May 2 through 4, 2013, four representatives from KIT; President Masao Furuyama, Professor Kazunari Morimoto of the Department of Advanced Fibro-Science, Associate Professor Masatoshi Ichida of the Center for Bioresource Field Science and Mr. Tsutomu Yoshii, Assistant to the Vice President; visited Gyeongnam National University of Science and Technology (GNTECH) and the Korea Silk Research Institute located in the city of Jinju, South Korea.

During the visit, President Furuyama paid a courtesy call to GNTECH President Jin-Taek Kwon who gave him a warm welcome and expressed his appreciation for KIT hosting the March 19, 2013 signing ceremony to conclude our partnership agreement and memorandum on student exchange. Animated discussions followed and resulted in plans to begin student exchange right away. Dean Kyu Beom Kim of the College of Design guided the KIT delegation around the design research studios.

Following the visit to GNTECH, President Furuyama and delegation visited the Korea Silk Research Institute in Jinju. Jinju city is known as one of the 5 major silk production centers in the world. This research institute has moved beyond the development of silk as a natural material, and is researching uses of silk as a hybrid material, a biobased material and as an environmental fiber. An active exchange of opinions and ideas with the members of this institute took place concerning the exchange of researchers between the Korea Silk Research Institute and our Center for Fiber and Textile Science.

The city of Jinju is among the most comfortable places to live in South Korea and has a rich variety of cultural and educational facilities. We hope that KIT students will visit the fascinating GNTECH and Jinju city to experience their wonders firsthand.

Right: President Jin-Taek Kwon of GNTECH, Left: President Masao Furuyama	Gyeongnam National University of Science and Technology, Main Building	All GNTECH/KIT Meeting Participants