The Korea Institute of S&T Evaluation and Planning (KISTEP), led by President Tae-seog Oh, co-hosted the 2025 KISTEP–ISTIC¹ Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Education & Training Program² with the International Science, Technology and Innovation Centre for South-South Cooperation under the auspices of UNESCO (ISTIC). The program ran from Tuesday through Friday, August 12–15, at the Sofitel Ambassador Seoul.

Since 2009, the program has shared STI policies and development experience that have underpinned Korea’s economic growth with senior policymakers from ISTIC member countries across Asia, the Middle East, Africa and South America. This year, 21 STI policymakers from 15 countries took part—nine from Asia (Malaysia, India, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, the Philippines and Uzbekistan) and six from Africa (Botswana, Namibia, Nigeria, Uganda, Tunisia and Mauritius).

△ Participants in the 2025 KISTEP–ISTIC STI Education & Training Program

This year’s program further strengthened participants’ policy-design capabilities by integrating science and technology diplomacy across the full STI life-cycle management framework.

The agenda covered the following:

○ Korea’s R&D system across the full life cycle, including the National S&T Basic Plan, program and institutional evaluations, and R&D budget allocation and coordination

○ Special sessions on science and technology diplomacy

○ “Country Report” presentations on each country’s current STI policy landscape

In his opening remarks, President Tae-seog Oh said, “Launched in 2009, the KISTEP–ISTIC STI Education & Training Program has trained more than 270 participants from over 65 countries. It has since become a platform for sharing Korea’s STI policy experience and building international networks among science and technology leaders. I am delighted to welcome participants from 15 countries this year.” He added, “Korea’s experience in policy design, investment planning and performance evaluation will offer valuable insights to countries formulating national innovation strategies. I hope this event will go beyond mere training to become a forum for mutual learning and sustained cooperation.”

△ Group photo of participants in the 2025 KISTEP–ISTIC STI Education & Training Program

¹ISTIC (International Science, Technology and Innovation Centre for South‑South Cooperation under the auspices of UNESCO)

ISTIC was established in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in May 2008 under the Group of 77 (G77)’s Doha Plan of Action. The G77 is a coalition of developing countries within the United Nations. ISTIC supports developing countries by helping them formulate and strengthen national STI policies and by promoting related research and exchange activities.

More information: istic-unesco.org

²KISTEP–ISTIC Education & Training Program

This program is designed for senior policymakers from ISTIC member states in the developing world across Asia, Africa and Latin America. It introduces Korea’s economic development experience and STI case studies. Launched in 2009 at ISTIC’s request, the program is a customized R&D training course delivered by KISTEP to strengthen overall S&T capacity in developing countries. The curriculum focuses on national STI policy formulation, program planning and evaluation, and R&D management.