On February 22, KAIST held the 2013 Graduation Ceremony at 2 p.m. in the Lyu Keun-Chul Sports Complex. A total of 2,475 people received their degrees, including two honorary degrees to former Prime Minister Seung-soo Han and Chairman Lee Soo-young of KwangWon Industrial Company, 482 doctoral degrees, 1,153 master degrees, and 838 bachelor degrees. Since its foundation in 1971, KAIST has produced 46,117 intellectuals with a strong science and technology background.

Seung-Uk Jang from the Department of Mathematical Sciences was awarded the Ministry of Education and Science Technology Award for receiving the highest marks amongst the bachelor degree graduates. Other recipients of awards included, Chi-Heon Kwon from the Department of Chemistry for the Board of Trustees Award, Yong-Jin Park (24) from the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering for the Presidential Award, Bong-Soo Choi from the Department of Electrical Engineering for the Alumni Presidential Award, and Bo-Kyung Kim from the Department of Bio and Brain Engineering for the School Supported Presidential Award.

Doctor Seung-Soo Han gave the commencement speech, emphasizing the importance of finding a solution for the trilemma (water, food, and energy) of the 21st century, caused by population explosion and natural disasters, and worsened by climate change. “Use your talents to solve the gravest problems for mankind,” he pleaded. Similarly, Former President Nam Pyo Suh advised the students to “bear the ethical principles in mind and apply the education from KAIST wisely for good intentions,” and “grow as global leaders.”

This year’s graduation was particularly significant in that it marked the end of Former President Suh’s term as the 14th president of KAIST. “No one followed KAIST’s motto ASPIRE (aspiration, strong belief, pioneer spirit, imagination, and respect, and ethics) better than President Suh,” said Doctor Han. “It was an honor to have spent the most challenging and memorable seven years as the president of KAIST,” stated President Suh, “I would like to thank the entire KAIST family who helped to advance the school.”

On February 25, Former President Suh returned to the United States.