous joint research projects, and books of proceeding project events were produced. A research study fell under the third area, contributing to EU–Korea policy dialogue on science, technology and innovation, and forming the basis for shaping approaches to stimulating cooperation between the EU and Korea. The fourth area, focusing on technology areas and adding drivers to promote cooperation, included promotional activities in the form of road shows to raise awareness of the FP7 in Korea, and information days. In all, Kestcap efforts are sure to extend the vision of the 2006 agreement, promising benefits for both sides in the field of S&T.

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