Why Must Icheon Be the Location for the Science High School?

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Eom In-yong] The 'Icheon Science High School Attraction Policy Forum' was held on the 23rd at the Icheon City Hall conference room.

The forum was attended by approximately 100 people including Icheon Mayor Kim Kyung-hee, National Assembly Member Song Seok-jun, Icheon City Council Speaker Park Myung-seo, Icheon Office of Education Superintendent Kim Eun-jung, Provincial Councilor Kim Il-joong, Co-Chairs Choi Yun-hyuk and Cho Han-jun of the Icheon Science High School Attraction Committee, and citizens.

Mayor Kim Kyung-hee said in her opening remarks, "By attracting Icheon Science High School, we aim to cultivate specialized talent through industry-academic-research cooperation, resolve regional educational imbalances, and prevent the outflow of talent," and added, "Icheon City will leap to become a core city of science education by nurturing creative and convergent talent demanded by an advanced society."

She continued, "Through today's forum, I hope we can share recognition of the necessity of attracting Icheon Science High School and present various plans for successful attraction."

National Assembly Member Song Seok-jun said, "The reason why a science high school must be attracted to Icheon is clear. It will become a cradle for cultivating creative and innovative talent to lead the future semiconductor industry and the nation's core advanced industries, not merely an institution for educating excellent students," and added, "With your active participation and support, I hope the attraction of Icheon Science High School will be successfully realized."

At today's forum, National Assembly Member Song Seok-jun served as moderator, and Professor Kim Jae-jin from Kangdong University gave the keynote address.

Professor Kim Jae-jin presented Icheon City's semiconductor infrastructure and the reasons why establishing a science high school in Icheon is necessary, delivering a presentation on the theme "Why Must Icheon Be the Location for the Science High School?" The necessity of attracting a science high school was presented as including ▲resolving regional imbalance ▲cultivating excellent talent aligned with national strategy ▲creating a foundation for realizing and advancing Icheon City's policy tasks ▲expanding students' career and education choices ▲active support from local residents ▲establishing a semiconductor industry-academic-research foundation, among others.

Panelists included Professor Park Joo-hyung from Gyeonggin National University of Education, Han Yun-su, Director of the Semiconductor Comprehensive Solution Center at Korea Ceramic Technology Institute, Jeong Ui-myeon, a scholar official at Gyeonggi Province Office of Education, Kim Eun-mi, Chair of the Operating Committee of Doam Elementary School, and Gyeonggi Provincial Councilor Kim Il-joong.

Meanwhile, the city and city council visited the Gyeonggi Province Office of Education on the 21st and delivered the 'Letter of Intent for Icheon Science High School Attraction' and 'Resolution in Support of Icheon City Science High School Establishment' to Superintendent Lim Tae-hee. The attraction committee, following the policy forum, will hold a resolution rally for attracting Icheon Science High School on the 2nd of next month at 10 a.m. in the Grand Concert Hall of Icheon Art Hall.