Hounded by assignments barely even a month into the semester, KAIST students (with good reason) frequently forget that they are part of the wider local and global community. Even if they were so inclined to take part and make a difference, opportunities to do so do not present themselves easily in this corner of Korea, isolated from most big events in Seoul and even from other local universities. Therefore it was with both great surprise and high expectations that The KAIST Herald went to meet the KAIST representative of a renowned international organization involved precisely with such activities – Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE).

Can you briefly introduce yourself?
Hello, my name is Jung Hye Han and I am a senior dual majoring in the Department of Computer Science and the Department of Management Sciences. I am the current acting President of KAIST’s SIFE chapter, having joined a year and a half ago.

So what exactly is SIFE about?
SIFE’s mission is “to bring together the top leaders of today and tomorrow to create a better, more sustainable world through the positive power of business.” SIFE is a non-profit organization bringing together an international network of university students. These people work to make a difference in their communities through independent business outreach projects. With branches in 39 countries worldwide, 1518 universities participating and over 12 million US dollars in corporate sponsorship, SIFE provides students who are willing to make a difference with ample human and financial resources to realize their aspirations.
Since its inception in 2005, SIFE Korea has expanded to 28 universities here including Seoul National University, Korea University, Yonsei University, Chungnam National University, and of course, KAIST.
SIFE KAIST takes part in numerous events such as competitions, training workshops and conferences. This July, KAIST’s SIFE team received the Spirit Award in the SIFE National Competition for its performance. It is worth noting that teams who perform well in the annual series of regional and national competitions can participate in the SIFE World Cup, which brings together members from all 39 countries.

What projects is KAIST SIFE involved in?
This semester there are two projects in total. First, “All” is about a relatively unknown topic: Korean traditional falconry. Although falconry (a hunting game with tame birds for prey) has a very long history in Korea, lately only a few people here have been able to keep the practice alive. Although the falconer in question, Mr. Park Yong-soon – as an “intangible cultural heritage” and one of the few traditional falconers today - has been sustained by meager government funds, these are not enough for him to support both himself and his birds. “All” intends to find channels to promote and support falconry such as online crowdfunding and guest appearances on TV programs.
The second and final project “Leap” is about the most needy individuals in our society: homeless people. We believe it is part of our responsibility to provide these individuals with livelihood. As such, we provided four homeless men from the local homeless shelter with funds to establish a small café. As the scheme is still in its initial stages, people can pitch in with new profit models and management plans. It is our hope that this example may inspire others to do their part to aid the needy in their attempts for self-reliant living.

So what types of people is SIFE looking for?
We are looking for people who have a keen mind for business. People who are always full of ideas on how to improve existing systems and know how to implement their plans are always welcome. Also important is a willingness to be active in realizing such plans; we are a very hands-on organization directly involved with the people and communities we are trying to help. Most important of all however is a sense of social responsibility – a notion that the privileged members of society are accountable for the welfare of those less fortunate. I am confident that people with the qualities listed will not only have a lot to offer to KAIST SIFE, but also receive a lot of experience and skills in return.

Do you have anything else to say to the students?
Thinking back to when I first joined SIFE, I was simply hoping to learn a thing or two about business. Yet SIFE has provided me with much more than textbook knowledge; I had hands-on experience with marketing, financial management, and human networking. Working with SIFE also has given me the satisfaction of having truly made a difference in this world. Plus, through SIFE’s networks, I was able to meet not only some of the most brilliant and exemplary people in KAIST but also many other inspiring SIFErs from universities across Korea. I can assure everyone that working in SIFE is truly a life-changing experience.