Seoul launches scholarships for international master's students in tech, engineering

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Seoul launches scholarships for international master's students in tech, engineering

Published: 07 Oct. 2024, 16:51 Updated: 07 Oct. 2024, 16:54

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, right, and Kazakhstan's Minister of Science and Higher Education, Sayasat Nurbek, pose for a photo after signing a memorandum to provide scholarships to Kazakh students at a meeting on April 2. [SEOUL METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT]

The Seoul Metropolitan Government is offering the country's first scholarships to international master's students majoring in technical and engineering fields to enhance the city's future work force in high-demand sectors.

The award ceremony for the Seoul Tech Scholarship took place on Monday at Seoul City Hall in Jung District, where nine students were selected after two rounds of evaluations.

The scholarship is intended for students from developing countries who have graduated with a bachelor's degree, or are expected to graduate with one, in technical or engineering fields at local or overseas universities.

To qualify, students must be admitted to one of the technical or engineering programs at four collaborating graduate schools in Seoul: Kyung Hee University, the University of Seoul, Sungkyunkwan University and Hanyang University. Candidates can only be considered with a recommendation from their respective graduate schools.

Applicants must also meet specific criteria, including age and academic performance.

The city and the four participating universities will provide up to 20 million won ($14,800) per scholar for two years of master's studies, covering full tuition, living expenses and health insurance.

Additional programs such as Korean language education, legal counseling and networking events will be offered to assist scholars in settling in Seoul.

The scholarship program was launched following a memorandum of understanding signed in April between the Seoul Metropolitan Government, the Seoul Scholarship Foundation, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Science and Higher Education and the four collaborating universities.

“We hope the Seoul Tech Scholarship will empower students to pursue their dreams with confidence,” said Lee Hae-sun, Director-General of the Global City Policy Bureau at the Seoul Metropolitan Government. “We are committed to enhancing the city’s competitiveness by attracting talented individuals in technical and engineering fields.”

BY WOO JI-WON [woo.jiwon@joongang.co.kr]