Korea’s oil refiner S-Oil has provided research grants totaling 275 million won ($235,000) for promising scientists as part of its annual programs to support basic science, the company said Tuesday.  

S-Oil Science Prodigy and Culture Foundation, a non-profit organization established by the refiner, offered the scholarships to 10 young scientists in its 6th Dissertation of the Year Awards in five basic science sectors -- mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, and earth science.

The recipients include Shin Hee-jae, who received a Ph.D. from Seoul National University and Shin Hye-young who received a Ph.D. from from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology.

“These young scientists who have been recognized for their excellent dissertations in basic science are the ones who will propel the country forward, said S-Oil CEO Othman Al-Ghamdi at the award ceremony. “(S-Oil) will continue to support the scientists so they can dedicate (themselves) to the research.”

Launched in 2011, the annual award aims at fostering basic science research. The foundation picks the recipients based on recommendations from KAIST and the Korean University Presidents Association.

The foundation runs various programs to support talented scientists and boost basic science research in Korea, it said. By Lee Hyun-jeong (rene@heraldcorp.com)