KIAS embarked on an ambitious journey with only three professors and three research fellows in mathematics and physics.

Since the founding, we've strived to build the best research facility in the region by providing a pleasant and free research environment for scholars in home and abroad. We have hosted numerous international conferences and seminars in which many world's leading scholars have participated. KIAS has no formal curriculum, degree programs, or experimental laboratories. Instead, the Institute is home for talented scientists and young promising research fellows to explore the most fundamental areas of science. We have an ambition to make KIAS a world's leading center for foundational research in basic sciences.

Our primary goal is sustained creation of new knowledge driven by curiosity and also sharing the results with others. Some knowledge will become, as history indicates, the backbone of technology that our society needs, whereas some will become fundamental knowledge that human race can cherish as an intellectual triumph. For this, we have supported our members to conduct research of the highest international caliber. Also, we have set out various visitor programs for non-regular members to promote research collaborations. For instance, through programs as "KIAS Scholar Program" and "Open KIAS Program", KIAS invites many talented scientists from home and abroad for collaborative research with KIAS members in the areas of mutual interests and also for joining in other research activities such as seminars, conferences, and lecture series.

Another goal is to contribute to social development and progress through basic science research. In such endeavor, KIAS has diversified and invigorated its "Outreach Program" since 2006. Specifically, we provide diverse educational outreach programs explicitly tailored for youth groups. The purpose is to serve the advancement of science education, raise the scientific consciousness of the society, and share the Institute's scientific resources. Also, to help develop basic sciences in developing countries, we invite leading scientists from those countries to international conferences organized by KIAS. This is expected to create spaces for their scientific dialogue and intellectual exchanges with international science community and to enrich their research visions, which will ultimately lead to the scientific advancement of their countries.

In addition to the above, we communicate with general public the importance of basic research and its influence on the maturity of a society. Science is no more mere interest or concern for science community or some experts in the field. It should be understood as part of culture that each and every societal member needs to be involved with in one way or another. Since national standards of basic sciences functions as a barometer of cultural advancement of a society in this age of science and technology, by sharing our expertise with a wider community KIAS is committed to the promotion of science literacy as well as the nurturing of healthy scientific culture in our society.

As science itself has been undergoing a rapid paradigm shift, we are ready to embrace and nurture new ideas and perspectives in the future direction of basic research. I am very proud of our Institute,s flexibility, which serves as our greatest strength in moving forward with times. We hope to have your continued support and encouragement in our journey to the future KIAS.

President of KIAS

Doochul Kim