On July 12th, Poznan University of Technology hosted a Korean delegation, accompanied by Ph.D., D.Sc., Eng. Leszek Cwojdziński, Major General Pilot. The Vice-Rector for Research, Professor Wojciech Sumelka, met with Billy Boo Hwan Lee, President of Hanwha Aerospace Europe, Min Won Park, President of Changwon National University, Jongkyu Park, Vice-Rector, and Haesung Jung, Head of the Educational Center. The delegation also included Myoung Rae Cho, Deputy Mayor of Changwon, along with Goo Jong Kang, Head of the Planning Policy Department.
It is worth noting that Changwon, Korea, is a partner city to Poznań. On September 9, 2023, a Memorandum
of mutual cooperation was signed, committing both cities to collaborate in culture, tourism, education, mutual promotion, and investment support. Changwon is a significant industrial hub in South Korea, home to major Korean companies and the largest enterprises in the Korean defense industry, including Hanwha.
Hanwha Aerospace Europe (HAEU), headquartered in Warsaw, is a subsidiary of Hanwha Aerospace, established in 1977 in South Korea. Hanwha Aerospace is a global leader in the aerospace and defense sectors, offering systems that enhance national defense capabilities, precision-guided munitions, and engines for air, space, and marine platforms. As a systems integrator for Korean space vehicles, it leads Korean space projects. Billy Boo Hwan Lee, President of Hanwha Aerospace Europe, emphasized that the company is currently executing over 100 projects for the Korean army. He also expressed hope that the meeting at Poznan University of Technology would mark the beginning of fruitful collaboration between our institutions.
Changwon National University is a renowned institution in South Korea. During the meeting, Vice-Rector Jongkyu Park spoke about the unique DNA of Changwon National University, derived from the words related to its key areas: Defense, Nuclear, and Autonomous. CWNU also offers advanced courses and research in computer science, computer engineering, and information systems.
Deputy Mayor of Changwon, Myoung Rae Cho, assured in his brief speech that the city's authorities fully support the collaboration of regional universities with foreign institutions. We thus hope that the cooperation with Poznan University of Technology will also be under the city's patronage.
Following the official speeches and guest presentations, our University was presented. Magdalena Zawirska-Wolniewicz, Head of the International Relations Office, presented a film and a presentation highlighting the benefits of Poznan University of Technology in terms of collaboration, and PhD. Eng. Julia Gościńska-Łowińska discussed the current capabilities and potential of the Kąkolewo Campus. PhD. Eng. Agata Mielcarek presented a Techno-economic analyses of Hybrid Power Generation Systems,PhD. Eng. Radosław Górzeński discussed the use of autonomous solutions and machine learning in unmanned aerial vehicles, - M.Sc. Eng Michalina Kamińska presented the use of hydrogen fuel to power means of transport and PhD. Eng. Bartosz Ziegler outlined the research capabilities of the Institute of Thermal Energy.
After the presentations and outlining future joint activities resulting from the partnership, the signing ceremony of the Trilateral Cooperation Agreement between Poznan University of Technology, Hanwha Aerospace Europe, and Changwon National University took place. The agreement defines strategic cooperation areas and includes arrangements between the parties in terms of potential collaboration in research and development, exchange of experiences, exchange of students and academic staff. This is the first formal step enabling the implementation of joint activities, particularly in scientific fields related to defense, aerospace technologies, and space.
Both Rector Sumelka and the Korean delegation members thanked General Leszek Cwojdziński for his assistance in organizing the meeting at PUT and the opportunity to initiate new cooperation.
It is hoped that the visit of the Korean delegation and the agreement signed as part of it, will lead to the realization of the potential of each party in the new network of contacts.
