Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) received the Minister's Award from the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology in the "2012 Industry–University–Research Cooperation Best Practices Competition" organized by the Ministry and the National Research Foundation of Korea.

The competition aimed to discover and publicize outstanding industry–university–research collaboration cases to promote a culture of cooperation. It selected exemplary cases from each university in the areas of talent development and technology collaboration.

JBNU was highly evaluated for establishing NanoPora Co., Ltd., together with major company Kolon, based on nanofiber mass-production technology using electrospinning developed this year by the Center for Healthcare Technology Development, and for linking research personnel involved in technology development to employment.

NanoPora Co., Ltd. mass-produces nanofibers by utilizing the phenomenon in which a sufficiently viscous polymer solution forms fibers when subjected to an electrostatic field, as applied by Professor Hak-Yong Kim of the Department of Organic Materials and Fiber Engineering.

Through this, the company plans to establish a production base and enter the market using the nanofiber mass-production technology and to manufacture various products based on nanofibers—such as breathable waterproof clothing, water treatment filters, and battery separators—with a target of achieving KRW 50 billion in sales by 2015.

In particular, it is regarded as a model case for cultivating outstanding talent in related fields by linking research personnel to employment through industry–university collaboration research and the establishment of a production plant.

The selected best practices will be awarded at a ceremony at COEX in Seoul on October 31, 2012, and thereafter exhibited at the "2012 Industry–University–Research Cooperation Expo".

Vice-President of Industry-University Cooperation Cho Nam-pyo said, "NanoPora Co., Ltd. is a company established to commercialize the university's excellent technology and contribute to job creation and regional economic revitalization," adding, "As it was selected as an outstanding case in talent development, we will strive to transfer excellent technology and nurture outstanding research personnel."