Propose Value-Added Upcycling of Rice Husks and Rice Rinse Water Through Eco-Friendly Seedling Trays

Achievement Reflects Hands-On, Industry-Oriented Education Supported by the Advanced Bioindustry Human Resources Boot Camp Project

[July 8, 2026]

<YU students recognized at the 2026 Korean Society of Food Science and Technology Undergraduate Idea Competition>

(From left: CHOI Seo-hyun, BAN Ye-won, and JO Min-ji)

 The it's me(米) Team from YU's Department of Food Science and Technology and the Advanced Bioindustry Human Resources Boot Camp Project Group (faculty advisor: Professor KIM Myung-hee, Department of Food Science and Technology) received the Encouragement Award at the Undergraduate Idea Competition, held during the 2026 International Conference and Annual Meeting of the Korean Society of Food Science and Technology (KoSFoST) at the Daejeon Convention Center on July 1. 

 The Korean Society of Food Science and Technology (KoSFoST) hosts Korea's largest international academic conference in the field each year, attracting approximately 2,800 participants. Sponsored by the Council of Directors of Food Research Institutes, the Undergraduate Idea Competition aims to discover innovative ideas that contribute to creating future value in the food industry while fostering the next generation of food science professionals. Participants analyze challenges facing the food industry and propose creative, practical solutions. 

 The it's me(米) Team—comprising CHOI Seo-hyun (senior, Department of Food Science and Technology) and BAN Ye-won and JO Min-ji (both sophomores in the Department of Food Science and Technology)—proposed an environmentally friendly solution that transforms rice husks and rice rinse water, by-products of food production and processing, into biodegradable seedling trays. Their project presented a sustainable approach to creating high-value applications for agricultural by-products while promoting a circular, eco-friendly economy.

 Professor KIM Ji-hoe, Director of the Advanced Bioindustry Human Resources Boot Camp Project Group and a faculty member in the Department of Biotechnology, said, "We are delighted that our field-based, hands-on training program has produced such an outstanding result. We will continue to provide strong support for cultivating talented professionals in sustainable advanced biomaterials."