A Hub for Battery Technology — Leading Research and Global Talent Development

Shin Youngjun, Former CTO of LG Energy Solution, Appointed as the Inaugural Director

□ Article Link :  ① YTN   ② MBN   ③ DONGA  ④ JOONGANG

On April 11, Gachon University held the opening ceremony for the Battery Future Technology Research Institute at the Gachon Convention Center and unveiled its vision to become a “Top 10 Global, No. 1 in Korea, World-Class Research Institute.”

Shin Youngjun, former Vice President and CTO (Chief Technology Officer) of LG Energy Solution, was appointed as the institute's first director. Now serving as a distinguished professor at Gachon University, Professor Shin is a leading expert in Korea’s battery industry, known for his work in next-generation battery technologies such as lithium-sulfur and all-solid-state batteries, as well as his leadership in industry-academia collaboration.

The event was attended by over 130 guests, including President Lee Gilya of Gachon University; Shin Heedong, President of the Korea Electronics Technology Institute (KETI); Park Taesung, Vice Chairman of the Battery Industry Association; Lee Jihoon, Center Director at Toray Advanced Materials; Won Doyoung, Senior Executive of the ISU Group; university faculty; and professors and graduate students from the School of Chemical and Biological Engineering and Battery Engineering.

The event proceeded with a presentation of the institute and its vision by Director Shin Youngjun, congratulatory remarks by President Lee Gilya and other key figures, and an official appointment ceremony for the institute's director.

During his presentation, Director Shin introduced the Battery Future Technology Research Institute as a hub for future battery technologies. He unveiled a vision for the institute to become a world-class leader that immediately comes to mind when thinking of “battery innovation,” built on three core strategies:

△ Strengthening industry-academia-research collaboration

△ Enhancing research infrastructure

△ Operating practical education programs

The institute plans to identify joint research projects through close collaboration with industry partners, pursue future technology research jointly with KETI, and promote hands-on partnerships by inviting industry-experienced faculty members.

In terms of research, the institute will expand its faculty in key fields such as core materials, battery design, and advanced analysis, increasing its team from the current 28 members. Infrastructure development will include constructing a new Industry-Academia Collaboration Building and equipping it with shared analysis facilities. On the educational front, the institute aims to develop trend-driven curricula, deliver hands-on education using KETI’s pilot-scale equipment, and operate international joint research and exchange programs to nurture globally capable and practical talent.

Director Shin emphasized, “Under our ‘Education·Research·Industry-Academia Double-Up’ roadmap, we aim to more than double the number of graduate students, published research papers, and collaborative industry-academic projects by 2030.”

Gachon University established its undergraduate Battery Engineering major in 2022 and admitted its first class in 2023. The university focuses on developing specialized, high-tech talent in the secondary battery field through an intensive and practical education model. It has also created a project-based learning environment with facilities such as a mirror-type lab and a dry room. In 2023, Gachon University received an increase of 50 student slots in the Ministry of Education’s advanced field quota allocation, expanding the major’s enrollment capacity to 100 students.

Additionally, the university was selected for the 2022 Government Joint Secondary Battery Industry Talent Development Project and the 2023 Advanced Field Convergence Innovation University Project. Most notably, in March 2025, Gachon University was the only institution in the country selected for the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy’s “2025 Advanced Industry Specialized Graduate School Support Program” in the battery sector. Through this, the university will receive KRW 15 billion (approximately USD 11 million) over five years.

In her congratulatory address, President Lee Gilya stated, “The Battery Future Technology Research Institute will serve as a platform for seamless collaboration among academia, industry, and research, and a hub for technological innovation and talent development. Based on our ongoing battery specialization efforts and strategic roadmap, Gachon University is committed to leading the future of the domestic and global battery industry.”