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▲ Prof. Heui Jae Pahk, SNU Dept. of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
 

On April 29, Seoul National University’s College of Engineering (Dean: Kookheon Char) announced that Professor Heui Jae Pahk of Dept. of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering received the Higher Doctorate in Engineering, the highest degree in engineering, from the University of Manchester, UK.

Although Higher Doctorate in Engineering is not very well-known in Korea, prestigious universities such as Oxford have been conferring it as the highest degree in the field of engineering. In order to receive this degree, the person must have a record of excellent academic, industrial, and social contributions during the period of 20 years following their PhD attainment.

Universities first perform a preliminary evaluation of the candidates. Those who pass must submit a separate dissertation containing their achievements, contributions, and proof of performance for a second evaluation. This time, the evaluation is carried out by a review committee consisting of professionals from around the world. The final decision is made according to the results of this evaluation.

Prof. Heui Jae Pahk received his PhD in Engineering at the University of Manchester in 1990 on a government scholarship, and has been serving as a professor at Seoul National University’s College of Engineering since 1993. He has written 200 research papers, acquired 150 patents, and worked on around 110 industry-academia projects, teaching around 100 Master’s and PhD students.

Especially notable is the establishment of SNU Precision, the university’s first laboratory start-up, collaborating with his graduate students. The company was listed in KOSDAQ and has been leading global markets. He has received numerous awards including Silver Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit, $70 Million Export Dollar Award, Jang Young-shil Award, Minister of Industry Award, Minister of Science and Technology Award, National Academy of Engineering of Korea’s Young Engineer Award, SNU Alumni Association’s Gwanak Award, and Hanyang University’s Baeknam Engineering Award.

Prof. Pahk has donated individual shares worth around 8 billion won to Seoul National University to be used as scholarship and fellowship funds. He has also donated scholarship funds to Hanyang University and Korea University. He has been active in both academia and industry, serving as a Member of the National Academy of Engineering of Korea, R&D Strategy Planning Director (Vice-minister level) of the Ministry of Industry, Director of Youth Hope Foundation, President of the Korean Association for Industrial Technology Security, and Non-executive Director of POSCO.

“I am grateful to receive this degree as a gesture of recognition from the international community and a world-renowned university for my contributions to academy and industry,” said Prof. Pahk. “I will continue to devote myself to in-depth research and fostering the next generation of engineers.”

(Title of Prof. Heui Jae Pahk’s dissertation for the Higher Doctorate in Engineering: “A Contribution to Computer Aided Engineering Metrology, Precision Optical Inspection, and Machine System Design”)


Link to article: https://www.hankyung.com/society/article/2019042960361