On September 22, KAIST signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the University of Waterloo (Waterloo). The two universities agreed on research collaboration in computer science, electrical, engineering, and chemical and biomolecular engineering.

Feridun Hamdullahpur, president and vice chancellor of Waterloo said, “KAIST and the University of Waterloo have so much in common. Our universities both pursue excellence in teaching and research, we attract some of the highest-quality students and faculty, and we both seek out innovation that has the potential to change the world. I am delighted to expand our partnership with KAIST.”

Nello Angerilli, the associate vice president, international at Waterloo said, “KAIST has always been touted as Korea’s top-notch research university of science wonderkinds and world-famous faculty members. The Republic of Korea has exemplified economic growth driven by innovation-led science and technology, so this partnership also affords Waterloo the opportunity of Korean investment in the technology ecosystem.”

Waterloo co-operative education program students will be given the opportunity to work in South Korea, and exchange students from KAIST will also be able to experience work-integrated learning while studying at Waterloo.

Waterloo’s Institute for Quantum Computing also signed a MOU with the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) to collaborate on quantum information science.

A representative from the Korean government, Namjoon Cho, the director of the Americas & Asia Cooperation Division of the Korean Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning also attended the MOU signings.

Vice President Angerilli said, “Canadian-sourced research funding is becoming increasingly difficult to acquire. Funding from informed government sources in countries such as the Republic of Korea will strengthen collaborative research outcomes and global recognition of such outcomes.”

The University of Waterloo was founded in 1957, in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. It has more than 35,000 students, and sends over 19,000 students every semester as a part of the post-secondary co-operative education program. Major companies that participate in the program include Google, Microsoft, Apple, Hewlett Packard, Citigroup, Tesla Motors, Amazon and Facebook.