Abu Dhabi, July 13th, 2010 — A student delegation from Khalifa University of Science, Technology and Research (KUSTAR) has met Mohammad Abdullah, the UAE Ambassador to South Korea, in Seoul.
The students were briefed on the key facets of the technological and economical cooperation between the UAE and South Korea and the scientific expansion South Korea is currently witnessing.
The eleven day KUSTAR student trip to South Korea allowed a number of high-achieving students the opportunity to get first-hand knowledge of the progress and technological developments achieved by South Korea. The trip included a large number of training and cultural sessions along with different activities, including a visit to the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), one of the world’s most important scientific centres in technology. While there, the students participated in a lecture on technology and toured the facility.
The visit also allowed students to explore the Hyundai Automobile Factory in Ulsan, one of the major South Korean automobile factories and which employs 32,000 people. Students were given a tour of the various departments within the factory that support the manufacturing and assembly of the cars. The students also toured the departmental units at Samsung Mobile Phone Factory in the city of Suwon, and observed the manufacturing stages of cell phone production. Students also visited the Korean Nuclear Energy Foundation (KNEF), where they received detailed explanations on the process of nuclear fuel production and its preparation for export. They also made visits to factories of KT Wibro, which specializes in wireless internet networks production, as well as LG’s DIGITAL PARK Show Room and Samsung Electronics.
Dr. Mohammed Al-Mualla, Interim Provost of KUSTAR said: “KUSTAR sends student delegations to countries which are developed in the areas of technology and science to allow students the opportunity to increase their awareness about how scientific discovery and technological advances have changed how societies work, live and interact. When students are exposed to the scientific process behind the technologies, it serves as motivation for them to make serious efforts at reaching academic excellence and innovation.
“These field trips also serve to extend the students’ abilities to build their personalities as engineers, to strengthen their capabilities, and to prepare them in contributing to the UAE’s aim to becoming an engineering hub. To do this, they need to equipped with the opportunity to keep abreast with the latest developments in the science and engineering fields,” he added Younis Larry, a KUSTAR student and participant of the South Korea trip, said: “Through this distinctive journey, I was able to see for myself what opportunities lie ahead for me in the field of Engineering. This trip helped me to recognize the large role technological and scientific progress plays in the development of a nation. I am very eager to participate in future student trips, where I can further enhance my knowledge, and expand my views and visions of the opportunities and potential within my field.” Amina Belkadi, who was also part of the trip, said: “This trip gave me the chance to exchange cultural and academic information with KAIST students, and for the both of us to learn from one another’s experiences in the field of engineering and science. I was so pleased to be part of a specialized lecture attended by all Khalifa University students on the engineering satellite synthetic, which was new to me. I hope to participate in the University’s future trips which will further fuel my passion for engineering.” The trip also included an array of Korean cultural and entertaining activities. Visits were made to the Tourist Information Centre, Handicraft Village, National Museum, Anapji Pond, DaeneungWon Tomb Park, Astronomical Observatory, Namdaeun Market Shopping and the Martial Arts of Taek Kwon Do School.