POSTECH celebrated its 20th Anniversary on December 3rd, 2006.

On December 3rd, 1986 established as Korea’s first research-oriented science and technology university, POSTECH began its journey to become one of the world’s leading research-oriented universities.

After a short history of only 12 years, POSTECH topped the list of Asia’s leading science and technology universities by Hong Kong based Asiaweek in 1998 and the Times Higher Education Supplement ranked POSTECH 25th (3rd in Asia) in citations per faculty.

The main driving force of POSTECH’s rise to the top was the founding Chairman Tae-Joon Park’s dedication and resolves to establish a world-class research-oriented university in Korea. POSTECH’s pioneering philosophies such as admission guidelines, providing free housing for all students, full scholarship for all students, academic systems allows dedicated attention to their pursuit of knowledge.

In celebrating 20th Anniversary, POSTECH declared Vision 2020, to become one of the world’s top 20 research-oriented universities by the year 2020. By applying selection and concentration, interdisciplinary cooperation, and globalization, POSTECH will foster creative, progressive and global leaders with science and technology background by continuously generating research achievements with high academic and industrial impact.

The commemoration ceremony held on December 1st was attended by founding Chairman Tae-Joon Park and approximately 1,000 guests. The two hour program included commemorative speeches by founding Chairman Tae-Joon Park, President Chan-Mo Park and POSTECH Foundation Sang Boo Yoo, presentation of commemorative awards, conferment of POSTECH’s first honorary doctorate degree and the unveiling of POSTECH’s new University Identity.

Chairman Tae-Joon Park, in his congratulatory message, recalled his vision to establish a university which would revolutionize and pioneer Korea’s science and technology education and research. He added that life is not long or shot. It is the spirit and philosophies we live by that are important.

Also on the day, POSTECH’s first honorary doctorate was conferred to Dr. Roderick MacKinnon of the Rockefeller University. Dr. MacKinnon is a noble laureate chemist famous for his research on ion channels.

In association with the Anniversary Ceremony, POSTECH-Expo 2006 was held at the gymnasium to highlight POSTECH’s research achievements and the latest scientific research that is happening at POSTECH. The public expo hosted POSTECH’s 14 departments and leading research centers such as PAL and Biotech Center, and POSTECH’s industry collaborative partners such as POSCO, Research Institute of Science and Technology (RIST) and LG also displayed their joint research projects.