Yonsei University’s Wonju Campus has merged five research centers (Medical Engineering Center, Biomaterials Research Center, Medical Welfare Research Center, Health Science Center, and Lifestyle Medical Research Center) from three different colleges (Colleges of Health Science, Science and Technology, and Medicine) to create the Bio-Medical Wellness Joint Research Center. The reorganization took place following a decision by the Research Center Review Board, which determined that a merger of the preexisting centers would be more in line with current global trends in higher education and research. The Bio-Medical Wellness Joint Research Center is headed by Professor Kim Young-ho, and it is located in Baekwoon Hall on the Wonju Campus. On August 22, the opening ceremony for the new center was held on the Wonju Campus, with about 100 individuals in attendance, including Yonsei President Jeong Kap-young, Wonju Vice President Lee In-sung, several deans, and many of the professor who will be part of the center.
The Bio-Medical Wellness Joint Research Center is composed of five research teams, each with a special focus; these teams are: Medical Engineering, Biomaterials, Medical Welfare, Health Science, and Lifestyle Medical Research. The center will provide research support and high level researcher training, analyze research competitiveness, and facilitate practical applications of its research by industry.