Young scientists from Korea's national labs converge to tackle research challenges with AI

UST holds first international conference USTIC 2026, drawing more than 850 participants from 26 countries

UST President Kang Dae-im delivers an opening address at the international conference USTIC 2026 on Thursday. [UST]

Young scientists from 30 government-funded research institutes — spanning AI, biotech, space, energy and advanced manufacturing — gathered to share findings and explore new possibilities in convergence research centered on "AI for Science."

The University of Science and Technology (UST) said it is hosting its first international conference, USTIC 2026, Thursday and Friday at the Daejeon Convention Center.

USTIC stands for Unlimited Science and Technology International Conference. The event grew out of the academic sessions of the "UST Academic Culture Festival," which UST has held since 2010, and was expanded and relaunched this year as a full international conference.

More than 850 people from 26 countries are taking part, including graduate students and faculty from 30 national laboratory schools across the country, researchers from overseas partner universities, and deep tech industry experts. Foreign participants alone number around 240.

This year's theme is "AI for Science," reflecting the growing recognition that AI is no longer just a research aid but is fundamentally changing how scientific discoveries are made. The conference focuses on the latest research results and potential applications across disciplines.

Researchers from 30 national laboratory schools are participating, including the Korea Institute of Science and Technology, the Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, the Institute for Basic Science, the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI), the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials, the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute and the Korea Aerospace Research Institute.

A student speaks at the international conference USTIC 2026. [UST]

The keynote address will be delivered by Zhang Xinpeng, a professor at the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, who will introduce "China's New Era of AI Plus." Kim Jae-kyoung, a KAIST professor affiliated with the IBS Biomedical Mathematics Group, will present a new research direction combining mathematics and AI to address human health challenges.

The academic sessions are organized into six tracks: flagship and digital innovation, biotech and health I, biotech and health II, space and basic science, energy and environment, and advanced manufacturing and mobility.

A total of 232 graduate students, selected through preliminary rounds at 30 schools, will present their research. Of these, 89 will give oral presentations and 143 will present posters, with participants crossing institutional and disciplinary boundaries to explore possibilities for convergence research.

Distinguished guests pose for a photo at USTIC 2026. [UST]

A deep tech startup program has also been organized to help translate research into industry applications. Kim Do-yeon, chief technology officer of gene-editing technology firm Jincore, and other experts will take part in a special entrepreneurship session to share strategies for bringing laboratory technologies from national research institutes to market.

On Friday, the third UST-UMAS Joint Forum will be held with the Mongolian University of Science and Academy, an institution established by benchmarking the UST education model. The two organizations will discuss ways to expand the national laboratory-based university education model globally.

"This is a new platform where students and faculty conducting core national research at 30 national laboratories can share their findings across institutions, disciplines and borders," UST President Kang Dae-im said. "It will serve as a milestone in driving convergence among the various national laboratory schools and generating strong synergies."

nbgkoo@heraldcorp.com