A delegation of Utah scientists from the Utah Centers of Excellence Program, led by Lt. Gov. W. Val Oveson, will go to South Korea to present a symposium on technology development in Utah, the first such event presented in Korea by an American state.
The Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Korean Ministry of Science and Technology are co-sponsoring the event May 11-13 in Seoul.Lynn Blake, director of the Utah Centers of Excellence Program, said, "The purpose of this mission is to generate a better awareness of research and technology development in Utah. We will be seeking Korean companies interested in investment opportunities in Utah and creating a greater market awareness for Utah's technological exports."
Utah scientists will make presentations on information technologies of computer networking, telecommunication, sensors and computers, manufacturing, advanced materials and quality design and public welfare including biotechnologies and health care.
A keynote speaker for the presentations in Korea will be Don Lind, former U.S. astronaut, commander of the 1984 Challenger space shuttle flight and now a Utah State University professor.
As a result of the mission to Korea, the Korean Ministry of Science and Technology has planned two missions to Utah and other states. Several officials have arrived in the state for meetings at the University of Utah and Brigham Young University.
In addition to the technology sessions, Oveson and Blake will meet with officials of Korea's largest corporation to invite them to build plants in Utah if they decide to expand their operations.