EWHA WOMANS UNIVERSITY | Research

179
Ewha Launches Institute for Multiscale Matter and Systems as National Research Laboratory

Ewha Womans University held an opening ceremony for the Institute for Multiscale Matter and Systems (IMMS) on January 22 at Lee Sam-bong Hall in the Ewha Campus Complex. The occasion marked the official launch of the institute, which has been selected for the 2025 National Research Laboratory (NRL 2.0) program, a major government grant from the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Ministry of Education. Through transdisciplinary convergence research spanning chemistry, physics, materials science, and artificial intelligence, Ewha IMMS aims to drive innovation in integrated multiscale research and technology development, from atomic- and molecular-level materials design to nano- and micro-scale structures and systems. Backed by a block grant of KRW 10 billion per year for the next decade, totaling KRW 100 billion, the institute plans to integrate experimental, theoretical, AI-driven, and data-driven approaches to conduct leading research in national strategic areas, including next-generation energy materials, functional advanced materials, and intelligent systems. To mark the occasion of the institute’s launch, the opening ceremony was attended by Ewha President Hyang-Sook Lee, Chairperson Eun Mee Kim of the Board of Trustees of Ewha Womans University and IMMS Director Hoi Ri Moon, along with key figures from the Ministry of Science and ICT, the Ministry of Education, the National Research Foundation of Korea, government-funded research institutes, and from across the industry. In her welcoming remarks, President Lee emphasized that the launch will serve as an important turning point in further expanding Ewha’s role as a research university and pledged the university’s full support in ensuring IMMS’s sustainable research outcomes and its contribution to addressing national challenges. Government officials and representatives from relevant organizations also expressed high expectations for the institute’s growth into a key research hub linking university-led research innovation with Korea’s national research strategies. In her introduction, IMMS Director Hoi Ri Moon announced “One Platform, Infinite Impact” as the institute’s vision and outlined three core goals: generating world-leading research outcomes, establishing a transdisciplinary research platform, and nurturing global talents in science. She also shared plans to develop AI-based precision materials design technologies and an AI-driven autonomous laboratory, aiming to contribute to addressing challenges in climate and energy as well as advanced semiconductor fields. With the opening of its new national research laboratory IMMS, Ewha plans to further strengthen its standing as a research university and to accelerate global collaborative research and talent development in advanced fields.
- No.178
- Writer
- Date2026.01.23
- Views7119
177
Ewha Makes Debut at CES 2026 with Innovative AI-driven Technologies

Ewha Womans University’s inaugural participation in the CES 2026, one of the world’s largest technology trade shows held each year in Las Vegas, Nebraska, showcased innovative new technologies from student and faculty startups, establishing a bridge to reach global consumers. Held from January 6 to 9, the event was visited by President Hyang-Sook Lee and university administrators in support of the entrepreneurs at Ewha’s booths in the Seoul Pavilion and to facilitate networking with global buyers. This year’s CES featured Ewha startups in key future industries including AI, healthcare, and security. Student startups Uniuni Corp. and EDM Gadget respectively presented AI-driven safety solutions for people with disabilities and energy optimization technology for data centers, while the faculty startup CoreTrustLink introduced its security technology for internal control automation, all three exhibitors drawing attention from international visitors. Uniuni Corp.’s restroom guard system Savvy was named winner of a CES Innovation Award for the second consecutive year with its high-tech safety solution for detecting falls and medical emergencies in public restrooms for people with disabilities, once again earning global recognition for its technological accomplishment. Ewha’s successful debut at CES demonstrates President Hyang-Sook Lee’s initiatives in university-industry collaboration and technology commercialization resulting in tangible achievements. President Lee’s presence at CES to support Ewha startups to expand their global consumer base serves as a testament to the university’s on-the-ground approach in entrepreneurship and university-industry collaboration policies. Ewha’s Startup Support Organization provided support for the exhibitors through the entire process of their participation, ranging from booth registration and promotion to buyer matching, as well as operating its Student Supporters program at CES to offer students an opportunity to gain field experience in global business. President Hyang-Sook Lee stated that Ewha’s inaugural participation at CES introduced the competitiveness of Ewha startups’ AI-driven technologies to the global stage and that Ewha will continue to strengthen its entrepreneurial ecosystem to deliver global performance. This year’s participation at CES will serve as an opportunity for Ewha to boost university-industry collaboration and support for entrepreneurship on a global scale.
- No.176
- Writer
- Date2026.01.21
- Views7033
175
Ewha Global Excellence Program Launched to Strengthen Research Competitiveness

Ewha Global Excellence Program Launched to Strengthen Research Competitiveness Ewha Womans University has launched the Ewha Global Excellence Program (EGEP), its new large-scale research support initiative that aims at addressing the rapidly changing higher education environment and at further strengthening its position as a world-class research university. The program is a strategic initiative designed to explore convergence-driven research capabilities while expanding international collaborative research and securing mid- to large-scale research projects. Following an open call in August, a total of 31 research groups were selected through a vigorous evaluation and consultation process and officially commenced their projects on December 1. EGEP is a major new policy for Ewha, which aims at innovating the university’s research support system and strengthening international, collaborative, and convergence-driven research in order to advance its “New Era, New Ewha” vision. President Hyang-Sook Lee, the first among Ewha’s presidents from a science and technology discipline, has a clear agenda to establish a world-class research environment, focusing on international collaborative research as a key means of furthering Ewha’s achievements in natural sciences and engineering. To this end, EGEP focuses on strengthening the capabilities of research groups, expanding international collaborative research centered on distinguished scholars from abroad, and enhancing the convergence capacity of Ewha’s scholars through support for group-based research. To help researchers secure outside funding and effectively operate their projects, EGEP also offers increased administrative and institutional support. EGEP’s long-term goals include increased global competitiveness through international, collaborative, and convergence-driven research; increased participation in the fifth phase of the government’s Brain Korea 21 (BK21) Program and other mid- to large-scale research projects; the establishment of a robust large-scale group research framework; and Ewha’s contribution to solving national and societal challenges. EGEP categorizes research groups by type and track, each group receiving up to KRW 500 million per year according to budget and discipline. This initiative will provide comprehensive support across disciplines, from AI, semiconductors, biotechnology, energy, and climate, to the humanities, social sciences, and convergence research, to help Ewha push forward into a globally competitive research university.
- No.174
- Writer
- Date2025.12.09
- Views9592
173
Ewha Global Institute for Sustainable Partnership and Empowerment Selected for KOICA Project

Ewha Global Institute for Sustainable Partnership and Empowerment Selected for KOICA Project to Open Specialized Medical Center in Kenya Ewha Womans University Medical Center (EUMC) has been selected as the Project Management Consultant (PMC) for a Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) project to establish a Specialized Medical Center (SMC) in Kajiado County, Kenya. The project aims at opening a medical service specializing in obstetrics & gynecology and pediatrics in Kajiado County, Kenya, where access to healthcare is limited and maternal and neonatal mortality rates remain high. The initiative seeks to provide essential medical services to the community and contribute to strengthening the local healthcare infrastructure. At the helm of this project is the Ewha Global Institute for Sustainable Partnership and Empowerment (EGISE), which was newly established in May 2025 to serve under the direct authority of the Office of the President of Ewha Womans University. EGISE will implement the KOICA project by forming a consortium with EUMC and Hyundai Asan, with a total project value of KRW 4.78 billion that will be provided until 2030. EGISE was founded as an international cooperation platform integrating education, research, and fieldwork in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and its selection for the KOICA project is viewed as a significant milestone that marks a global expansion of the women- and child-centered healthcare model. Ewha’s selection for the project is especially meaningful as a strategic turning point for expanding Ewha Womans University Seoul Hospital’s “Mom–Baby Hospital” model for the international community. The KOICA project will require EGISE to pursue key objectives that include the strengthening of the local healthcare workforce; an upgrade of Kenya’s operational and management systems; improvement of its clinical environment through the establishment of the specialized medical center; and the enhancement of healthcare governance in Kajiado County. Specialized personnel from EUMC and the Ewha College of Medicine will provide medical consultation in obstetrics & gynecology and pediatrics, as well as support to build a local healthcare system. Ewha Medical Academy will operate education and training programs to establish a sustainable framework for the development of medical professionals. Ewha’s selection for this project is the result of international recognition for the university’s capabilities in healthcare and social contribution, and is expected to play a meaningful role in promoting maternal and child health and in expanding Korea’s healthcare system globally. Building on global partnerships, EGISE plans to further pursue its international cooperation initiatives, putting into practice Ewha’s vision, “To Lead the Era of the Great Transformation Through Inclusive Innovation.”
- No.172
- Writer
- Date2025.12.04
- Views8370
171
Ewha Selected for 2025 National Research Laboratory Program to Pioneer World Class Research Across Disciplines

Ewha Selected for 2025 National Research Laboratory Program to Pioneer World Class Research Across Disciplines The Institute for Multiscale Matter and Systems (IMMS) at Ewha Womans University has been selected for the 2025 National Research Laboratory (NRL 2.0) program, a major government grant supported by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Ministry of Education. The selection reaffirms on a national level Ewha’s long-established world-class research ecosystem and convergence research capabilities, conferring the school with the mission to serve for the next ten years as a research hub for Korea’s national strategic technologies to addresses the challenges of the future. The NRL 2.0 program was launched in 2025 as a core national strategy initiative for science and technology, with an aim to foster research institutions that reach beyond basic science, toward problem-solving, convergence-driven research addressing complex technological and industrial challenges. Following the call for proposals in April, preliminary and pitch evaluations were carried out, resulting in the selection of four institutes, including Ewha IMMS. Through the NRL 2.0 program, Ewha IMMS will receive a block grant of KRW 10 billion annually for ten years, amounting to a total of KRW 100 billion, and will take the lead in conducting problem-solving, convergence-driven research centered on multiscale materials, addressing issues related to national strategic technologies and various challenges for the mankind. IMMS’s operation plan comprises technical groups (TG) for basic research, to focus on specialization in the national strategic technologies, and core projects (CP) for application and expansion, aiming at solving Korea’s national challenges; the two branches which will be managed as a matrix structure to simultaneously pursue advancement and expansion in research. Each CP will partner with prominent institutions at Harvard University, ETH Zurich, University College London and other leading universities to expand Ewha’s international collaborative research and to strengthening university-industry collaboration, which will help develop Ewha into an innovative global research platform. IMMS Director Hoi Ri Moon remarked, “Ewha’s research teams have already produced numerous internationally recognized achievements,” adding, “The decisive factor in Ewha’s selection for NRL 2.0 was the university’s capabilities and potential for growth in advanced technology.” Professor Moon underscored the institute’s vision and strong commitment, saying, “Through convergence research that crosses disciplinary boundaries, we are determined to solve Korea’s national challenges in science and technology.” Ewha’s selection for NRL 2.0 is a concrete outcome of Ewha’s future strategy. With IMMS at the center of its vision for the future, Ewha will embark on expanding global collaborative research platforms, and on solving challenges while developing new industries related to AI-based precision materials design, climate and energy, advanced semiconductors, and secondary batteries. Through its efforts in research innovation and world-class collaboration to address the challenges of our time, the university plans to evolve into a global research university contributing to scientific and technological advancement beyond Korea. Ewha President Hyang-Sook Lee issued a message underlining the university’s vision for the project, emphasizing that “the goal of the NRL 2.0 program, which is to pioneer world-class innovative research, aligns perfectly with Ewha’s vision. It will be an opportunity for Ewha’s IMMS, composed of research teams with outstanding capabilities, to grow into a global innovative research institute in material technologies.”
- No.170
- Writer
- Date2025.12.01
- Views19833
169
Ewha Research Team Develops Real-Time Workload Measurement System for Nurses

Ewha Research Team Develops Real-Time Workload Measurement System for Nurses A joint research team from Ewha Womans University’s Colleges of Nursing and Engineering has developed a real-time, location-based system designed to objectively assess nursing workload. The study was published in the internationally recognized Journal of Nursing Management (nursing field top 3.1%). Currently, nurse staffing shortages pose a global challenge. In Korea, the number of patients per nurse is two to five times higher than the OECD average, resulting in a significant workload burden. Traditional methods such as supervisor observation or self-reporting are susceptible to bias and inaccuracies, making them unreliable for workforce planning. To address this, the research team developed a beacon-based system that records nurses’ real-time movement within hospital wards. The system consists of four components: beacons (data-generating devices), a smartphone app (for nurses), a server, and a database. Beacons installed in key areas, such as hospital rooms, hallways, and medication rooms, emit signals. These signals are captured by nurses’ smartphones, transmitted to a server, and then stored in a database. Experimental results showed a recognition rate of up to 97.5 percent with a setup of 12-15 beacons and one smartphone, demonstrating high accuracy. This system enables the objective measurement of nurses’ travel distance, working hours, and movement patterns. The research team plans to integrate AI and big data analytics to develop predictive models tailored to hospital types, departments, and shifts. This is expected to optimize staffing, lower turnover, and improve patient safety and overall care quality. Professor Younhee Kang stated, “This system represents the first technical approach to the precise measurement of nursing workload. It is expected to serve as a core tool for rational workforce allocation and improving the quality of healthcare services.” This research is the outcome of a convergence project supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea and the Institute of Information & Communications Technology Planning & Evaluation (IITP), which has been ongoing since 2021.
- No.168
- Writer
- Date2025.10.10
- Views20584
167
Ewha Womans University Signs MOU with Seoul Energy Corporation to Promote ESG Values and Social Contribution

Ewha Womans University Signs MOU with Seoul Energy Corporation to Promote ESG Values and Social Contribution Ewha Womans University signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Seoul Energy Corporation in the Pfeiffer Hall reception room on Wednesday, September 24, to promote ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) values and contribute to the local community. This agreement aims to implement ESG-based joint projects such as energy and environmental education donations, youth career exploration programs, and carbon neutrality campaigns, while establishing a sustainable community cooperation framework. The two institutions agreed to collaborate in the following areas: operating joint projects for promoting ESG values and developing the local community; operating energy and environmental education and career exploration programs; public interest activities, including working towards carbon neutrality and expanding renewable energy use; and cooperating on research, seminars, and campaigns. Ewha plans to actively identify and develop educational, research, and outreach programs to promote ESG values and contribute to the local community, while systematically operating energy and environmental education donation programs and career experience initiatives. Ewha will also expand opportunities for students to actively learn and practice the values of ESG and sustainability through activities such as energy conservation, carbon neutrality, and various collaborative efforts, including research, seminars, and campaigns. In particular, the newly established Ewha Global Institute for Sustainable Partnership and Empowerment (EGISE) is expected to take the lead in planning and managing collaborative projects, integrally connecting the university’s efforts in education, research, and social contribution. This initiative aims to generate structural and sustainable outcomes in the fields of energy and environment, contribute to the nationwide expansion of ESG values, and foster practical leaders who will spearhead future societal transformation. Going forward, Ewha will actively leverage both internal and external educational resources and infrastructure to operate educational and career exploration programs in the energy and environmental sectors. By providing students with hands-on ESG experiences, the university aims to nurture future leaders who will drive a sustainable society.
- No.166
- Writer
- Date2025.10.01
- Views23018
165
Ewha Womans University Signs MOU with KISTI on AI, Biotechnology, and Supercomputing

Ewha Womans University Signs MOU with KISTI on AI, Biotechnology, and Supercomputing Ewha Womans University signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information (KISTI) on Monday, September 22, in the Pfeiffer Hall conference room, to promote research cooperation and talent cultivation in the fields of AI, biotechnology, and supercomputing. This MOU was initiated with the aim of strengthening academia-research cooperation in supercomputing as well as science and technology, and of expanding and advancing research in AI, biotechnology, and innovative drug development. The two institutions agreed to collaborate in a wide range of areas, including joint R&D, shared use of technical information and enterprise support systems, cooperative research in supercomputing and its applications, technology transfer and competitiveness enhancement, and the establishment of support networks. Based on this agreement, Ewha and KISTI will work toward tangible outcomes in research collaboration, talent development, and technology exchange, ultimately leading global cutting-edge research, advancing national strategic technologies, and contributing significantly to cultivating world-class talent. President Hyang-sook Lee emphasized the significance of the partnership, stating, “This agreement marks a meaningful starting point in alignment with national policy directions. Through joint research in AI, biotechnology, and supercomputing, we aim to generate globally leading outcomes and contribute to our aim of developing world-class talent and fostering an innovative research ecosystem.” KISTI President Sik Lee commented, “By combining the strengths and expertise of both institutions, we expect to create strong synergy and achieve innovative research results. We will continue to actively pursue cooperation between the two institutions in talent development and technology exchange.” In March, Ewha’s Global AI Drug Discovery Center signed an academic and research cooperation agreement with KISTI’s Digital Bio Computing Research Division. Through joint efforts in industry-academia research collaboration, the two institutions are developing and continuously enhancing an AI-based drug discovery platform within the Korea BioData Station (K-BDS), taking the lead in innovative drug development research.
- No.164
- Writer
- Date2025.09.30
- Views16096
163
Ewha Selected for Brain Korea21 FOUR (Research Project)

Ewha Womans University has been selected for the educational research group in the field of artificial intelligence under the Innovation Talent Training Program of the Phase-4 Brain Korea 21 Project, supported by the Ministry of Education and the National Research Foundation of Korea. The selected group, Trustworthy and Resource-efficient Unified Evolving AI (Ewha TRUE-AI), led by Dr. DaeHun Nyang, is spearheading the development of next-generation core AI technologies that integrate both high trustworthiness and resource efficiency, while establishing Ewha as a national hub for cultivating advanced women experts in AI. The BK21 initiative, launched in 1999, is Korea’s largest graduate school innovation and researcher training project. The ongoing Phase 4 Project (2020–2027) focuses on nurturing research personnel in new industry sectors. In light of the rapid advances in AI technology and surging demand for AI aptitude, the Ministry of Education added artificial intelligence as a new category in 2025 through a supplementary budget. As part of this expansion, a total of 17 educational research groups nationwide, including Ewha TRUE-AI, have been selected to lead the future of AI innovation. Ewha TRUE-AI is one of four educational groups newly added, consisting of 12 faculty members from the College of Artificial Intelligence and 60 graduate students. The research group presents a vision of training specialists versed in lightweight, optimized AI technologies and security, with the aim to address computing costs, energy consumption, and security challenges inherent in hyper-scale AI services. Moreover, given that women make up only 22 percent of domestic science and engineering doctoral students, the initiative aspires to reduce the gender imbalance by focusing on women-centered AI talent development. Ewha TRUE-AI will also leverage Ewha’s state-of-the-art infrastructure—such as the stable foundation provided by the Division of Artificial Intelligence and Software and high-performance computing clusters—to carry out empirical research. Graduate students participating in the research group will be granted research scholarships of KRW 1,000,000 for master’s degrees and KRW 1,600,000 for doctoral degrees, along with support for personnel expenses, opportunities to participate in international joint research, and programs to invite distinguished overseas scholars. These support measures aim to help students grow into next-generation AI experts who are competitive in industries and the global stage. This selection also aligns with Ewha’s strategic development plan of “New Era, New Ewha,” under the core objective of “Great Transformation of Higher Education in the AI era.” Following the preemptive establishment of infrastructure such as the Major in Artificial Intelligence (2022), the Graduate School of Data Science, and the College of Artificial Intelligence (2023), as well as Ewha’s selection for the G-LAMP initiative, this latest recognition reaffirms Ewha’s unparalleled standing in AI. Through this program, Ewha expects to receive approximately KRW 800 million annually through 2027. With this support, the university plans to sustain world-class research outputs, expand industry–university collaboration, elevate national and international AI competitiveness, and strengthen the global leadership capabilities of talented women.
- No.162
- Writer
- Date2025.09.24
- Views31261
161
Two Projects Selected for 2025 Humanities and Social Sciences Research Support Program

Two Ewha researchers won major grants for the “2025 Humanities and Social Sciences Research Support Program,” reaffirming the university’s status as a leading research hub for the humanities and social sciences in the country. Launched in 1963 and led by the Ministry of Education and the National Research Foundation of Korea,, the program is a flagship national R&D initiative that aims to strengthen the capabilities of researchers, foster the next generation of scholars, and to build a foundation for collaborative research at university-affiliated institutes. Prof. Soyeon Kim The first grant was awarded to tThe Korean Culture Research Institute. Funded by the “Humanities and Social Sciences Research Institute Support Project,” the Institute will receive a total of KRW 1.98 billion over the next six years to develop a database for the “Encyclopedia of Modern Korean Kitchen Material Culture.” The principal investigator, Professor Soyeon Kim at the Department of Art History, stated, “The kitchen space constitutes a remarkable research subject where diverse elements converge, including food culture, industrial technology, design, and gender.” She emphasized the project’s mission to document and preserve modern and contemporary kitchen culture as preliminary cultural heritage. This project carries particular significance as it ensures the continuity of material culture studies covering the Joseon Dynasty to the modern era, following the Institute’s 2019 database project on Joseon-era craft. Prof. Min Hee Go Another grant was awarded to tthe research team led by Professor Min Hee Go of the Department of Political Science & International Relations. Funded by the “Social Sciences Korea (SSK) Global Agenda Research Program,” the project, titled “Unpacking the Algorithmic Diffusion of Animosities: Data-Driven Approaches to Social Frictions in Korea,” consists of an interdisciplinary team of experts in political science, data science, and economics and aims to refine the theoretical concept of animosities and empirically examine the causes and consequences of animosities in politics. To this end, they propose to analyze AI- and algorithm-driven diffusion and reproduction patterns and compare them with conventional public opinion. Professor Go noted, “Korean society has entered an era where antipathy is being expressed in multi-faceted ways.,” She further added that “We hope our study can contribute to promoting social cohesion and coexistence in the polarized society.”
- No.160
- Writer
- Date2025.09.10
- Views48932

Research News