{"id":1509,"date":"2026-07-27T15:25:46","date_gmt":"2026-07-27T15:25:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kstories.kr\/en\/fab260727001-en\/"},"modified":"2026-07-27T16:42:52","modified_gmt":"2026-07-27T16:42:52","slug":"fab260727001-en","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kstories.kr\/en\/fab260727001-en\/","title":{"rendered":"Konkuk University’s BK21 Research Group Hosts Successful International Conference on Advanced Materials and Fashion Convergence, Drawing Experts from 9 Countries"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Konkuk University's BK21 Research Group Hosts Successful International Conference on Advanced Materials and Fashion Convergence, Drawing Experts from 9 Countries<\/div>\n

The '2026 SFTI-SUSTech International Conference & Invited Exhibition,' organized by Konkuk University's BK21 Advanced Materials Talent Nurturing Research Group for Basic-Applied Interdisciplinary Breakthroughs, was successfully held in Shenzhen, China. Co-hosted by the Korea Fashion Industry Association and the College of Design at Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), the event brought together 161 experts from nine countries to deeply discuss the future development of the fashion industry, integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies.<\/p>\n

'Fashion Intelligence and Symbiosis' Gathers Experts from Nine Nations<\/h2>\n

This international academic exchange took place from July 13 to 17 at the Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) Conference Center in Shenzhen, China. Jointly organized by Konkuk University's BK21 Advanced Materials Talent Nurturing Research Group and the Advanced Materials Convergence Research Institute, and co-hosted by the Korea Fashion Industry Association and SUSTech's College of Design, the event facilitated international academic exchange and industry-academia cooperation programs.<\/p>\n

Under the theme 'Fashion Intelligence & Symbiosis: AI, Human, and Nature,' 161 researchers, designers, artists, and industry experts from nine countries, including South Korea, convened. They extensively shared insights on the convergence possibilities of artificial intelligence (AI), digital technology, advanced and sustainable materials, and fashion design, exploring future directions for the fashion and textile industries.<\/p>\n

The opening ceremony began with a welcoming address by Jun-Seok Ko, President of the Korea Fashion Industry Association. Commercial Attach\u00e9 Jong-Seon Kim from the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Guangzhou, Deputy Director Bora Yoon of KOTRA's Shenzhen Trade Office, and Dr. Chul-Hwan Moon, President of the Korea Textile Material Research Institute, delivered congratulatory remarks. Keynote speeches providing insights into the future development of the fashion and textile industries and advanced materials were given by Dean Dennis Jie Sun of Donghua University in China, CEO Young-Ik Son of Bo Kwang I&T, and Professor Geun-Young Oh of Buffalo State, State University of New York in the United States.<\/p>\n

Sharing AI and Advanced Materials Convergence Research Outcomes and Presenting Future Visions<\/h2>\n

The academic conference featured a total of 74 paper presentations, comprising 22 oral presentations and 52 poster presentations. The main topics focused on convergence research integrating fashion and textile industries with advanced materials, including AI-based fashion algorithms, smart wearable technology, eco-friendly and circular economy materials, and digital retail. Oral presentations were divided into three sessions: wearable technology, fashion intelligence, and intelligent algorithms & sustainable material innovation, sharing the latest research findings and industry trends.<\/p>\n

Notably, In-Ki Hong, a Ph.D. student (Advanced Materials Convergence major in Materials Science and Engineering) participating in Konkuk University's BK21 Human Resources Development program, received the Best Paper Award in the poster presentation category for his paper, 'TDDFT\/TDA Insight into Fe Oxidation-Activated Charge-Transfer Absorption in Tannin-Iron Black Chromophores.' This research garnered significant attention by demonstrating the potential for convergence in color and fashion material research based on advanced materials, through a theoretical analysis of tannin-iron based black chromophores.<\/p>\n

Alongside the conference, an international fashion invitational exhibition showcased 37 fashion and textile art pieces by designers and artists from various countries including South Korea, China, the U.S., Japan, and the Philippines. The exhibition was structured around three themes: urban technology, the convergence of tradition and advanced technology, and the future fashion ecosystem, presenting diverse possibilities for the future fashion industry by combining traditional costume culture with cutting-edge technology and eco-friendly values.<\/p>\n

Exploring Industrial Site Visits and Expanding International Collaboration<\/h2>\n

During the academic exchange event, participants also engaged in related programs, including visits to major industrial sites such as the Baidu Exhibition Hall, Huaqiangbei, Guangzhou Zhongda Fabric and Accessory Market, textile manufacturing facilities in the Foshan region, and the Eachway Fashion Museum. Participants broadened their perspectives by directly observing production and distribution sites of China's fashion and textile industry, as well as examples of advanced digital technology applications in the industry.<\/p>\n

These site visits fostered in-depth discussions on strategies to expand joint research, education, and industrial exchange among universities, research institutions, and industries. This served as an opportunity to establish a practical platform for industry-academia collaboration, beyond mere academic exchange.<\/p>\n

Professor Jun-Seok Ko, head of Konkuk University's BK21 Advanced Materials Talent Nurturing Research Group, stated, "It is highly significant that researchers and industry experts from home and abroad gathered at a crucial time when AI, digital fabrication, and eco-friendly innovation are rapidly changing the paradigm of the fashion and textile industries, to collectively discuss the direction of future advanced materials and fashion technology." Professor Ko also expressed his ambition for this event to be a significant turning point for expanding the interdisciplinary convergence, international collaborative research, and industry-academia cooperation achievements promoted by Konkuk University's BK21 Research Group, and to continue leading the fields of AI, advanced materials, and sustainable fashion technology through strengthening international research networks.<\/p>\n

English-Korean Version<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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