On August 22, the POSCO TJ Park Foundation held the POSCO Korea Fellowship Certificate Award Ceremony at the POSCO Center. The event was attended by 30 newly selected fellows, who came together to learn about the vision and mission of the Foundation and to affirm their commitment to a successful academic journey and study abroad experience in Korea.

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The POSCO Korea Fellowship is a scholarship program that supports outstanding talents from around the world in pursuing graduate studies in Korea, with the goal of cultivating future leaders who can contribute to the global community. At this year’s ceremony, the Foundation provided a detailed introduction to POSCO Group and the POSCO TJ Park Foundation, while also helping fellows build a sense of belonging and pride as scholarship recipients. In addition, the Foundation prepared a special lecture to support fellows in their early adaptation to life in Korea and emphasized opportunities for networking to encourage the growth of a vibrant academic and personal exchange community among fellows.

 

 

Before the official program, a photo booth was set up in the lobby of the POSCO Art Hall, allowing the fellows to take commemorative photos together in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Even though it was their first meeting, the fellows shared their expectations and aspirations for studying abroad as they took photos together, creating a bright and lively atmosphere throughout the event.

 

 

The ceremony, held from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m., began with welcoming remarks by Mr. Dong-gyun Choi, Executive Director of the POSCO TJ Park Foundation. In his speech, he expressed his hopes that the fellows would grow into global leaders and emphasized the significance of the Foundation’s scholarship program. The official certificate presentation followed, with each fellow receiving their certificate and taking commemorative photos to mark their first step as POSCO Korea Fellows. Afterward, the fellows each introduced themselves, presenting their academic fields, research goals, and personal commitments as fellows. This allowed participants to better understand each other’s academic backgrounds and aspirations, fostering a sense of unity and camaraderie. The program concluded with a group photo session, celebrating the beginning of the POSCO Korea Fellowship Alumni community that will be built throughout their years of study in Korea.

 

 

After a short break, the special lecture began at 4:00 p.m. Professor Jae-kyun Park of Dankook University’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering delivered a lecture titled “Your Journey as a POSCO Scholar & The Future of Ethical AI.” Professor Park was selected in the early 1990s as an overseas scholarship recipient of POSCO’s predecessor program, the Pohang Iron and Steel Scholarship Foundation (PWAC), and earned his Ph.D. in the United States.

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Speaking as a senior fellow, he shared valuable experiences and advice with the new fellows who are just beginning their study abroad journey in Korea. In his lecture, Professor Park delivered an honest and inspiring message on how to proactively design and advance one’s academic path as a POSCO Scholar, while also offering deep insights into the meaning and challenges of Ethical AI—an increasingly vital topic for the future. His personal story of challenges and achievements as a past scholarship recipient served as a strong encouragement to the fellows.

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This year’s ceremony was more than a formal scholarship presentation; it was a meaningful occasion for fellows to understand the mission and vision of the POSCO TJ Park Foundation, to build connections with their peers, and to embark on their journey as members of a new academic community. The Foundation will continue to support outstanding talents from across the globe in dedicating themselves to study and research in Korea, while standing by them as they grow not only in academic excellence but also as global leaders who contribute to international society.

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