KAIST Run is an event where one donates funds by running at a track event, like a marathon. Although not the first of its kind, KAIST Run is one of the first in Korea to host such activities. The KAIST Herald went to find out the behind story and details about the event.
▲ Hyojin Chin
Firstly, could you briefly introduce yourself to the readers?
Hello, I am Hyojin Chin from KAIST College of Business Information & Media Master of Business Administration (IMMBA) of the entering class of 2013.
You seem to be quite passionate about the event. Is there a personal drive or meaning?
Having worked in a company before my MBA, I wanted to participate in a student activity that I felt passionate about. The IMMBA degree requires 10 hours of volunteer work prior to graduation to emphasize social responsibility, and I offered my colleagues to join me in Habitat for Humanities at the end of May. Despite the activity taking two days from our five-day leave from a semester of arduous curriculum, the activity attracted more than I had expected. 25 of us, some from different departments, went to the overnight Habitat for Humanities program and the feedback was great. Having colleagues alongside me made the experience less arduous and more enjoyable. Later, I learned that others were also interested in similar programs.
Only the younger joined Habitat. Would it not be better if a more diverse population could participate? I thought and arrived at running. You see, I like running and participate in 10 km marathons biannually. Sort of a running mania, if you will. Inviting 100 participants was more symbolic than realistic. Problem was, if we could not gather 100 runners for the Chuncheon Marathon, the event could have been cancelled. It was early July then, and I was in the United States; I was hesitant but had to make a decision. So I simply went with it and paid the entrance fee for 100 participants in fear. At the end of August, nearly 100 runners magically gathered and the marathon happened.
Is there a particular reason why the fund will be helping multicultural households? What does providing science education to the children mean to them and the society?
The funds gathered in good will and we received much support, and I searched for a cause that people would empathize with the most. One day, I came to the Daejeon KAIST campus to meet the Graduate Student Council and discussed what KAIST would do best, and many wished that such events become regular. Well, we are great at science. So, we chose to associate the event with science education, which held greater meaning for both us and the college than it did by just donating the money. The fact that the College of Business Student Council donated to the Multiculture Center in 2010 and 2011 was partially the reason, but the choice became decisive when we heard that KAIST WE Center collaborated with LG in running a science program for multicultural children. Vice Executive Meng from WE happily agreed to the cause.
Why is the goal 30 million Korean Won, and how was it gathered? How do you plan to use the donations?
After consulting to design a science camp for 100 students, we got a quote of 23 million Korean Won, so 30 million seemed to be appropriate. Until November 10, we received over 20 million Korean Won from 603 donors. 23 million would have been ideal, but I am still amazed and thankful of the donations - the participants were so philanthropic. Many acquaintances and professors participated; SK Foundation Happy Nanum provided meals; an acquaintance donated a trip to Saipan as a lottery prize; and a few upperclassmen sponsored drinks for the event separately from their donations. Every day was a joy.
The heartfelt donations will be used in January for the science camp program for children of multicultural households. Participants from the marathon may of course participate as mentors and the non-runners are invited to help, especially those who have a knack for science.
Donations are accepted on the condition that it must be given under the name of someone running the marathon, why is that?
I started running marathons after reading What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murakami. Running differs from other sports in that one competes with oneself, not others; plus, no special tools, skills, or environment are required. Anyone knows that running 10 km or a full course requires a greater dedication compared to sprinting 100 m, and it is a cheer-worthy act, especially when the motivation is pure. In fact, there are numerous cases in North America where special services exist for activities like making large donations by running in triathalons.
Could you give your fellows a word of motivation to participate in volunteer works?

Sometimes be meddlesome, especially nowadays where competition is intensified and people focus on maximizing their own goals and profit. If you are a KAIST student, you probably grew up in a good environment with quality education along other benefits. There are many who have not had that opportunity, and it is therefore important that the privileged be thankful for their fortune and acknowledge their social responsibility. 

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