The Association of Korean Woman Scientists and Engineers (KWSE) was founded in 1993 by women scientists and engineers in academia, research institutes, and industry. The first of its kind in South Korea, the association is dedicated to the development of science and technology in South Korea and raising the status of women in the country. As of 2016, the KWSE has about 1,500 members, of which over 1,000 have Ph.D. degrees.
Major activities and achievements
Developing policies for fostering women scientists and engineers, establishing research infrastructure, and raising the status of women in science and technology
Disseminating scientific culture with the goal of popularizing science and encouraging talented women to enter science and engineering fields
Strengthening cooperation with international organizations and global leadership capacity
Promoting collaborative research in multidisciplinary fields through information exchange
Expanding participation in national evaluation committees through the establishment and development on databases of women experts
August, 1993: Promotion meeting held for the establishment of the Association of Korean Woman Scientists and Engineers (KWSE)
September, 1993: KWSE founded, Dr. Sae Hwa Oh inaugurated as the first president
September, 1995: Registered as a non-profi public organization at the Ministry of Science & Technology (MOST)
June, 1997: Joined the Korean Federation of Science and Technology Societies (KOFST)
January, 1998: Dr. Sae Hwa Oh inaugurated as the second president
January, 2000: Dr. Kwang Hwa Jeong inaugurated as the third president
January, 2002: Dr. Kwang Hwa Jeong inaugurated as the fourth president
July, 2002: Joined the International Network of Women Engineers and Scientists (INWES) as an organizational member
December, 2002: Received Korea National Assembly Science and Technology Award for the Science and Technology Society of the Year (National Assembly)
February, 2003: Established the Busan-Gyeongnam Regional Branch
May, 2003: Established the Gwangju-Jeonnam Regional Branch
July, 2003: Received Minister’s Citation during the 8th Woman’s Week from the MOGEF (Minister of Gender Equality & Family)
January, 2004: Dr. Myung Hee Jung inaugurated as the fifth president
July, 2004: Established the Daegu-Gyeongbuk Regional Branch
August, 2005: Hosted International Conference of Women Engineers and Scientists 13 (ICWES13)
January, 2006: Dr. Kong-Joo Lee inaugurated as the sixth president
January, 2008: Dr. Mi Sook Won inaugurated as the seventh president
January, 2010: Dr. Byung Joo Min inaugurated as the eighth president
April, 2010: Received Outstanding Implementation of NIS-WIST Support Projects
July, 2011: Received Prime Minister’s Citation during the 16th Woman’s Week from the MOGEF
January, 2012: Dr. Yong Hyun Shin inaugurated as the ninth president
November, 2013: Received A Presidential Citation Award in the Innopolis 40th Anniversary from the Daedeok Research Development Area
January, 2014: Dr. Sung Ok Han inaugurated as the tenth president
January, 2016: Dr. Haryoung Poo inaugurated as the eleventh president
Association of Korean Woman Scientists and Engineers (KWSE) Wikipedia (Text) CC BY-SA
