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May 2005
It is time to revive AKPA!
“The Lord is subtle…” How insightful Einstein was! After one hundred years of scientific revolution from Einstein’s miracle year of 1905, we are still confounded by the true nature of the basic building blocks of material (particle versus string), the very dimensionality of spacetime, dark matter, and dark energy… With the advancement of quantum optics and nano-technology, molecular biology has become a physics laboratory. We certainly live in a most exciting time!
I feel honored to become the 26th president of AKPA in this World Year of Physics, and I find plenty of work to do. My term is May 1, 2005 through April 30, 2007. AKPA was launched in 1979 with great enthusiasm (67 paying members) under the leadership of the first president, Dr. Tong Nyung Lee, and it flourished under many able presidents. Looking through the record, however, I find that AKPA’s activities have generally been declining after reaching a peak in 1994-96 in both membership (83 paying members) and financial activities (total income of $5,635). Over the last two years, the paying membership and total income (averaged over two years) have dropped to 5.5 and $528!
Clearly, it is time to rebuild AKPA. I have already been discussing it extensively with many loyal supporters of AKPA. Several tasks have emerged. First, we should launch a membership drive right away. I feel that we should set a goal of surpassing 100 paying members. Second, we should publicize AKPA through more frequent and regular newsletters. Third, AKPA should become a more useful and relevant organization to members and non-members alike. To satisfy this last goal, AKPA should facilitate the exchange of information such as job announcements, scientific achievements of the members, and relevant news items from Korea and elsewhere.
I am very happy to announce the new officers and committee members, as listed below, who are very able and enthusiastic. I am fortunate to be assisted by Vice President, Dr. Taeil Bai, a loyal supporter who has many ideas for AKPA. Professor Eun-Suk Seo will be our General and Treasury Secretary. She will take the lead in raising funds for AKPA. Professor Moo Young Han has accepted the position of Publicity and Editorial Secretary. His experience with KASTN and IEKAS and his vast information network will be invaluable in reviving our newsletter activity. Dr. Joon Yoll Choe will be our E-link Secretary and Web Manager. He and his committee will perform the painstaking work of expanding AKPA’s email list and upgrading its homepage. Dr. Kyungsik Kang, a loyal member of AKPA, will chair the OYRA committee.
I have many things to communicate to you in the near future, including a suggested amendment of AKPA’s charter and an outreach program as part of the World Year of Physics activity. At this time, I would like to request each one of you to send an up-to-date email list of the Korean physicists in your institution to Dr. Joon Yoll Choe at joon.choe@nrl.navy.mil and send your membership fee ($25), along with a donation, to Professor Eun-Suk Seo at the Institute for Physical Science and Technology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742. Your generous donation will enable AKPA to accomplish its goals. Please also send relevant news items to Professor Moo Young Han at myhan@phy.duke.edu, with a copy to me at hpaik@umd.edu.
Cheers,
Ho Jung Paik
President of AKPA