Seoul National University’s College of Engineering (Dean: Kookheon Char) announced that they held the International Conference on Energy and Sustainability (ICES) 2018 from October 17 to 19, organized by Tanzania-Korea Science and Technology Center (iTEC). iTEC is co-operated by SNU Dept. of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and Nelson Mandela African Institute of Science and Technology (NM-AIST).

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Around 230 people froom 8 countries attended the event, where various lectures were given from professionals. Prof. Hee Young Shin, SNU Vice President for Research, and Dr. Sukkyung Shin, Director General the Directorate for International Affairs at the National Research Foundation of Korea, attended the opening ceremony, speaking on the importance of appropriate technology for both Korea and other developing countries.

Prof. Karoli Njau, former Vice President of NM-AIST, and Prof. Shiferaw Feyissa from Adama Science and Technology University in Ethiopia delivered the keynote address, followed by a debate on world-wide research and applications of topics such as energy, sustainability, climate change, water, manufacturing, robots, AI, appropriate technology, and education.

Prof. Jeyong Yoon from SNU Dept. of Chemical and Biological Engineering, current President of the Academic Society for Appropriate Technology, also spoke that “effective appropriate technology is useful not only for developing countires but also for Korea.”

Prof. Sung-Hoon Ahn from SNU Dept. of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Conference Chair of the event and Program Director of iTEC, explained the aim of the conference as follows: “Sustainable development cannot be achieved with knowledge in just one area; it is necessary that developing countries, developed countries, and field professionals from various areas cooperate, sharing their knowledge.”