SeoulTech construction systems team wins eight National Research Foundation projects

Researchers trained through Seoul National University of Science and Technology’s BK21 construction systems engineering program have begun leading national research projects of their own. The department’s Future Talent Education Team for Protection and Safety Based on Construction Convergence Technology secured eight projects supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea in 2026.

Former BK21 early-career researcher Shiru Mohammed Sanusi was selected for a Sejong Fellowship return-attraction program. He will study climate adaptation planning in Africa using artificial intelligence and satellite observation, with total support of 605 million won over five years.

Aisha Javed and Chae Seung-taek, both former BK21 participants, were selected for Basic Research B inclusive projects. Their research will address change detection using satellite and spatial information and flood prediction in urban watersheds without measurement data.

Lee Chang-hee, currently a doctoral student, was selected for a doctoral student research incentive program under the support program for the next generation of researchers in science and engineering. He will receive 50 million won over two years. The four former participants and early-career researchers secured a combined 1.015 billion won as principal investigators.

Faculty members also won projects. Koo Bon-sang, Han Yu-kyung and Park In-hwan were selected for Core Research Basic B projects, while team leader Jung Eun-sung was selected for a Core Research Type B project. Including these awards, researchers connected to the education team secured eight new National Research Foundation projects worth about 2.59 billion won.

The program also reported career outcomes among its graduates. Kim Tae-heon joined the Korea Aerospace Research Institute as a senior researcher in 2024, while Song Young-hoon joined the Korea Authority of Land and Infrastructure Safety as a deputy director in August 2026. Most master’s graduates have entered construction design firms, construction and contracting companies or research institutions related to their field.

Team leader Jung Eun-sung said BK21 had helped students and early-career researchers develop independent topics and become principal investigators, while graduates moved into related industries and research institutions. The team plans to continue training specialists in protection and safety based on construction convergence technology.

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BK21 has helped students and early-career researchers develop independent research topics and grow into principal investigators on national research projects, while most graduates have entered industries and research institutions related to their majors