2012 Underwood & Avison Distinguished Professors Yonsei appointed six 2012 Underwood & Avison Distinguished Professors, and the appointment ceremony was held on Jan 31st. The six professors are: Professor Paik Young-ki (Integrated OMICS for Biomedical Science), Professor Ahn Jong-hyun (Electrical Engineering), Professor Jo Jae-won (Civil and Environmental Engineering), Professor Haam Seung-joo (Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering), Professor Kim Hee-woong (Graduate School of Information), and Professor Lee Min-goo (Pharmacology, College of Medicine). In recognition of their outstanding research achievements, Professor Ahn and Professor Jo have especially been designated upon becoming new faculty. Since 2007, Yonsei has appointed Underwood & Avison Distinguished Professors among the full-time faculty members who have accomplished globally recognized research achievements and are considered to have great potential to make contributions to the University’s growth and progress in scientific research. There have been a total of 31 Distinguished Professors, and currently 15 professors entitled so, including the six newly designated. During the term of 3 years, Underwood & Avison Distinguished Professors have a number of benefits, including financial incentives and flexibility in the hours of instruction, and permission to open an undergraduate course in 3 consecutive hours. Another program that the university runs in order to expand research efforts is the Special Recruitment Program, which has been in service since 2012. The Special Recruitment Program offers positions to those who have accomplished as much or more research in their fields than the Underwood & Avison Distinguished Professors. During the term of 3 years, the assigned professors receive research funding in addition to other financial incentives. In the next 3 years, some 20 global scholars will be invited through this program. UIC also plans to operate the James T. Laney Endowed Faculty Program, which is in both recognition of his service as former U.S. Ambassador and of his contribution to a stronger Korea-U.S. friendship, and support of research on international diplomacy. The program will invite such specialists as diplomats, officials, and scholars to offer courses and hold seminars.