Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) has been selected for the official development assistance (ODA) program for least-developed countries by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and will transfer outstanding Korean photovoltaic technology to Morocco.

Accordingly, Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) will receive KRW 2.5 billion from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and will be responsible for supporting the establishment of a photovoltaic research institute in Morocco and for commissioned training of industry–university–research experts through 2014.

This project will be carried out by The New & renewable energy Center (Director Kim Jong-il) and the Project Group for Advanced Training of High-Level Personnel in Silicon-Based Solar Cell Materials and Devices (Director Yang O-bong).

Established in September 2006, The New & renewable energy Center houses a total of 31 types of equipment, including solar cell module processing and performance evaluation equipment and material analysis instruments. It was selected for the large-scale national project 'Honam Region Photovoltaic Testbed Construction Project' (KRW 11.7 billion) and is engaged in new technology development and capability enhancement. Based on this solid infrastructure, the Center will support the establishment of a photovoltaic research institute in Morocco under this project.

In addition, the Project Group for Advanced Training of High-Level Personnel in Silicon-Based Solar Cell Materials and Devices, which has been training advanced personnel in the photovoltaic field since 2010, is conducting the national 'Energy Human Resources Training Project.' Through basic and applied research activities across all areas of photovoltaic manufacturing and theoretical education, the group produces about 30 master's and doctoral graduates annually. It also actively conducts intensive training and dispatch training using overseas experts. In this project, the Project Group will be solely responsible for personnel training, including commissioned training for industry–university–research experts, to support the research institute's independent operation.

Kim Jong-il, Director of The New & renewable energy Center, said, "This project resulted from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade's selection process to appoint an institution to establish photovoltaic research institutions and train personnel in developing countries, in which JBNU's research capabilities and personnel training programs were highly evaluated. Based on excellent research, technology, and training programs, we will strive to establish a high-quality photovoltaic research institute in Morocco and to train advanced photovoltaic professionals."