On March 3, KAIST held the 2014 Undergraduate Matriculation Ceremony at 10 a.m. in the Auditorium (E15) of the main campus. This year, over 800 students joined the ranks; they and 700 parents and relatives sat in the audience watching the ceremony commence the freshman oath, sworn by the two class of 2013 representatives Kwangjun Ahn and Harim Jin.

 

▲ Matriculation ceremony welcomed the entering class of 2014
President Sung Mo Kang followed up by welcoming the freshmen with a congratulatory speech. He started by emphasizing KAIST’s rise to prominence as one of the world’s leading research universities and how it was attributed to the hard work and dedication of some 48,000 graduates who came before. He also advised the students that great personality and character are just as much important as skill and expertise to be widely respected and become a great achieving leader.
Similarly, he urged them to broaden their horizons as well as dig deep into their respective fields. “Modern society has become highly specialized,” said President Kang. “Those who are able to see the bigger picture will become great leaders. I hope you will come to possess the wisdom and vision to approach things in a multidimensional manner.” Finally, he prompted the freshmen to take full advantage of the exchange student policies to meet new people, interact with different cultures, and develop communication skills to prepare for a global future with more active exchange of culture, intellect, and academics across borders.
The KAIST Alumni Association then handed out a total of 96 million Korean Won as scholarships to 24 current students who need financial aid, show superb performance and talent, or have worked at and contributed to the KAIST Alumni Association. The ceremony ended after celebratory performances from Chorus, KAIST’s choir club, and the KAIST Orchestra.
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