JNU has been selected as the Green Hydrogen Glocal Lead Research Center (JNU GHGLRC) at the 2024 Global Lead Research Center (RLRC) organized by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Korea Research Foundation.

The RLRC project aims to foster research groups in regional innovation fields to lay the foundation for sustainable and self-sustaining growth and to strengthen regional research capabilities.

The JNU Green Hydrogen Glocal Research Center, led by Prof. Kim Sang-jae from the Department of Mechanical System Engineering, will receive a total of KRW 14.5 billion in subsidies from the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province and industrial response funds. This includes KRW 10.1 billion in Korean government subsidies for approximately seven years, from September 2024 to April 2031.

The goal of the JNU GHGLRC is to establish a convergence and complex R&D virtuous cycle system by promoting the ER&V platform of education, research, and venture through step-by-step cooperation with domestic and international green hydrogen institutions via glocalization. The center aims to become a leading hub for green hydrogen talent development and R&D.

A total of 11 companies will participate in the project; Daekyung Engineering Co., Ltd., Winditech Co., Daucis Co., Ltd., Zews Co., Ltd., Inuc, Genie Co., Ltd., Sharing Energy, EV Pass, Jett Co., Ltd., Tylonsoft Co., Ltd., and HIS One Co., Ltd.

JNU President Kim Eel-hwan said, "JNU hopes that the selection of the RLRC will contribute to the development of related industries in Jeju and help establish a glocal leading research center based on seawater electrolysis linked to renewable energy.“