UCL GITCC visit to Korea strengthens UK–Korea innovation partnerships

Led by Professor Geraint Rees, UCL Vice-Provost (Research, Innovation and Global Engagement), the delegation bought together UCL experts to advance the UCL GITCC’s mission, linking research with Korea’s industry to deliver solutions to global challenges.

Through engagements with organisations including Hyundai Motor and Kia, Samsung SDI, Samsung Heavy Industries and the Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST), the delegation focused on how the UCL GITCC can accelerate the translation of research into technologies with real-world application.

Professor Geraint Rees, UCL Vice-Provost (Research, Innovation and Global Engagement), said: “The UCL GITCC exemplifies UCL’s commitment to lead and support transformative global research that connects countries and disciplines and addresses urgent global challenges. Our visit to Korea has strengthened the partnerships we need to develop technologies that address challenges such as climate change and sustainable mobility.”

Accelerating research translation through industry partnerships

A key outcome of the delegation was the expansion of the UCL GITCC’s industry partnerships.

Building on its collaboration with Hyundai Motor and Kia, UCL discussed opportunities to broaden collaboration in batteries, hydrogen fuel cells and electric vehicles into new areas including robotics, autonomous systems and AI-enabled mobility.

Discussions with Samsung SDI and Samsung Heavy Industries explored opportunities for collaboration in energy storage, maritime engineering and advanced manufacturing. Through the UCL GITCC, these partnerships are expected to provide pathway to engage SMEs across Korea’s supply chains, supporting wider innovation and commercialisation.

Strengthening the UK–Korea innovation ecosystem

The delegation also strengthened the UCL GITCC’s role as a platform for building an integrated innovation ecosystem linking research, industry and policy.

Supported by Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) and the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology (KIAT), the UCL GITCC serves as a platform for fostering joint research between UCL researchers and Korean industry. Drawing on UCL’s multidisciplinary research, engineering expertise and international partnerships, the centre combines UK research excellence with Korea’s industrial capabilities.

Engagement with the British Embassy in Seoul reinforced the strategic importance of UK–Korea collaboration and highlighted opportunities to strengthen long-term institutional support.

Professor Jeom-Kee Paik, Director of the UCL GITCC, said: "The UCL GITCC is about much more than forging individual partnerships. It's about building a sustainable innovation ecosystem in which academia, industry and government work together to translate research into real-world impact. This delegation has strengthened those foundations and represents an important step towards achieving our long-term vision of delivering transformative technologies that benefit both the UK and Korea, as well as the wider global community."

Expanding global research collaboration

Through the UCL GITCC, the delegation deepened relationships with leading universities including KAIST, Korea University and Yonsei University. Collaboration with the KAIST Global Commercialization Centre will support researcher matching, industry engagement and the development of joint programmes aligned to industrial needs.

By strengthening these links, the UCL GITCC ensures that research is not only globally connected but also positioned to be applied and scaled.

A platform for long-term impact

The visit marks a significant step in its development, demonstrating how the UCL GITCC can bring together world-leading research, industrial expertise and policy support to deliver meaningful global impact.

As these partnerships grow, the UCL GITCC will continue to play a key role in enabling UCL research to translate into technologies that address some of the world’s most pressing challenges.

Links

• GITCC website (English)
• GITCC website (Korean)
• Information for staff about the UCL GITCC
• UCL Engineering
• UCL Global Engagement

Photo © Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology (KIAT)