University recognized for systematically assessing patent value and converting research into technology transfers and commercialization

Kim Young-sik, director of UNIST's Venture Foundry (right), poses for a photo after receiving a commendation from the Commissioner of the Korean Intellectual Property Office at the 2026 Intellectual Property Management Excellence Awards ceremony. [UNIST]
Kim Young-sik, director of UNIST's Venture Foundry (right), poses for a photo after receiving a commendation from the Commissioner of the Korean Intellectual Property Office at the 2026 Intellectual Property Management Excellence Awards ceremony. [UNIST]

The Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology has been recognized for securing strong research outcomes as competitive patents and successfully channeling them into technology transfers and commercialization.

UNIST announced Monday that it received a commendation from the Commissioner of the Korean Intellectual Property Office in the patent portfolio assessment category at the 2026 Intellectual Property Management Excellence Awards.

The awards program, run by the Korean Intellectual Property Office and the Korea Institute of Patent Information, evaluates universities and public research institutions on their capacity to create and utilize intellectual property over the preceding three years. This year, 12 institutions were named as top performers.

Recognized institutions receive the commissioner's commendation along with intellectual property points — credits that can be applied toward patent filing fees, examination request fees and registration fees.

UNIST earned high marks for its record in intellectual property creation and utilization, domestic and international patent management, and technology transfer. The university was particularly praised for building a management system that consistently assesses the competitiveness and practical value of its patent portfolio and connects high-quality patents to technology transfers and commercialization.

The recognition reflects the university's efforts to raise the "qualitative competitiveness" of patents held by universities and public research institutions — ensuring they are put to use in actual industrial settings rather than simply sitting on the shelf.

"This is the result of our consistent efforts to secure outstanding research outcomes as competitive intellectual property and connect them to technology transfers and commercialization," UNIST President Park Jong-rae said. "Going forward, we will continue to strengthen the qualitative competitiveness of our patent portfolio and further advance our intellectual property management and utilization systems so that research outcomes translate into industrial value."


nbgkoo@heraldcorp.com