The Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute (KERI) dreams of leaping forward as a power and AI demonstration hub for the southeastern region through its open second campus.

On the 13th, the Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute signed a business agreement with Changwon Special City to establish an 'open second campus' to strengthen the competitiveness of the future power and AI industries, and agreed to jointly promote the construction of a national strategic technology demonstration infrastructure.

Key officials, including KERI President Kim Nam-gyun and Changwon Special City Mayor Acting Mayor Jang Geum-yong, attended the signing ceremony held at Changwon City Hall.

To mark its 50th anniversary, KERI is pursuing the 'Open Second Campus' project as a core strategy to prepare for the next 50 years.

The new campus is designed as a comprehensive research hub encompassing everything from research collaboration in national strategic fields, such as power semiconductors and AI-based electrical technology, to demonstration, certification, and the training of specialized personnel.

It is characterized by aiming to be an open platform utilized jointly by industry, academia, and local governments, going beyond a simple research facility.

Through this agreement, both parties agreed to cooperate in securing a site for a second campus and establishing infrastructure within the Changwon region.

In addition, to strengthen the regional industrial ecosystem through joint responses to government public projects, expansion of corporate support programs, and revitalization of investment attractionWe are also pursuing multilateral cooperation.

Following the selection of the site, the construction of the campus is planned to proceed through the following stages: short-term (start to 3 years) foundation building, mid-term (3 to 7 years) functional enhancement, and long-term (after 7 years) self-reliance and expansion.

KERI and Changwon City are already carrying out various cooperative projects.

Based on the Changwon Small but Strong Special Zone, we are supporting the commercialization of technology in the fields of intelligent electric-mechanical convergence technology and electric propulsion systems. We are also pursuing initiatives such as operating a 'Simulation Center' to reduce corporate product development time and a high-tech equipment research and manufacturing center for the medical and bio industries.

It is expected that synergies with these existing projects will be further expanded once the second campus is established.

Jang Geum-yong, Acting Mayor of Changwon Special City, said, “KERI has been an important pillar of Changwon’s industrial development for decades,” adding, “I hope the second campus becomes a new symbol of regional innovation.”

KERI President Kim Nam-kyun emphasized, “In an era where electrification technology is rapidly being applied to daily life, the second campus will play a key role in ensuring that Changwon citizens are the first to enjoy its benefits.”

Meanwhile, KERI is a government-funded research institute affiliated with the National Science and Technology Council (NST) under the Ministry of Science and ICT, and represents the national research infrastructure in the electrical field. The push for a second campus is expected to serve as an opportunity to expand KERI's research capabilities across the region and national industries.