Welcome Message

Dear Members of the Korean Ceramic Society,

The year 2025, the Year of the Blue Snake, has dawned upon us. The Blue Snake symbolizes wisdom and transformation, heralding a year of new challenges and boundless possibilities. I sincerely hope this auspicious energy inspires success and fulfillment in all your endeavors. This year brings me immense honor and a great sense of responsibility as I step into the role of the 46th president. Building on the Society's 70-year legacy, I am committed to fostering continued growth and laying the groundwork for a new era of progress.

The Korean Ceramic Society has long played a pivotal role in bridging academic advancements with industrial applications in the field of ceramics. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated our shift into an "untact" (contactless) era, presenting new opportunities for the ceramics industry. Cutting-edge fields such as next-generation communications, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, smart sensors, and energy storage now place ceramics at the forefront of innovation. Ceramics are poised to become indispensable core materials in various industries, and I aim to solidify our Society's vision into the following goals:

1. Elevating Ceramics as a National Strategic Technology

Ceramics are essential for advanced technologies like next-generation semiconductors and displays, secondary batteries, and aerospace, as well as for achieving carbon neutrality. By strengthening collaboration with government agencies, we will advocate for ceramics to be recognized as critical materials in master plans for science and technology, national strategic technologies, and advanced industrial supply chains. The Society will also provide a robust academic foundation to ensure ceramics feature prominently in national R&D investment strategies.

2. Fostering Young Ceramists and Expanding Member Participation

The sustainability of our Society relies on the engagement of younger generations. We will expand poster presentation sessions and job-matching programs at academic conferences to provide opportunities for doctoral candidates and master's researchers to showcase their achievements and connect with industry leaders. To further encourage young ceramists, we will establish the Minister of Science and ICT Award to honor their research and potential. We will also lower barriers for young members to actively participate in the Society's operations, incorporating their passion and creative ideas into our activities.

3. Strengthening International Networks and Academic Standing

The Korean Ceramic Society has been enhancing its global presence through partnerships with the European Ceramic Society and the Ceramic Society of Japan. Key events this year, such as the European-Korean Symposium in Dresden, Germany, and the joint Korea-Japan symposium during our Fall Meeting, will provide valuable opportunities to deepen academic exchanges and expand global networks. While direct collaboration with the American Ceramic Society (ACerS) has been limited, we have maintained ties through the ACerS Korea Chapter Symposium for several years. Building on this foundation, we plan to initiate more active engagement with ACerS. We will also continue to enhance the international stature of the Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society (JKCerS) and strengthen cooperation with the Journal of Asian Ceramic Societies (JAsCerS) to solidify the academic value of our Society.

4. Advancing Industry-Academia-Research Collaboration and Supporting the Industry

Ceramic technology is a driving force for industrial progress. The Society will actively pursue research projects aligned with industry needs, establishing a robust platform for collaboration among companies, academia, and research institutes. For instance, we will operate small research groups linked to the Materials & Components Technology Development Program to foster close partnerships between practitioners and researchers. These efforts will connect host companies, participating firms, and end-users, facilitating the development of Requests for Proposals (RFPs) that align with national strategic technology initiatives. In addition, by collecting technological development needs from the ceramics industry and utilizing our database, we will support collaborative projects and effectively bridge academia with the industry.

Dear members,

The year 2025 marks a pivotal moment as we prepare for the Society's next century. I am dedicated to ensuring that our Society remains a central pillar of academic growth and industrial innovation. Together, with your unwavering support, I hope to see the Society rise as a globally respected organization. Let us continue to forge a path toward academic excellence and industrial breakthroughs.

I wish you all a prosperous and fulfilling New Year.

January 1, 2025
Hae Jin Hwang
46^th President of the Korean Ceramic Society