KAIST’s student associations and student councils of each department announced their new beginning on April 4 by holding the 2011 Haeoreum Inauguration Ceremony. Haeoreum, which means “sunrise” in Korean, has been held every year to celebrate a fresh start and hope for good fortune to all of KAIST’s student associations. It is an occasion for introducing their activities to fellow students and encouraging communication between organizations and students as well.
The ceremony began at noon in the front yard of the Undergraduate Library with brief greetings by representatives of KAIST’s various student associations, including the Undergraduate Student Council, Class Representative Association, Student Club Union, Imagination Effect and the Student Welfare Council. The yard was filled with booths of each association and mats were prepared as a resting place for participants. There also was a board titled “Questions to the President” on which students could freely write their thoughts about KAIST’s current situation. After the greetings, the student meeting event followed. Associations introduced their major duties and ongoing businesses to students at each booth, while others enjoyed tofu-kimchi and makgeolli on the mats.
Apart from the student meeting event, there were entertaining activities for all participants. The OX quiz about KAIST and its associations was held under the Student Council’s supervision. About 30 students took part in it to solve questions related to campus life at KAIST and basic knowledge about student associations. The game ended after going through several consolation matches and winners of the quiz were awarded gift certificates.
The Haeoreum Ceremony also featured a tug-of-war tournament. Four departmental teams, each consisting of 20 student participants, competed eagerly. The winning team from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering was awarded some prizes as well. After the tournament ended the student meeting event continued until 5:00 p.m.
The president of the 25th Undergraduate Student Council, Young-Chul Kwak said, “As everyone knows, we KAIST students are having a hard time these days. At a time like this, it is crucial to gather our wisdom,” and asked fellow students to “keep their keen interest in student associations.” Also, he added that, “the student council is trying to make Haeoreum Ceremony an enjoyable event not only for association members, but for all students. It will be held next year as well, with better programs.”