S-OIL Science Prodigy and Culture Foundation Confers “Dissertation of the Year Awards”

● S-OIL offers 130 million won in fellowships to four young scientists in the categories of physics and chemistry.
● The S-OIL Science Prodigy and Culture Foundation runs programs such as a science prodigy academy to support academic research and to foster those with outstanding talent.

The S-OIL Science Prodigy and Culture Foundation (SSPCF, President Oh Myung), a non-profit foundation established by S-OIL (CEO Nasser Al-Mahasher), held a ceremony for the “5th Dissertation of the Year Awards” at the Korea Press Center in Seoul on Nov. 25 and gave 130 million won in fellowships to four young award winners in the categories of physics and chemistry.

The S-OIL Dissertation of the Year Awards was established in 2011 in order to foster academic research in the five basic sciences ? physics, chemistry, mathematics, biology, and Earth science. The SSPCF selects the best researchers on the recommendation of the Korea Academy of Science and Technology and the Korean University Presidents Association and it offers them study fellowships. In odd years, it grants awards in the physics and chemistry categories, and in even years it grants awards in mathematics, biology, and Earth science.

Ph.D. Cho Young-sul from Seoul National University (physics) and Ph.D. Park In-hyeok from Gyeongsang National University (chemistry) were awarded the grand prize of 50 million won each in fellowships. In addition, the excellence prize went to Ph.D. Ryu Je-kyung (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology; physics) and Ph.D. Seong Young-mo (Yonsei University; chemistry) who each received a fellowship of 15 million won.  

“These young scientists who gained worldwide recognition for publishing excellent dissertations in basic science fields with academic passion and perseverance are the force that will propel the nation forward,” said an official of the foundation. “The SSPCF will continue to make active efforts to expand support for those scientists so that they can dedicate themselves fully to research under financial stability.” 

In addition to the Dissertation of the Year Awards, the SSPCF runs various programs to support research in the science fields and to cultivate talented scientists, e.g. through the S-OIL Frontier Scientist Fellowship, the support of a science prodigy academy, and the transfer of technology to scientists of developing countries.