Dr. Hwi Joong Kim, Hankook Tire Chief Technology Officer and Production Officer receives 2009 Outstanding Alumnus Award from the University of Akron
§ First Korean to receive this award from the University of Akron (UOA), a leading university in Polymer Science
§ Recognizes contribution towards Hankook Tire’s rapid growth
§ Plans for an academic partnership with UOA to foster outstanding research team
Seoul, Korea, 05 October 2009 - Hankook Tire, the world’s seventh largest tire manufacturer, announced today that its Chief Technology and Production Officer, Dr. Hwi Joong Kim, stands to receive the 2009 Outstanding Alumnus award from the University of Akron (UOA) on October 2, 2009. The University of Akron is recognized as a leading university in the field of Polymer Science. Dr. Kim received his M.D. and Ph.D. in polymer science from the University of Akron.
The Outstanding Alumnus Award is given to graduates who show remarkable achievement in academics or technology. Dr. Kim is the first Korean to receive this award, and is responsible for all R&D activities at Hankook Tire. The UOA announced that Dr. Kim was selected as the 2009 Outstanding Alumnus for his contribution towards making Hankook Tire the world’s seventh largest tire manufacturer through his continuous R&D efforts and technolo-gical innovative suppor
Since its establishment in 1870, the University of Akron has displayed remarkable achieve-ments by establishing the world’s first rubber science course as a major, and the first ever Department of Polymer Science. Currently, the UOA is ranked second in the field of Polymer Science and fifth as an engineering college in the US, as it continues to perform research on Polymer Science through its associations with famous tire manufacturers.
Including Dr. Kim, there are five other Hankook Tire employees who have received a Ph.D. degree from UOA through its executive study abroad program and one other employee is currently participating in the program. Hankook Tire plans to cultivate more outstanding re-search team members by strengthening its ties with UOA.
Photo Release 1: University of Akron Department of Polymer Science
Chair Morton Profes-sor of Polymer Science Dr. Ali Dhinojwala and Hankook Tire’s Chief Technology
and Pro-duction Officer Dr. Hwi Joong Kim
Photo Release 2: Delivering the scholarships (From left: Hankook Tire Country Manager Ho Yeol Bae,
Hankook Tire Chief Technology and Production Officer Dr. Hwi Joong Kim, and University
of Akron College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering Dean Dr. Stephen Z.D.
Cheng, and University of Akron Vice President John LaGuardia)