The Korea Institute of Machinery & Materials (KIMM) will open a department on the UT-campus. The research institute would like to gain a foothold in Europe in the field of nanotechnology (MESA+) and laser technology (faculty of Engineering Technology). Last week the UT and the KIMM signed a memorandum of understanding to this end.
According to Kees Eijkel the Koreans do not yet know exactly where they will settle at the UT. The technical-commercial director of Mesa+ would prefer them to be in the semi-permanent building next to Mesa+ where there are a number of spin-off companies. 'Then they are nice and close to the lab. I will show them the space and we will see.'
Eijkel feels it is a boost that the KIMM chose the UT-campus to settle. 'We are, of course, the leaders in the Dutch programme in the nano-field and do well in Europe. That is appealing to them. They are especially interested in the attention we pay to the transfer of research to spin-off companies.'
Initially, KIMM will send two researchers to the campus; they will be focusing on nanotechnology and laser technology. 'For them it is like sending sentries to check out the lay of the land', Eijkel thinks, 'it should offer them an entrance into Europe.'
But the UT will also be able to gain from this. 'In Europe, and the US too, we can co-operate fairly easily with other research institutes. In the far east that is somewhat more difficult, especially because of, for example, cultural differences. Our co-operation with the KIMM can be the starting point of a more intensive co-operation with companies there. We can then build up these relationships in in a relaxed fashion.'
The KIMM department on campus is a result of the contacts that professor applied laser technology Johan Meijer had with the KIMM previously.
