Time : Nov 26(Tue), 2013, 16:00~17:30

The importance of convergence technology is well known and many countries including South Korea have been emphasizing on development of convergence technology in recent years. Although North Korea is behind in developing convergence technology it has a keen interest on IT-based convergence technology since IT, software technology in particular is well developed. For example, a keynote speech on convergence technology by me at the Korean Conference on Science and Technology held at the People's Palace of Culture (인민문화궁전) in Pyongyang on April 5, 2006 was well received by approximately 200 audience including about 150 scientists and engineers of North Korea..

In this talk after introducing the educational system of North Korea, the establishment of PUST will be presented. PUST is only private and international university in North Korea and all the courses are taught in English by foreign professors. At present there are three schools, ALS, ECE and IFM. Although it is only three years old two international conferences were already held in which several papers on convergence technology were presented. Special course on convergence technology was also given in the summer of 2012. Finally, current status on research activities related to convergence technology will be discussed including Da Vinch Grant program.     

Professor Chan-Mo Park was the 4th President of Pohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH) from September, 2003 to August, 2007.  After retiring from POSTECH Prof. Park served as a Special Advisor on S&T to the President of ROK and a President of National Research Foundation (NRF) of Korea before he assumed a Chancellor position with Pyongyang University of Science & Technology (PUST) in September, 2009.

Prof. Park received his B.S. degree from Seoul National University and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Maryland, College Park. He earned an Honorary Doctor of Letters degree from the University of Maryland University College in 2001 in recognition of his scholarly achievements and distinguished service.  In 1995, he was elected as a Fellow by the Korean Academy of Sciences and Technology.

Dr. Park's experience includes professorships in the Computer Science Departments at the University of Maryland, College Park; KAIST, Korea. Professor and Chairman at The Catholic University of America, Washington D.C. and professorship at PUST.  He has also taught for the Boston University Overseas Program in Germany and the University of Maryland Asian Division in Japan.  His major research interests are Digital Image Processing, Computer Graphics, Virtual Reality, and System Simulation.  For the past several years, he has been involved with research activities concerning information technology (IT) development in DPRK (North Korea) and carried out a joint research on virtual reality with Pyongyang Informatics Center (PIC) in Pyongyang, DPRK for seven years. 
 

Dr. Park was decorated by the Republic of Korea with the National Order of Camellia in 1986 for his contributions to the advancement of science and technology in Korea and received the Teacher of the Year Award from The Catholic University of America in 1987 for his excellence in teaching. In June, 2005 he was decorated by the Republic of Korea with the Blue Stripes Order of Service Merit for his contributions on information technology development in Korea and collaborations with DPRK. Prof. Park also received the International Alumnus Award from the University of Maryland, College Park in April, 2009 for providing significant leadership to another country’s educational, cultural, social and/or economic development.