ASPIRE

What is the ASPIRE League?

Overview

The Asian Science and Technology Pioneering Institutes of Research and Education (ASPIRE) League is a consortium of five leading universities in science and technology in Asia. It aims to form a hub for innovation in Asia through the advancement of science and technology and the development of human resources.

The ASPIRE League consists of the following five member universities :

• Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
• Nanyang Technological University
• Tokyo Institute of Technology
• Tsinghua University
• Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology

The activities of the ASPIRE League are implemented both in a top-down manner, i.e., based on decisions of the Board of Vice Presidents, and in a bottom-up manner, i.e., initiated by each member university.

The ASPIRE League aims to realize its aims through the following activities and programs :

• Research Collaboration
  Various forms of research collaboration are implemented, including academic symposia, workshops, joint research projects, and exchange of personnel and scientific information.
• Student Exchange
  Student exchanges are carried out among member universities, aiming to foster young talent who will be able to tackle important issues in today’s global society.
• ASPIRE League Educational Certificate
  The educational activities implemented by two or more member universities may be recognized as an ASPIRE League educational program, and certificates will be issued by the league to the participants.
• Satellite Laboratories and Satellite Offices
  Member universities may establish a satellite laboratory and satellite office on their campuses. The satellite laboratory will be the core of research collaboration among member universities. The satellite office will conduct certain business activities of other member universities on their behalf.

KAIST Activities within the ASPIRE League

Overview

KAIST conducted the 6th ASPIRE Undergraduate Research Academy (UGRA) on its main campus in Daejeon, South Korea on the theme “Better Living: Innovations and Technologies to Improve Lives” from June 30th (Sun.) to 5th (Fri.) 2019. This was the third consecutive ASPIRE UGRA conducted by KAIST. A total of 13 students from three ASPIRE League member universities participated in the 2019 ASPIRE UGRA. The program was designed for undergraduate students currently working on research projects related to the program theme. During the course of the program, participating students took turns presenting their research, receiving feedback from KAIST lecturers and fellow UGRA participants.  This program also allowed UGRA participants to join the field trip to Jeonju.

ASPIRE E-Olympics

Overview

In August of 2014, KAIST was pleased to host the first-ever ASPIRE E-Olympics, a multicultural program that involved sporting events, friendly competition, and technical tours based on engineering, science, and research. It was the first ASPIRE League event to be student- planned and one of the first cultural exchange activities among the member universities.

The ASPIRE E-Olympics served as a great opportunity for the member universities to secure international recognition and strengthen the promotion of Asia’s spirit, creativity, and excellence in the fields of science and engineering. Furthermore, the E-Olympics provided a platform for the participating students to understand each other’s culture and thoughts, thereby setting the stage for creating a brighter future for Asia.

The E-Olympics was first proposed by KAIST’s Associate Vice President of the International Office, Prof. Chang Dong Yoo during the 2013 ASPIRE Forum held at Tsinghua University. As the ASPIRE League’s first student-driven program, it aimed to promote competition and achieve harmony by exercising athletic prowess and intellectual acumen. Students of KAIST’s Undergraduate Student Council – Bureau of International Relations actively participated and planned the event in coordination with the International Relations Team and the Office of Student Affairs & Policy.

Students participated in a variety of events: basketball, League of Legends tournament, a Dragon Boat race, a relay race, and a quiz showdown, as well as t;echnical tours to several of KAIST’s innovative laboratories, a student concert, a special lecture on the importance of global networking for successful entrepreneurship, and, of course, an award/closing ceremony. All participants demonstrated excellent teamwork, good sportsmanship, and mutual respect.

The results for the first ASPIRE E-Olympics are as follows:

• 1st Place: Nanyang Technological University (NTU)
• 2nd Place: Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST)
• 3rd Place: Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech)
• 4th Place: Tsinghua University
• 5th Place: KAIST*
  *As host of the ASPIRE E-Olympics, KAIST was excluded from the ranking results.

ASPIRE E-Olympics Photos:

• “KAIST to host cultural festival for Asia’s top tech universities.” The Korea Herald. Aug. 6, 2014.