Konyang Industrial Research Consortium [ Message from the Director of KIRC ] Byung Ik Kang, Ph.D The Industrial Research Consortium has been established to assume the role of a joint between industries and the university and to carry out the following projects: First, the Consortium has assisted and solved problems of local businesses in small and medium sizes, of the local government, and of the Small and Medium Business Administration since 1997. Second, the Consortium has guided industries with technical know-how through various short-term projects administered by the Small and Medium Business Administration. Students have been allowed to have practical training in their related industries and connect it to their jobs in prospect. Konyang University was chosen not only as a model university of the TRITAS program in 1998 but also as a model university for technical training in 1999. Third, the Consortium has been running an incubating center for business establishment since it was designated as a special center for food and drink industry by the Small and Medium Business Administration in December, 2000. Fourth, the Consortium was designated as a local information center by the Korean Productivity Headquarters and has faithfully served as an educating center for the local communication information. Universities become more important in this information-oriented age in which enormous new scientific technologies are invented. The Consortium will make every effort to help fulfill the establishment of a new order and lead the age. I wish many of you could show your concern in the Consortium's development.