On November 7, a ceremony celebrating the 20th anniversary of the SKKU Advanced Institute of Nano Technology (SAINT) was held at the Samsung Library on the Natural Sciences Campus. The ceremony brought together 200 participants, including world-renowned scholars and leading figures from industry, academia, and research institutes. Among them were Professor Sumio Iijima (Nagoya University), the founding director of SAINT and the first in the world to discover carbon nanotubes; Professor Jong Min Kim (University of Cambridge), a global authority on nano-display devices; and Professor Michael Graetzel (Free University of Berlin). The ceremony served as an opportunity to reflect on SAINT’s achievements over the past two decades and discuss the future directions for its continued development. 

In his congratulatory remarks, Jae-Wan Park, Chairman of the SKKU Foundation, stated, “As nanoscience continues to grow with limitless potential, SAINT will continue to evolve dynamically. Nanotechnology is a key foundation for future industries and an innovative force that transforms human life. SKKU will continue to lead progress in academia, industry, and society.”

President Ji-Beom Yoo followed by stating, “Over the past 20 years, SAINT has become Korea’s representative nanoscience research institute through collaboration with world-leading scholars and joint research with global companies. We will continue to advance as a future-oriented institute that addresses global challenges through creative research and convergent education.”

▲ (From left) Jae-Wan Park, Chairman of the SKKU Foundation and President Ji-Beom Yoo of Sungkyunkwan University

| About SAINT

SAINT, SKKU’s leading education and research institute for advanced nanoscience and nanotechnology—core disciplines driving 21st-century future industries—was founded in 2005 under SKKU’s long-term strategic initiative “VISION 2010+,” designed to enhance the university’s global competitiveness.

Over the past two decades, SAINT has led Korea’s nanoscience research capacity across nano-materials, quantum information, energy, and bio convergence technologies, establishing itself as a major hub for next-generation scientific innovation.

SAINT has been headed by world-renowned scholars such as Professor Sumio Iijima, Professor Michael Graetzel, Professor Tsuneya Ando, and Professor Sungjoo Lee. The institute is also supported by Korea’s leading faculty and researchers, including Professors Young-Jae Song, Yong-Ho Kim, and Yeon-Wook Jung.

Through strong industry–academia collaboration with Samsung Electronics, SK Group, and other partners, SAINT has produced significant research achievements and nurtured more than 1,000 experts who now serve across academia, industry, and national research institutes, contributing to SKKU’s advancement.

▶ SAINT Website

| Major Milestones

Under its vision of becoming an R&BD (Research &Business Development) Hub for Nano Convergence, SAINT has achieved the following milestones:

- 2006: Established the Graduate School Program in Nanoscience and Technology and signed major research collaboration agreements with Samsung.

- 2008: Designated as a National Core Research Center (NCRC); Gyeonggi Regional Research Center (GRRC) established; SMD OLED Center opened.

- 2010: Selected for the Industrial Strategic Technology Development Program.

- 2013: Selected for the BK21+ Program; SABIC Research Center established.

- 2019: The Department of Nano Engineering was established at the undergraduate level.

The Inauguration of Samsung SDI-SKKU Secondary Battery Center

- 2020: Quantum Information Research Support Center (Q Center) established.

- 2021: First industry–academia–research bio center (CNS) attracted; CEO Scholarship Program with SK Group launched.

| T.O.P.-Oriented Research

SAINT has continued its research and development under the goal of T.O.P. vision -  emphasizing Transdisciplinary technology convergence, Original source platforms, and Practical technology. In particular, SAINT has established a research portfolio centered on four core nanotechnology fields—Quantum Information, Nano Energy, Nano Bio, and Semiconductor/Display—and carries out systematic research guided by strategic roadmaps in each area.

The Quantum Information research focus includes quantum algorithm design for quantum advantage, quantum-state characterization and measurement, and quantum device noise analysis. The goal is to open a revolutionary new era in computing by developing next-generation quantum computer hardware, both superconducting and ion-trap platforms, and corresponding algorithms.

The core areas of nano energy research include nanoscale materials design, defect engineering, solar cells, batteries, and solar fuels. SAINT aims to address climate change and energy security challenges through next-generation technologies such as advanced solar cells, high-efficiency secondary batteries, and green hydrogen systems based on nano-energy. 

In the nano bio field, key areas include AI-driven protein design, immunoengineering, and nanobio diagnostics. The goal is to lead innovation in future medicine and healthcare through AI-based protein engineering, cancer immunotherapy, and infectious-disease diagnostic platforms for the post-COVID era.

Research in the semiconductor and display field focuses on developing “Beyond CMOS” devices that overcome the limits of existing CMOS technologies, as well as 2D nanomaterials and innovative materials for next-generation displays. Beyond the four major research domains, SAINT also remains active in theory, characterization, and materials science, conducting research in areas such as quantum theory, atomic-resolution characterization and analysis, and atomistic simulations in quantum mechanics.

With more than 6,600 m² of laboratory space, advanced research facilities, and a world-class faculty, SAINT has grown into a global research institute that leads in the four core nanotechnology fields. Over the past three years, SAINT faculty members have published an average of 5.31 first-author papers per professor annually, including 16 papers in Nature, Science, and their affiliated journals. They have also produced 60 papers ranked in the top 5% of JCR, demonstrating SAINT’s strong research capabilities.

| C.O.R.E Talent Development and Education

SAINT provides interdisciplinary education based on its C.O.R.E. talent model, which emphasizes Creativity, Overseas, Revolutionary thinking, and Entrepreneurship. All courses in the Department of Nanoscience and Technology, established in 2006 as part of the Graduate School, are conducted in English, with special lectures by world-renowned scholars held regularly. SAINT operates state-of-the-art research equipment to support high-quality education, and all students receive scholarships.

SAINT also supports international exchange programs with top universities such as Harvard and MIT, as well as participation in prestigious global academic conferences. With its innovative research outcomes, interdisciplinary curriculum, and one of the strongest faculties in Korea, the Department of Nanoscience and Technology produces approximately 40 experts each year through its master’s, doctoral, and integrated programs, fulfilling its role as an educational institution that trains the future leaders of the nanoscience and nanotechnology fields.

| Seonginsamun (成人四問): A New Framework for SAINT’s Future Vision

At this juncture, where SAINT reflects on the achievements over its rapid decades of progress while also confronting the need to respond to future transformations, the institute seeks to present a new direction through the Seonginsamun (成人四問), a framework rooted in Sungkyunkwan’s academic identity. Seonginsamun consists of four essential questions—Munhak (問學), Munjai (問才), Munri (問理), and Munhaeng (問行)—and was conceived as a call to reassess and realign SAINT’s strategies to contribute to a greater future beyond past accomplishments. Through this framework, SAINT aims not only to clarify its long-term goals but also to establish concrete action plans for each question, thereby creating a more systematic education and research system.

First, Munhak (問學) asks, “What kind of education should we pursue?” (Gateway to the Inno-Edu). SAINT has outlined specific strategies for specialized education built on Research & Education (R&E) integration and entrepreneurship-oriented R&BE training.

Munjai (問才) asks, “What kind of talent should we cultivate?” (Gateway to the Pioneering Talent). SAINT plans to nurture pioneering talent through continuous student success experiences supported by R&E/R&BE-based education, cutting-edge research achievements, and a culture of interdisciplinary research.

Next, Munri (問理) asks, “What research should we lead?” (Gateway to the Frontier Research). This principle emphasizes frontier-level research, proactive convergent research, and collaborative initiatives.

Munhaeng (問行) asks, “How should we contribute to humanity?” (Gateway to the Visionary Future). This principle focuses on contributing to society by providing technologies, talent, and networks that help address humanity’s most pressing challenges.

Marking its 20th anniversary this year, SAINT has made remarkable contributions to SKKU’s rise in global rankings by generating outstanding research achievements in next-generation core technologies and producing world-class talent in related fields. Looking ahead, expectations are high for SAINT’s limitless growth, not only as a driving force behind SKKU’s success but also as a pioneer shaping its future strategic vision. 

▲ SAINT’s First Homecoming Day

Reporter: Ra Yeonhoo