June 11, 2025 — SK On announced that its CEO, Lee Seok-hee, delivered a special lecture to faculty and graduate students at Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), highlighting the future outlook of the battery industry and the importance of technological talent.
The lecture took place on June 10 at the KAIST KI Building Fusion Hall in Daejeon, where approximately 100 attendees, including professors and graduate students specializing in battery technology, gathered for the event.
The session was structured around four key themes: the prospects of the electric vehicle battery industry, SK On’s growth strategies and technological innovation, future technological visions, and career advice. Industry insiders shared firsthand insights and strategies, creating lively Q&A sessions with students.
CEO Lee emphasized, “Continuous advancement in the battery industry ultimately depends on human talent. Since taking office, we have prioritized both R&D and manufacturing capabilities, focusing on recruiting experts with a strong technical background and practical implementation skills.”
He also highlighted SK On’s innovative technologies, including proprietary high-voltage mid-nickel batteries and cell-to-pack (CTP) technology, which have contributed to the company’s leading position in energy density, fast charging, and safety. “SK On will continue to lead global battery innovation alongside the world’s top talent,” Lee added.
The lecture was more than a corporate introduction; it served as a meaningful platform to share SK On’s technology-centered management philosophy and vision with future engineers and researchers. Leveraging his prior experience as a professor of electrical and electronic engineering at KAIST from 2010 to 2012, Lee positioned himself as a bridge connecting academia and industry.
In line with its future strategic focus, SK On is actively expanding industry-academic collaborations to nurture R&D talent. The company operates battery-focused contract programs with top universities such as KAIST, UNIST, Sungkyunkwan University, and Hanyang University, training master’s and doctoral-level students. It also maintains joint research centers with Yonsei University and Hanyang University for technological exchange.
Additionally, SK On’s senior executives continue to visit domestic STEM universities to give industry-focused lectures. Last month, for instance, R&D Head Park Kisu delivered a talk at Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology. Currently, SK On is recruiting industry-sponsored students until June 16 and is conducting year-round hiring for experienced professionals and PhD-level researchers.
