HRW FabLab x Chungbuk University, South Korea
Just under twelve hours of flying time lie between Germany and South Korea. A journey that marked the start of a promising collaboration. Three students from Ruhr West University of Applied Sciences (HRW), all of whom also work in the HRW FabLab, traveled to Chungbuk National University in Cheongju last week.
Off to a great start: Ideathon and AI-workshop
Kerstin Ogrissek, Anna Sophia Brokuf and William Reger won second place in the international ideas competition with participants from Japan and Korea.
At the workshop on the use of artificial intelligence (AI), led by Rayon Koo, CEO of Can AI, the three were able to develop presentations on solutions for global climate change in mixed international groups using tools such as ChatGPT, DALL-E, Gamma and Runway. Here the three were among the top three with their group results as well.
Industry and culture: perspective into korean top tier research
A visit to South Korea's largest pharmaceutical company “Celltrion” provided exciting insights into the country's ultra-modern production and industrialization processes.
In addition to the workshops and competitions, there was a little time for culture. Kerstin, William and Anna were able to visit the Gyeongbokgung Palace, the Gwangjang Market and the Lotte Tower, which offered an impressive view over the metropolis. There was also time to visit the former vacation home of the South Korean presidents. Another highlight: it snowed in South Korea, which is unusual in the region around Seoul and made the trip all the more magical.
Look into the future: Building of a partnership
At Chungbuk National University, the German team, supported by Maik Jähne from Saarbrücken University, was warmly welcomed by the Makerspace team led by Prof. Yonggin Kim and Jiwon Park. Initial contacts were deepened over dinner together.
After a tour of the Makerspace and its research projects, such as the Global Robotic Forum, the HRW group gave a presentation on the HRW, our FabLab and the QuFabLab project and held a workshop for Master's students on the Michelson interferometer. What was obvious is the great interest of Chungbuk National University in quantum research and a deeper cooperation and the associated potential of a partnership. Both sides agreed that a mutual exchange of knowledge offers enormous advantages and is already bearing fruit.
This trip marks the beginning of a promising cooperation between the HRW FabLab and Chungbuk National University - an exchange that not only promotes academic and technological cooperation, but also builds cultural bridges.
FabLab gets more and more recognition
It is not only the trip to South Korea that shows that the FabLab is attracting more and more attention. The two funding projects “QuFabLab” and “Quantum MiniLabs” are establishing close contacts with various universities and companies throughout Germany. As part of the projects, the FabLab will be represented at several international trade fairs in 2025, such as the World of Quantum in Munich and FAB25 in the Czech Republic. The consistently high visitor numbers at the weekly open evenings show that the FabLab and makerspace are more popular than ever and that the team's tireless work is paying off.
