In order to promote the research activities in regions and to heighten the competitiveness of regional industries, “Regional Research & Development Clusters” will be established from next year. The Ministry of Science and Technology will host a workshop to introduce the regional R&D clustering project on Sept. 5. The workshop will be held at Yongbong Hall of International Conference Bldg. From the point of view that activities for the regional promotion of science and technology are the driving force behind regional revitalization and to boost the quality of life for regional residents, the promotion of regional science and technology is vital to the success of the national economy. The Korean government has set up a five year Comprehensive Regional Science and Technology Promotion Plan, which consists of various programs such as; - To develop strategic technologies in local provinces creating a regional technological innovation posts; - To train R&D man-power - To set up regional science & technology information systems - To increase the R&D budgets of local governments For fulfilling the plan, the Ministry of Science & Technology focuses on distributing the 70-75 percent of the increased R&D budgets to local governments, expanding the existing budgets for RRC, and cultivating new projects such as the creation of regional R&D clusters. The Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) said earlier that small R&D centers nationwide will be encouraged by the government to merge their operations to create about 100 R&D clusters by 2007 through strategic alliances. The government is targeting the creation of about 100 R&D clusters over the next five years, with each cluster accommodating 10 small-sized R&D centers, it explained. The R&D clusters will receive five billion won annually from the government for promoting research activities. The pooling of a number of R&D facilities will help small- and medium-size businesses tide over difficulties in core-technology developments. The MOST will select 4-6 clusters among six major regional universities nationwide; Chonnam National University, Pusan National University, Kyungpook National University, Pohang University of Science & Technology, Sungkyunkwan University, and Inha University. After the experimental operation of the clusters, the MOST will increase the number of R&D clusters. For the workshop, Park Young-il and Kim Joo-han, MOST officials, will visit CNU. Kim Joo-han will introduce the government’s policy for regional science and technology developments and R&D cluster creations. A discussion section will follow Kim’s speech. Including Prof. Im Young-chul, Director of CNU Regional Research Center, and 29 other center directors will attend.