[Recognized for his contribution in academia and education as the president of Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety (KINS) and the president of POSTECH]

POSTECH president Moo Hwan Kim received the 2021 Distinguished Achievement Award from the College of Engineering at University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-Madison).

President Kim, who is a nuclear safety expert, received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Seoul National University and completed his Ph.D. at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1986. He joined the POSTECH faculty in 1987.

Since joining POSTECH, President Kim has been actively engaged in nuclear safety at home and abroad, serving as a member of the National Energy Committee of the Ministry of Knowledge Economy, a non-standing commissioner of the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission, and a member of the International Nuclear Safety Group at International Atomic Energy Agency.

A total of 38 Ph.D. and 40 master’s students studied under President Kim’s tutelage over the years and he has published 214 papers in international journals. He has chaired the organizing committee of the International Conference on Multiphase Flow in 2013 to actively lead the development of nuclear safety at home and abroad.

At POSTECH, President Kim served in various leadership roles including the vice president of student affairs and admissions, the vice president of planning, and was appointed the 8th president of POSTECH in 2019 after making great contributions to educational and managerial policies at POSTECH.

UW-Madison College of Engineering selected President Kim as a recipient of the 2021 Distinguished Achievement Award for his remarkable academic achievements and his contribution to education.

In his acceptance speech, President Kim remarked, “I want to take this time to thank Professor Michael Corradini and the late Professor Max Carbon who both had a huge influence on my life. They were my role models and I am who I am today thanks to their guidance and advice,” He added, “I would also like to thank my wife, who I owe my life to. She gave me one of her kidneys so I could keep enjoying life and do the things I love. I wouldn’t be here without her sacrifice and support. I also want to tell my sons how proud I am to be their father. And lastly, I thank my parents my in-laws for allowing our family to exist in this world.”

President Kim closed his speech with a quote from Leo Buscaglia, “Change is the end result of all true learning.” He encouraged everyone to continue to learn and be the positive change in the world.

The Distinguished Achievement Award of UW-Madison’s College of Engineering’s is awarded each year to alumni who have made significant contribution and led positive changes in various fields including academia or the private sector.