image: On Monday, November 17, at Jilin University in China, KIMM President Seog-Hyeon Ryu (left) and Jilin University President Zhang Xi (right) signed an MoU and posed for a commemorative photo.
Credit: Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM)
The Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (President Seog-Hyeon Ryu, hereinafter “KIMM”) has launched a new initiative to build a global research collaboration network connecting China and Vietnam, opening a new chapter in machinery technology cooperation across Asia. KIMM announced that it will significantly strengthen research collaboration with Jilin University (President Zhang Xi) in China in cutting-edge fields such as 3D printing, precision manufacturing, and biomimetic technology.
On November 17 (Monday), KIMM President Seog-Hyeon Ryu and a team of researchers visited Jilin University in Changchun, Jilin Province, China, to sign a research collaboration agreement. The two institutions agreed to strengthen cooperation in advanced and convergent fields such as 3D printing (metal and bio), precision manufacturing, and biomimetic technology. They also plan to promote international joint research, researcher exchanges, and joint seminars to establish a practical foundation for sustainable collaboration.
The two institutions first signed a headquarters-level collaboration agreement in July 2019 to promote personnel exchanges, shared use of research facilities, and the development of international joint research projects based on 3D printing and biomimetic technologies. Since 2022, they have successfully conducted a joint research project titled “Development of Biomimetic Implants Using 3D Printing Design and Process Technology,” establishing a strong foundation for collaboration. Under the new agreement, the scope of cooperation has been expanded to high value-added research areas, including 3D printing-based bio and medical devices, precision manufacturing processes, electronic device fabrication technologies, and functional surface manufacturing technologies such as superhydrophobic, anti-icing, and anticorrosive coatings.
On November 19 (Wednesday, local time), KIMM will sign a four-party Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at Hanoi University of Science and Technology (HUST) in Vietnam, together with HUST, the University of Science and Technology (UST), and the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology (KITECH). The parties aim to establish a collaborative framework for joint industry–academia–research initiatives and talent development based on the 「KIMM-STARSHIP」 program. Building on this agreement, KIMM plans to introduce a special admission track for the UST–KIMM School at HUST starting with the 2026 fall semester.
*「KIMM-S&T And Research fellowSHIP」: KIMM’s proprietary international cooperation program designed to attract outstanding global researchers, support domestic and overseas training opportunities, and strengthen international collaboration capabilities. In 2025, KIMM plans to expand global talent recruitment across the Asian region by utilizing its institutional networks, including the KIMM Ambassador and KIMM Alumni programs.
KIMM will also visit the Vietnam Metrology Institute (VMI) and the National Barcode Center (NBC) to discuss cooperation on standard development related to reliability evaluation and measurement technologies for mechanical components and equipment, as well as the potential establishment of a mutual certification system in the future. In addition, KIMM plans to sign a cooperation agreement with the University of Science under Vietnam National University (VNU-HUS) to promote education and research collaboration and establish a joint framework for talent development.
President Seog-Hyeon Ryu of KIMM stated, “Through global collaboration with leading universities in science and technology in China and Vietnam, KIMM has established a foundation to broaden technological cooperation across Asia and strengthen research linkages between nations. As the machinery industry continues to play an increasingly vital role in the industrial development of both countries, KIMM will strive to produce tangible outcomes in joint research, technology transfer, and talent cultivation, positioning itself as a leading research institute driving mechanical innovation and industrial advancement in Asia.”
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The Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM) is a non-profit government-funded research institute under the Ministry of Science and ICT. Since its foundation in 1976, KIMM is contributing to economic growth of the nation by performing R&D on key technologies in machinery and materials, conducting reliability test evaluation, and commercializing the developed products and technologies.