■ CEO stresses technology, R&D innovators at KAIST lecture

■ Company strives to advance its technological edge

SK On, a leading global battery and trading company, reaffirmed its dedication to nurturing future technology talent, recognizing it as a key pillar of long-term growth and industry advancement.

SK On said that its CEO and President, Dr. Lee Seok-hee, delivered a special lecture on Tuesday at Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST), one of the nation’s leading research universities located in Daejeon, where he stressed the importance of both talent and technology.

During the lecture, attended by some 100 students and faculty members, Lee highlighted SK On’s efforts to raise future R&D professionals as a foundation for sustainable growth across the company and the industry.

“The future of the battery industry ultimately depends on technology talent,” Lee said during his lecture at KAIST, where also he served as a professor of electrical engineering from 2010 to 2012. “We place the highest value on hands-on experience in R&D and manufacturing.”

Lee presented SK On’s identity as a growth-driven and innovation-focused company. He also introduced SK On’s various technological advancements, including high-voltage mid-nickel batteries and cell-to-pack technologies, and highlighted the industry-leading performance of its products in energy density, fast charging, and safety.

“The battery business is a technology-driven manufacturing sector,” he said. “We are committed to enhancing our technological edge to position ourselves as a top-tier battery company.”

SK On, part of South Korea’s second largest conglomerate SK Group, recognizes R&D talent development as a key driver of future growth. The battery maker has been advancing related initiatives in collaboration with South Korea’s top research universities in recent years.

Last month, Park Ki-soo, the head of R&D at SK On, delivered a lecture at the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) following the extension of the company’s partnership with the university.

Senior executives have been visiting top research universities across the country to give industry lectures, sharing the company’s technological capabilities and vision, while engaging directly with students.

In Korea, SK On is fostering master’s and doctoral-level talent through battery-focused contract departments established in partnership with KAIST, UNIST, Sungkyunkwan University, and Hanyang University.

SK On also supports technology talent through joint research centers established with Yonsei University and Hanyang University.

To secure future talent, SK On is actively recruiting industry-academia scholarship students and offers rolling recruitment for experienced professionals and new doctoral graduates.​