Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) RISE Project Group Director Son Jeong-min received the Minister's Award from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy at the 2025 New Technology Commercialization Promotion Ceremony held in Seoul on the 10th for his contributions to establishing an industry–university collaboration infrastructure linked to the regional power industry and to corporate technological innovation.

The New Technology Commercialization Promotion Ceremony is organized by the National Institute of Technology and Standards of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. It aims to boost motivation for new technology development and promote public procurement of certified products to support companies' commercialization and market expansion. At the 29th edition of the ceremony this year, Director Son was recognized for overseeing the RISE Project Group's first-year operations and for his contribution to the early establishment of an industry–university collaboration foundation aligned with regional industrial strategies.

Director Son has concurrently served as JBNU's Vice-President of Industry-University Cooperation and as CEO of the university's technology holding company, managing the university's research, technology, and commercialization infrastructure in an integrated manner. Through this, he expanded support systems for new technology commercialization to include companies inside and outside the province, and established a foundation that has led to tangible corporate outcomes such as certifications and commercialization.

The JBNU RISE Project Group introduced a 'visiting industry–university collaboration' approach, in which faculty visit companies directly to reduce corporate burden, providing close, demand-driven technical consulting, process improvements, and review of testing standards. Based on this systematic support, it has provided full-cycle consulting to prepare companies for national certification systems such as NEP (New Product), NET (New Technology), and green certification.

As a result, six companies this year — Sego Industry, SMD Solution, Anylock, Hanaweltech, JN, and R&B Technology — consecutively obtained new product, new technology, and green certifications. These companies secured public procurement channels, increased sales, and strengthened technological competitiveness, demonstrating the tangible effects of university–industry collaboration.

Notably, even in its first year, the project produced significant results — stabilizing a collaboration system among the university, local governments, companies, and innovation organizations; establishing a technology-support platform for companies inside and outside the province; and strengthening the foundation for regional industrial growth — marking JBNU's emergence as a key platform driving regional industrial innovation. This underscores the significance of the award.

Son Jeong-min said, "I view this award as encouragement to further accelerate the mutual growth of the region and companies based on the university's capabilities," and added, "The RISE Project Group, the Industry-University Cooperation Office, and the technology holding company will work closely together to actively support the strengthening of technological competitiveness and industrial advancement for companies both inside and outside the province."