Sogang University-Korea Minting and Security Printing Corporation Sign Business Agreement on Industry-Academia Collaboration

- The goal is to conduct industry-university-research collaboration activities, such as collaborations in blockchain-technology development and joint-research development to build a trusted digital society -

Sogang University and the Korea Minting and Security Printing Corporation (KOMSCO) signed an ‘industry-academia collaboration business agreement related to blockchain-technology development’ in the reception room of the president on June 18 (Fri). The signing ceremony was attended by major officials from the two organizations, including CEO Bahn Jahng-shick of KOMSCO, Sogang President Sim Jong-hyeok, Executive Vice President Song Tai-kyong of Academic Affairs, Executive Vice President Kim Soon-kee of Research & External Affairs, and Vice Director Lee Kyootai of Research & Business Development Foundation (SUR&BDF), promising mutual technological-exchange efforts and cooperation toward development on both sides.

KOMSCO was established for the purpose of the stable manufacturing and supply of national security products, such as currency and securities, and is currently developing anti-counterfeiting technology and conducting authenticity assessments. In addition, since its first export activities in 1970, KOMSCO has been exporting banknotes, coins, paper products (banknote paper), special inks, and passports to more than 40 countries around the world. Currently, it is researching secure-printing and paper-manufacturing technology, secure-ID-manufacturing technology, and high-quality imprint-manufacturing technology.

Through this agreement, the two institutions will ▲cooperate on blockchain-related technology development, ▲develop cooperative programs and exchange expertise in the technology-management field, ▲share measures to improve laws and systems related to authentication, such as digital currencies/identity cards, and ▲develop industry-university joint research, conduct educational programs, and lead industry-university-research collaboration activities, all through mutual assistance.

To facilitate such joint-research activities, the Information Technology Research Center of KOMSCO and the Sogang University Intelligent Blockchain Research Center will strengthen cooperation in technology development and are currently promoting the exchange of information and expertise necessary for research and development activities. Furthermore, the plan is to collaborate with Sogang University’s ICT Law and Economy Institute to share innovation strategies and measures to improve laws and systems related to digital authentication.

At the signing ceremony, President Sim Jong-hyeok said, “Through this agreement, we expect that activities like joint-technology development, blockchain-research activation, and exchanges of research personnel and students will become more animated for high value-added future-leading projects, and the school will spare no effort to support these.” He then added, “I hope that the results of this industry-academia collaboration will help KOMSCO to strengthen its competitiveness in the field of digital authentication and take a leap forward into the broader world.”

CEO Bahn Jahng-shick of KOMSCO, said, “With this agreement, we will continue to develop technology for the establishment of a trusted digital society as well as the mutual development of our two institutions through the exchange of Sogang’s specialized fields and the security technology that we possess.”

Meanwhile, Sogang University operates a research institute specialized in the development of blockchain technology and an educational institution specialized in nurturing experts in the establishment of an innovative-technology ecosystem. While supporting the discovery of excellent property rights and technology transfers, the SUR&BDF at Sogang is steadily expanding its support services for industry-academia-research collaboration between the university, companies, and research institutes, aiming to strengthen research capabilities that can lead the eight innovative growth areas.

*Eight innovative growth areas: smart farm, bio-health, smart city, new energy industry, drones, future automobiles, smart factories, fintech (selected as the government’s eight leading projects)

▲ (From left) Professor Moon Seongwuk of Graduate School of MOT, Professor Park Soo-yong, Computer Science and Engineering, Executive Vice President Kim Soon-kee of Research & External Affairs, Executive Vice President Song Tai-kyong of Academic Affairs, President Sim Jong-hyeok of Sogang University, CEO Bahn Jahng-shick of KOMSCO, Director Chae Jong-hoon of Information Technology Research Center, Head Choi Sung-min of Technology Strategy Team, Vice President Jeong Ok-hyun for Public Affairs, and Vice Director Lee Kyootai of SUR&BDF