KAIST

KAIST, the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, is a public science and technology research university in Daejeon, South Korea, and is the country's first and foremost institute of its kind dedicated to advanced study and research.KAIST（韩国科学技术院；英文全称 Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology）是韩国大田的一所公立科学技术研究型大学，是韩国首屈一指、也是第一所此类高等学府，专注于前沿的研究与生教育。

It was established in 1971 as the nation's first research oriented graduate school in science and technology and began offering undergraduate degree programmes in 1986, broadening from a purely graduate institution.该校于 1971 年创立，是韩国第一所以科研为导向的科学技术研究生院，并在 1986 年开始开设本科项目，从纯粹的研究生机构拓展为完整大学。

In the QS World University Rankings 2027 KAIST is placed 65th in the world, and it enrolled about 12,348 students with 731 faculty members as of its most recent published institutional profile.在 2027 年 QS 世界大学排名中，KAIST 位列世界第 65 位；根据其最新公布的校情资料，该校约有 12,348 名学生与 731 名教员。

History

• The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology was established in 1971 as the nation's first research oriented graduate school in science and technology, answering a national need for advanced scientists and engineers.韩国科学技术院于 1971 年创立，是韩国第一所以科研为导向的科学技术研究生院，回应了国家对高层次科学家与工程师的需求。
• It opened on 16 February 1971 in Seoul under the name Korea Institute of Science, abbreviated KAIS, within the Hongneung research complex on the site of a former agricultural research station.1971 年 2 月 16 日，学校在首尔以「韩国科学院」（简称 KAIS）之名于弘陵研究园区内开办。
• In 1973 the first class of 106 master's students entered the institute, and in 1975 it awarded its first 92 master's degrees, beginning its record of graduate education.1973 年首批 106 名硕士生入学，1975 年学校颁发了首批 92 个硕士学位，开启了研究生教育的历史。
• In December 1980 KAIS merged with the Korea Institute of Science and Technology and adopted the name KAIST, linking research training with a major national laboratory.1980 年 12 月，韩国科学院与韩国科学技术研究院合并，并更名为 KAIST，将科研训练与国家级实验室相结合。
• In 1986 KAIST began offering undergraduate degree programmes, broadening its mission from a purely graduate school to a full university.1986 年 KAIST 开始开设本科项目，将其使命从纯粹的研究生院扩展为完整的大学。
• In 1989 KAIST separated from KIST, moved its main campus from Seoul to Daejeon, and merged with the Korea Institute of Technology, opening its so called Daedeok era in the science city.1989 年 KAIST 从韩国科学技术研究院分出，将主校区由首尔迁至大田，并与韩国科技大学合并，开启了在大德科学城的「大德时代」。
• In March 2009 KAIST merged with the Information and Communications University, a public university founded in 1997 in Daejeon with a focus on information technology research.2009 年 3 月，KAIST 与韩国信息通信大学合并，后者是 1997 年在大田创立、以信息技术研究为特色的公立大学。
• The founding philosophy, articulated by Dr Chung Kun-Mo, held that developing countries find the driving force for economic development in science and technology.由郑根谟博士提出的建校理念认为，发展中国家推动经济发展的动力在于科学技术。
• Dr Sang-Soo Lee, the first president and a physicist, designated purple as the official colour of KAIST, and the institute marked its 50th anniversary on 18 February 2021.首任校长、物理学家李相洙将紫色定为 KAIST 的正式校色，学校在 2021 年 2 月 18 日迎来了建校 50 周年。
• In 2006 a graft of Sir Isaac Newton's apple tree, which inspired the law of universal gravitation, was planted on the campus and still bears fruit each year as a symbol of discovery.2006 年，启发万有引力定律的牛顿苹果树的一株嫁接枝条被植于校园，至今每年结果，成为探索精神的象征。
• In 2018 the main library reopened as the Academic Cultural Complex, providing collaborative workspaces, an idea factory, an auditorium and a sky lounge for academic and cultural events.2018 年主图书馆以「学术文化复合体」之名重新开放，提供协作空间、创意工坊、礼堂与空中休息厅，用于学术与文化活动。
• KAIST's Daedeok campus sits within Daedeok Innopolis, the largest scientific and technological research and development cluster in South Korea, alongside government and private institutes.KAIST 的大德校区位于大德研究园地之内，这是韩国最大的科技研发集群，云集了政府与民间研究机构。
• The university operates three campuses, namely the main campus and the Munji campus in Daejeon and a campus in Seoul, giving it a presence in the capital and the science city.学校运营三个校区，分别是位于大田的主校区与文智校区，以及位于首尔的校区，使其在首都与科学城均有立足点。
• KAIST adopted an open major system allowing undergraduates to explore fields of interest and then choose a major by the end of their first academic year.KAIST 实行开放专业制度，允许本科生先探索感兴趣的领域，再于第一学年结束前确定专业。
• The Education 3.0 programme, implemented since 2012, combines online lectures with in class discussion to encourage active, technology assisted learning.自 2012 年起实施的「教育 3.0」项目将在线课程与课堂讨论相结合，以推动主动的、借助技术的学习。
• KAIST has maintained a larger population of graduate students than undergraduates since its establishment, reinforcing its identity as a research intensive university.自建校以来，KAIST 的研究生人数一直多于本科生，强化了其作为研究密集型大学的定位。
• The university uses English as the official language of communication for research, teaching and administration, making its campus unusually international for South Korea.学校以英语作为科研、教学与管理的官方沟通语言，使其校园在韩国高校中显得格外国际化。
• In August 1992 KAIST developed and launched KITSAT 1, also known as Our Star 1, South Korea's first satellite, marking the start of the nation's space programme.1992 年 8 月，KAIST 研制并发射了韩国第一颗卫星「我们的星 1 号」（KITSAT 1），开启了韩国的太空计划。
• In 1995 KAIST researchers developed a 386 microprocessor, an early milestone in Korean semiconductor design that built domestic capability.1995 年，KAIST 研究人员研制出 386 微处理器，这是韩国半导体设计领域的早期里程碑，奠定了本土研发能力。
• In 2004 KAIST researchers unveiled HUBO, the first Korean bipedal humanoid robot, launching a robotics programme that later won the 2015 DARPA challenge.2004 年，KAIST 研究人员推出 HUBO，这是韩国第一台双足人形机器人，由此开启了后来赢得 2015 年 DARPA 挑战赛的机器人项目。
• In 1978, then still operating as KAIS, the institute awarded its first doctoral degrees, completing the full spectrum of bachelor's, master's and PhD education it offers today.1978 年，当时仍称 KAIS 的学院授予了首批博士学位，由此完成了如今学士、硕士与博士的完整教育体系。
• As of its published profile KAIST comprised 5 colleges, 7 schools and 13 graduate schools spanning about 27 departments and divisions across science and engineering.根据其公布的校情资料，KAIST 设有 5 个学院、7 个学部与 13 个研究生院，横跨约 27 个学科与学系。

Academics

• KAIST is organised into 5 colleges, 7 schools and 13 graduate schools, covering science, engineering, computing, business and the liberal arts at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.KAIST 下设 5 个学院、7 个学部与 13 个研究生院，在本科与研究生层面覆盖科学、工程、计算、商学与人文领域。
• Its departments span about 27 fields, including electrical engineering, computer science, mechanical engineering, materials science, the life sciences and the mathematical sciences.其学科涵盖约 27 个领域，包括电气工程、计算机科学、机械工程、材料科学、生命科学与数理科学等。
• KAIST enrolled about 12,348 students as of its most recent profile, of whom 4,009 were undergraduates and 8,339 were postgraduate students including master's, doctoral and joint programmes.根据最新校情资料，KAIST 约有 12,348 名学生，其中本科生 4,009 人，研究生（含硕士、博士及硕博连读）8,339 人。
• The faculty numbers 731, with 137 international faculty members drawn from 22 countries, while the total staff of the institute stands at 1,638.该校教员共 731 人，其中 137 人为来自 22 个国家的国际教员，全校职员总计 1,638 人。
• Roughly 929 international students study at KAIST, making the campus a diverse, globally oriented community within South Korea.约有 929 名国际学生在 KAIST 就读，使校园成为韩国境内一个多元而具全球取向的社群。
• In the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025 KAIST ranked 24th in the world in Engineering and Technology and 18th in Materials Science, leading South Korea in both fields.在 2025 年 QS 世界大学学科排名中，KAIST 在工程与技术位列世界第 24 位、在材料科学位列第 18 位，均在韩国居首。
• The same subject tables placed it 22nd in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, 27th in Mechanical Engineering and 29th in Computer Science and Information Systems.同一学科排名将其列为电气与电子工程第 22 位、机械工程第 27 位、计算机科学与信息系统第 29 位。
• KAIST is especially strong in information technology, having built Asia's first internet system in 1982 and the nation's first artificial intelligence research centre in 1990.KAIST 在信息技术方面尤为突出，于 1982 年建成亚洲首个互联网系统，并于 1990 年设立韩国首个人工智能研究中心。
• The university's research enterprise includes Institutes for Basic Science centres and numerous laboratories focused on robotics, bioscience, energy and advanced materials.学校的科研体系包括基础科学研究所的中心以及众多聚焦机器人、生物科学、能源与先进材料的实验室。
• KAIST Innovation supports student and faculty start ups, and alumni had founded more than 1,900 companies with combined assets of about 94 trillion won as of late 2023.KAIST 创新机构扶持学生与教员的创业，截至 2023 年底，校友创办的企业已超过 1,900 家，总资产约 94 万亿韩元。
• The Graduate School of Science and Technology Policy and the business school train technology managers and entrepreneurs who bridge research and industry.科技政策研究生院与商学院培养联结科研与产业的技术管理者与企业家。
• KAIST provides generous scholarships, research grants and living expenses, and historically exempted its students from mandatory military service while they studied.KAIST 提供丰厚的奖学金、科研资助与生活补贴，并在历史上让学生在求学期间免除义务兵役。
• The university's English taught programmes and the KAIST International Student Office serve a growing body of exchange and degree seeking students from around the world.学校的英语授课项目与国际学生办公室服务着日益增多的来自世界各地的交换与学位学生。
• KAIST maintains cooperative research ties with leading universities across Asia, including partners in China, and hosts visiting scholars and students from many countries.KAIST 与亚洲各地的顶尖大学保持合作研究关系，包括中国的院校，并接待来自多国的访问学者与学生。
• KAIST's budget for the 2019 fiscal year was about 856 billion won, of which roughly 24 percent came from the Korean government and about 40 percent from research grants.KAIST 在 2019 财年的预算约为 8560 亿韩元，其中约 24% 来自韩国政府，约 40% 来自科研经费。
• As of a recent institutional profile KAIST counted about 79,111 alumni, including 21,821 bachelor's, 40,465 master's and 16,825 doctoral graduates worldwide.根据近期的校情资料，KAIST 校友约 79,111 人，其中学士 21,821 人、硕士 40,465 人、博士 16,825 人，遍布全球。
• Several Institutes for Basic Science centres are hosted on KAIST campuses, supporting basic research in fields ranging from nanoscience to cognitive and brain science.KAIST 校区内设有多个基础科学研究所的中心，支持从纳米科学到认知与脑科学的基础研究。
• KAIST operates national research centres and cooperates with agencies such as the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) and the National Research Foundation of Korea.KAIST 运营多个国家研究中心，并与韩国科学技术研究院（KIST）、韩国电子通信研究院（ETRI）以及韩国研究财团（NRF）等机构合作。

Campus

• KAIST's main campus is located in Daejeon, about 50 minutes from Seoul by high speed train, within the Daedeok Innopolis research cluster in the Yuseong district.KAIST 的主校区位于大田，乘高铁距首尔约 50 分钟，坐落在大德研究园地之内，属儒城区。
• The university also operates the Munji Campus in Daejeon and a campus in Seoul, giving it a presence both in the capital and in the science city.学校还运营位于大田的文智校区以及位于首尔的校区，使其在首都与科学城皆有布局。
• The main campus is known for its distinctive landmarks, including the 10.7 metre tall granite Main Gate whose two towers symbolise science and technology.主校区以独具特色的地标闻名，包括高 10.7 米的花岗岩主校门，两翼塔楼分别象征科学与技术。
• The Academic Cultural Complex, reopened in 2018 as the main library, contains the bulk of KAIST's collections and provides collaborative and cultural spaces for the community.2018 年以主图书馆身份重新开放的学术文化复合体收藏了 KAIST 大部分馆藏，并为社群提供协作与文化空间。
• A duck pond and roaming geese are a cherished campus feature, and vehicles must make a full stop to let the geese cross the roads, a unique campus tradition.鸭池与漫步的雁群是校园深受喜爱的景致，车辆必须完全停车为过马路的雁群让路，这是独特的校园传统。
• The Carillon of Great Scholars, gifted by alumni for the university's 20th anniversary, and the Statue of Jang Young-Sil reflect the campus's celebration of scientific heritage.由校友在校庆 20 周年赠送的「学者钟琴」以及张永实铜像，体现了校园对科学传统的致敬。
• Student dormitories provide more than 7,600 beds across 21 on campus residences, accommodating the majority of students who choose to live on campus.学生宿舍在 21 处校内住宅中提供超过 7600 个床位，容纳了大多数选择住校的学生。

Reputation

• In the QS World University Rankings 2027 KAIST is placed 65th in the world, ranking first in South Korea among science and technology focused universities.在 2027 年 QS 世界大学排名中，KAIST 位列世界第 65 位，在韩国的科技类大学中居首。
• The U.S. News Best Global Universities 2026 to 2027 edition ranks KAIST 245th in the world and among the top institutions in Asia for engineering.2026 至 2027 年版美国新闻与世界报道最佳全球大学排名将 KAIST 列为世界第 245 位，是亚洲工程领域的顶尖学府之一。
• In the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025 KAIST ranked 24th globally in Engineering and Technology, the highest position of any Korean institution in that field.在 2025 年 QS 世界大学学科排名中，KAIST 在工程与技术位列全球第 24 位，是韩国院校在该领域的最高名次。
• The same subject league tables placed KAIST 18th in Materials Science, 22nd in Electrical and Electronic Engineering and 27th in Mechanical Engineering.同一学科排名将 KAIST 列为材料科学第 18 位、电气与电子工程第 22 位、机械工程第 27 位。
• KAIST was named Asia's most innovative university for several years in the mid 2010s by a major international ranking, recognising its strong entrepreneurship ecosystem.在 2010 年代中期的数年里，KAIST 被一家重要的国际排名评为亚洲最具创新力大学，肯定其强大的创业生态。
• The OpenAlex database attributes 118,061 works to KAIST with 9,617,720 citations, reflecting its rapidly growing and increasingly cited research output.OpenAlex 数据库为 KAIST 收录 118,061 篇成果，被引用 9,617,720 次，反映其快速增长且引用不断提升的科研产出。
• KAIST alumni had founded more than 1,900 companies, including globally recognised technology firms, creating about 61,230 jobs as of late 2023.KAIST 校友创办了超过 1,900 家企业，包括全球知名的科技公司，截至 2023 年底创造了约 61,230 个就业岗位。
• The institute consistently ranks among the world's top 100 universities in engineering and technology according to the QS subject league tables and other global surveys.依据 QS 学科排名与其他全球调查，KAIST 在工程与技术领域长期位居世界前 100 名大学之列。
• KAIST rose rapidly in global standing, reaching 40th in the 2019 QS World University Rankings and 1st in Asia's Most Innovative University rankings for several years.KAIST 的全球地位迅速攀升，在 2019 年 QS 世界大学排名中位列第 40 位，并连续数年位居亚洲最具创新力大学榜首。
• The institute holds exchange and double-degree agreements with universities across the region, among them the National University of Singapore and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.该校与区域内多所大学签有交换与双学位协议，其中包括新加坡国立大学与香港科技大学。

Student life

• KAIST's official colour is purple, designated by its first president Sang-Soo Lee, who chose it for its association with the highest quantum energy and with progress and pride.KAIST 的正式校色为紫色，由首任校长李相洙定下，他因紫色与最高量子能量以及进步、自豪的关联而选择了它。
• The school song was composed when KAIST was established in 1971 by poet Mok-Wol Park and composer Tae-Joon Park, and is sung at official ceremonies.校歌于 1971 年建校时由诗人朴木月与作曲家朴泰俊创作，并在各类官方典礼上演唱。
• A beloved mascot named Nubzuki, depicting the quirky character of KAIST students, was created in 2014 and is widely used across the campus community.名为 Nubzuki、刻画 KAIST 学生独特气质的吉祥物于 2014 年诞生，在校园社群中广受欢迎。
• The duck pond and the legal right of way given to geese crossing campus roads have become one of the most recognisable student traditions at KAIST.鸭池以及雁群过马路时车辆必须让路的惯例，已成为 KAIST 最著名的校园传统之一。
• Student clubs and the dormitory culture foster a vibrant campus life, with more than 21 on campus residences housing most of the student body.学生社团与宿舍文化共同营造了充满活力的校园生活，21 处以上校内宿舍容纳了大部分学生。
• KAIST celebrates its founding anniversary and annual festivals that bring together students, faculty and alumni at the Daedeok campus for sports and cultural events.KAIST 庆祝建校纪念日与年度节日，在德大校区汇聚学生、教员与校友，举办体育与文化活动。
• As English is the official language of communication, student life blends Korean and international cultures, with many foreign students participating in societies and teams.由于英语是官方沟通语言，校园生活融合了韩国与多元国际文化，许多外国学生参与到社团与团队之中。

Notable people

• Dr Chung Kun-Mo proposed the establishment of KAIST in his report on building a Korean institute of science and technology, shaping the founding mission of the institute.郑根谟博士在其关于设立韩国科学技术院的报告书中提出了建校构想，奠定了学院的创办使命。
• Dr Sang-Soo Lee, the first president and a physicist, led KAIST in its early development and designated purple as the university's official colour.首任校长、物理学家李相洙在 KAIST 的早期发展中发挥领导作用，并将紫色定为学校的正式校色。
• Professor Jun-Ho Oh of mechanical engineering led Team KAIST to win the 2015 DARPA Robotics Challenge with the humanoid robot DRC-HUBO plus and was awarded the 2016 Ho-Am Prize in engineering.机械工程学教授吴俊镐带领 KAIST 队凭借人形机器人「DRC-HUBO plus」赢得 2015 年 DARPA 机器人挑战赛，并于 2016 年获湖岩工程奖。
• Professor Baek Mu-Hyun of chemistry won the 2021 POSCO ChungAm Award in science for his pioneering work in computational catalysis and reaction design.化学系教授白武铉因在计算催化与反应设计方面的开创性工作获得 2021 年浦项青岩奖（科学奖）。
• Professor Min-H. Kim of the School of Computing received a 2022 ACM SIGGRAPH Technical Paper Award Honorable Mention and was elected to the National Academy of Engineering of Korea in 2025.计算学院教授金珉赫获得 2022 年 ACM SIGGRAPH 技术论文奖荣誉提名，并于 2025 年当选韩国国家工程院院士。
• Kim Beom-Su, who earned his bachelor's degree in 1989, founded the messaging and fintech giant Kakao and became one of South Korea's leading technology entrepreneurs.金范洙于 1989 年取得学士学位，创办了通讯与金融科技巨头 Kakao，成为韩国领先的科技企业家之一。
• Bang Si-Hyuk, a 1997 computer science graduate, founded the entertainment company HYBE behind the global K-pop group BTS and built a worldwide music enterprise.方时赫于 1997 年从计算机科学专业毕业，创办了旗下拥有 BTS 等全球 K-pop 团体的娱乐公司 HYBE。
• Kwon Oh-Hyun, a KAIST master's graduate, served as Vice Chairman and CEO of Samsung Electronics and led the company's semiconductor division to global leadership.权五铉是 KAIST 硕士毕业生，曾任三星电子副会长兼首席执行官，带领公司半导体部门取得全球领先。
• KAIST alumni have founded or led many of South Korea's most important technology firms, including semiconductor, robotics and artificial intelligence companies.KAIST 校友创办或领导了韩国众多最重要的科技企业，涵盖半导体、机器人与人工智能等领域。
• KAIST maintains research partnerships with leading universities across Asia, including institutions in China, and enrolls a substantial number of students from China each year.KAIST 与亚洲各地的顶尖大学保持研究伙伴关系，包括中国的院校，并每年招收相当数量的中国学生。
• Lee Kwang-Hyung, a KAIST electrical engineering alumnus, served as president of the university from 2021 and promoted its culture of technology entrepreneurship.李光炯（音）是 KAIST 电气工程校友，自 2021 年起担任校长，并大力推动学校的技术创业文化。