SEOUL, South Korea – Korea University (President Kim Dong-won) held a scholarship certificate award ceremony for the 'Korea University Leaders 120 Multicultural Talent Scholarship' on May 23rd at 1:00 PM in the SK Future Hall. The initiative aims to support the academic pursuits of students from multicultural families and cultivate global leaders, the university announced on May 26th.

The 'Korea University Leaders 120 Multicultural Talent Scholarship,' established in 2024, commemorates the university's 120th anniversary. This new scholarship program reflects Korea University's educational philosophy, which emphasizes diversity and inclusion. It is designed to support future leaders, with a goal of selecting a total of 120 scholarship recipients by 2030 and investing 4 billion Korean Won (approximately $2.9 million USD) into the program.

Eligible recipients are undergraduate freshmen from multicultural families where one or both parents have naturalized in Korea. While freshmen are prioritized, current students may also be selected within the allocated budget. Scholarship recipients will receive up to 4.2 million Korean Won (approximately $3,000 USD) per semester, disbursed as 700,000 Korean Won (approximately $500 USD) per month, to cover living expenses.

The ceremony was attended by approximately 50 individuals, including President Kim Dong-won, faculty, staff, and scholarship recipients. President Kim personally presented each student with their scholarship certificate, offering warm words of encouragement. Attendees showed their support for the students' futures with enthusiastic applause.

"Korea University's vision is a 'Next Intelligence' community where people from diverse backgrounds and cultures gather to discover new possibilities," stated President Kim Dong-won. He further encouraged the students, saying, "You are not merely beneficiaries, but protagonists who will create a better future for humanity. I hope this occasion marks the beginning of your journey to become leaders of a new era."

Huh Min-wook, a scholarship recipient, shared his gratitude: "I pursued a dream of becoming an accountant after enrolling in Korea University's Department of Sociology, and with the sacrifice of my parents and the support of my alma mater, I recently passed the Certified Public Accountant exam." He concluded, "I will strive to be someone who shares the warmth I have received with my juniors."

[ⓒ Global Economic Times. 무단전재-재배포 금지]