Korea to boost science, technology
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Korea vowed Friday to increase its number of scientists and engineers and strengthen the quality of math and science education as it unveiled a blueprint that could set the tone for the development of science and technology.
The government said it aims to improve its ranking in the category of availability of scientists and engineers to 20th by 2040 from 39th in the Global Competitiveness Report 2016-2017 released by the World Economic Forum.
The plan was endorsed by the National Science and Technology Council earlier in the day.
The government also said it is pushing to ensure that 40 Korean scientists will make it on the coveted list of Thomson Reuters’ “World’s Most Influential Scientific Minds” by 2020 from 28 in 2017.
The government said it will foster sustained innovation in a break with the country’s decades-old practice of pursuing short-term outcomes.
Yoo Young-min, minister of science and ICT, said that the government will monitor progress in achieving its goals on a yearly basis.
Korea said it will push to increase the number of its universities listed among the world’s top 100 universities to 10 by 2040 from four in 2017.
Asia’s fourth-largest economy has been racing to boost science and technology, seeing them as key engines for growth going forward.
The blueprint also called for Korea to raise its ranking in quality of math and science education to 15th place in the Global Competitiveness Report by 2040 from 36th place in 2016.
Questions & Answers
Q.Which specific report measures the availability of scientists and engineers that Korea aims to improve its ranking in?
Which specific report measures the availability of scientists and engineers that Korea aims to improve its ranking in?
Korea aims to improve its ranking in the category of availability of scientists and engineers as measured by the Global Competitiveness Report 2016-2017, released by the World Economic Forum. Its target is to reach 20th by 2040.
Q.What is the specific goal for Korean scientists appearing on the Thomson Reuters 'World’s Most Influential Scientific Minds' list?
What is the specific goal for Korean scientists appearing on the Thomson Reuters 'World’s Most Influential Scientific Minds' list?
The government is pushing to ensure 40 Korean scientists are included on the Thomson Reuters 'World’s Most Influential Scientific Minds' list by 2020. This is an increase from the 28 who were on the list in 2017.
Q.What change in its approach to innovation has the government announced as part of this blueprint?
What change in its approach to innovation has the government announced as part of this blueprint?
The government has announced it will foster sustained innovation, moving away from the country’s previous decades-old practice of pursuing short-term outcomes. This is a significant shift in its strategy.
Q.What is the target for Korean universities in the global top 100 rankings by 2040?
What is the target for Korean universities in the global top 100 rankings by 2040?
Korea aims to increase the number of its universities listed among the world’s top 100 to 10 by 2040. This is up from four universities that were in the top 100 in 2017.