
67세 만학도가 생태공학에 대한 남다른 열정으로 박사학위를 취득해 주위를 놀라게 하고 있다.
주인공은 8월 26일 오전 10시 부경대학교가 개최하는 2010학년도 후기 학위수여식에서 ‘논문 ‘새만금 지역의 조력발전에 대한 에머지 평가’로 박사학위를 받은 로라 김 씨(미국 국적·여·67세·생태공학전공).
그는 이 논문에서 생태경제성 평가단위인 에머지 개념을 이용하여 새만금 지역에 조력발전을 시행할 경우에 대한 생태경제적 가치 및 사업의 타당성을 분석해 주목을 받았다.
새만금 조력발전 사업은 지속가능한 자연에너지를 활용한 전력 확보와 동시에 CO2 저감효과, 훼손된 갯벌 복원과 같은 편익을 얻을 수 있어 국가의 녹색성장전략에 기여할 수 있다는 결론을 도출한 것이다.
그는 이미 2004년 부경대 생태공학과에 만학도 특별전형으로 입학한 이후 4년간 출석률 100%를 기록하고, 석사과정에서 8개 전 과목 A+성적을 받으며 조기 졸업하는 등 놀라운 역량을 선보였다.
이러한 결과는 학부과정부터 7년이 넘도록 매일 3시간 밖에 잠을 자지 않을 정도로 노력했기 때문에 가능했던 것. 이런 노력 끝에 박사과정 역시 2년 만에 수료와 동시에 논문의 우수성을 인정받아 학위를 받게 됐다. 지금은 (사)한국생태공학회(회장 이석모) 사무총장을 맡아 생태공학을 알리는 데 힘쓰고 있다.
자연에 대한 관심과 함께 후배에 대한 사랑도 남달랐다. 생태공학과 후배들을 위해 써 달라며 2008년에 1억2천만 원, 2009년에 1억 원 등 총 2억 2천만 원의 장학금을 부경대에 기부하기도 했다.
그는 “자연의 소중함을 일깨우는 생태공학자 양성에 작은 보탬이 됐으면 하는 바람으로 기부했던 것.”이라면서, “후배들이 인생을 끊임없는 배움의 과정으로 여기고 노력하기 바란다.”고 말했다.
미국에 2개, 부산에 1개 등 모두 3개의 사업체를 운영하고 있는 그는 “박사학위는 새로운 공부를 시작하기 위한 전환점이라고 생각한다.”면서, “그동안 배운 내용을 바탕으로 자연의 가치를 높이는 경제활동을 펼치고 싶다.”고 밝혔다.<부경투데이>
“I want to let many people know the field of eco-technology.”
- Laura Kim who has started studying late in her sixties, majoring in eco-technology was granted a degree from PKNU.
The fact that someone who has started studying late with the extraordinary passion took a doctor’s degree in eco-technology surprised many people.
Laura Kim obtained a doctor’s degree in eco-technology from PKNU where 2010 the latter graduation ceremony was held on August 26th at 10 A.M. by presenting a thesis which main topic is ‘The evaluation of Emergy about the tidal power generation in Saemangeum’. She is a US citizen, and has started studying late. Now she is 67 years old now, and she majored in eco-technology.
She was praised for her thesis by using the conception of Emergy which means the unit of the evaluation in ecolonomics to analyze the validity of the project which is related to the tidal power generation in Saemangeum and to evaluate the ecological and economical value.
According to her thesis, we can realized that this project related to tidal power generation in Saemanguem can be useful to contribute to the green growth of our country because it can provide many advantages such as the secure of the electricity, the reduction effect of the carbon dioxide, CO2, and the restoration of the polluted mud flat by using the sustainable natural resources.
She entered PKNU as a student of department of ecological engineering through the special admission for those who want to start studying late in 2004. After that, she has never been absent for last 4 years. In addition, she got a straight A’s all during the master’s course. Moreover, she succeeded in the early graduation of excellent student. In other words, she has displayed her incredible abilities.
Actually, she deserved to get these results because she has tried hard since she started her undergraduate studies. Even she always sleeps for 3 hours every day for 7 years. Due to her persistent efforts, she could complete her doctor’s course for 2 years, and get a doctor’s degree because of her excellent thesis for the same time. She is trying to let many people know eco-technology as a secretary general of Korea Ecological Engineering Society which president is Lee Seok Mo now.
She showed a special interest in the love of the juniors as well as the nature. She donated 120 million won in 2008 and one hundred million won in 2009 for her juniors who are also majoring in ecological engineering. As a result, she has donated about 220 million won to PKNU.
She spoke as follows. “The reason that I have donated my money to PKNU is that I really want to help cultivate many talented ecologists. Therefore, I hope them to strive to come true their dreams considering their entire life as a constant learning process.”
Now she is operating 3 businesses including 2 businesses in America, and 1 business in Busan. She also spoke as follows. “To get a doctor’s degree is my turning point to start studying something new. Through my knowledge that I could get for last learning process, I want to take part in the economic activities that can increase the value of our nature.” <Pukyong Today>
<translator; Park Ha Won, dhzl0121@naver.com>
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