Seoul National University was honored with the Minister of Health and Welfare Award in the Biosafety Management Excellence category at the 2025 Korea Biosafety Conference held on Thursday, June 12, 2025. The event was hosted by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency(KDCA) and other related organizations, and organized by the Korea Biological Safety Association.
This award recognizes the Institute of Environmental Protection & Safety(IEPS) at Seoul National University for its leading efforts in managing high-risk pathogens, promoting a culture of biosafety, and establishing a systematic biosafety management framework.
The Biosafety Management Excellence Award, jointly presented by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the KDCA, honors individuals and institutions that have made significant contributions to national biosafety. This includes safe and secure operation of biosafety facilities and responsible conduct of research involving high-risk pathogens and living modified organisms(LMO).
The university was recognized for the following key accomplishments:
- Early establishment and stable operation of the Institutional Biosafety Committee and Biosafety Level 3 (BL3) research facilities, enhancing legal compliance and research competitiveness
- Gradual expansion and accident-free operation of BL3 facilities to strengthen the research foundation for high-risk pathogens
- Implementation of a regular inspection system for LMO and high-risk biological research facilities
- Operation of tier-based theoretical and hands-on biosafety training programs to improve researchers' competencies
- Development of autonomous inspection systems for critical equipment such as autoclaves
- Establishment of a biosafety management system supported by professional personnel
- Enhancement of review systems and integration with a risk organism database to enable comprehensive biosafety oversight
A representative of the IEPS stated, “This award reflects the collective efforts of our university community to enhance biosafety. We will continue our commitment to research safety and fulfill our social responsibility as a higher education institution.”
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[Background Information]
Biosafety Management Excellence Award: Recognizes contributions to national biosafety through the secure operation of facilities handling high-risk pathogens or LMOs and the promotion of biosafety culture.
Korea Biosafety Conference: The largest domestic event dedicated to biosafety and biosecurity, held annually to share policy updates, research outcomes, and honor outstanding contributions in the field.
