LG Group chairman Koo Bon-moo added weight to the conglomerate’s search for top-notch research and development staff by attending a conference in San Francisco to which graduate students were invited.

Eight affiliates of LG Group jointly hosted the LG Techno Conference on Saturday in which chief executives, chief technology officers and chief human resources officers gave presentations on their companies’ technological innovation and plans to foster R&D talent to about 300 students in master’s and doctorate programs.

The LG affiliates also held recruitment consultation sessions for the students majoring in software, electrical and electronic engineering, material engineering and chemistry. 

The conglomerate increased hiring of people with master’s degrees and doctorates from overseas schools from 120 in 2007 to 300 last year, and plans to recruit about 320 this year.

“The future of LG depends on R&D,” Koo said during dinner with the participants of the conference on Saturday.

“We will beef up investment in R&D to create an environment where talented people can really show us what they’ve got.”

Koo has always stressed the importance of finding outstanding human resources, but it is the first time he actually took part in the search.

In a human resources event late last year, Koo urged top executives to do their best to secure excellent people, adding that he was willing to make personal visits if necessary.

The LG Techno Conference was jointly hosted by LG Electronics, LG Display, LG Innotek, LG Siltron, LG Chem, LG Hausys, LG Uplus and LG CNS.

By Kim So-hyun (sophie@heraldcorp.com)