GKS Alumni Gather to Discuss Life in Korea and Their Future

The Ministry of Education, led by Minister Choi Kyo-jin, and the National Institute for International Education, led by President Han Sang-shin, will hold the 2026 Global Korea Scholarship Alumni Networking Event, or GKS Homecoming Day, on Saturday, June 27 at the institute in Seongnam.

The GKS Homecoming Day is the first event designed specifically for Global Korea Scholarship alumni who reside in Korea.* It was arranged to build lasting connections by strengthening bonds and expanding networks among alumni, and to support their settlement in Korean society.

- About 100 alumni who registered in advance are expected to attend

Part 1 will feature a talk concert where GKS alumni share their experiences of living in Korea and their future career plans. Part 2 will offer an expert lecture, counseling and networking programs. Participants will exchange information needed for settling in Korea, including employment and career development, and have time to strengthen cooperation and connections among alumni.

Minister of Education Choi Kyo-jin will join the talk concert with alumni who have developed into professionals in fields including the economy and education. They will discuss their experiences of settling in Korea, career paths and future plans, while the minister will recognize the participants' growth and achievements.

The Global Korea Scholarship, or GKS, is Korea's flagship scholarship program. Each year it invites outstanding talent from around the world and supports recipients in earning degrees at Korean universities and graduate schools. Since the program began in 1967, it has selected and supported 19,502 talented people from 161 countries through 2025.*

- 15,679 master's and doctoral students, 3,124 bachelor's students, 388 associate-degree students, 210 research-program participants and 101 language trainees

To systematically support talented scholarship recipients in settling and entering society in Korea, the Ministry of Education and the National Institute for International Education operate employment-capability programs for recipients seeking work in Korea, including consulting such as mock interviews and special lectures on corporate recruitment. They also keep alumni information current and actively support stronger domestic and international alumni cooperation and networking through assistance for overseas alumni associations and training programs for invited outstanding alumni.

Minister Choi Kyo-jin plans to say, “GKS alumni are valuable people who connect Korea and the world, and they are a strong link for international exchange and cooperation.” He will add, “I hope this event allows alumni living in Korea to share their experiences and broaden the foundation for cooperation. We will continue to actively support GKS alumni so they can further develop their expertise and capabilities in their respective fields and grow into key talent contributing to the international community.”

【Attachment】 1. Overview of the GKS Alumni Networking Event

1. Overview of the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS)

• Event overview
• Purpose: Strengthen networks among alumni residing in Korea, establish a structure for continued exchange and foster pride as GKS alumni through the provision of diverse information
• Event: GKS Alumni Networking Event (GKS Homecoming Day)
• Date/venue: Saturday, June 27, 2026, 14:30–18:30 / Global Education Hall, National Institute for International Education, Seongnam
• Participants: About 120 Korea-based GKS alumni and officials from the Ministry of Education, foreign missions in Korea and the institute
• Main program
• Part 1: Opening and congratulatory remarks, alumni talk concert* and group commemorative photo

*【 Participants in the GKS alumni talk concert 】 ▸ Dang Thi Ngoan (Vietnam, invited in 2011): PhD in Accounting, Yeungnam University / Visiting professor in Global Business and staff member responsible for international-student admissions, Office of International Affairs, Yeungnam University ▸ Debiko Robert Lewis (United States, invited in 2016): Master's degree in Korean Language and Literature, Yonsei University / Head of the Global Story Planning Team, Funding Insider ▸ Sek Seremony (Cambodia, invited in 2018): Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Yonsei University / AI data engineer, SK Telecom ▸ Atiga Reynald John (Philippines, invited in 2022): MA in Education, Jeonbuk National University / Assistant manager, Startup Incubation Division, PG Ventures Co., Ltd. ▸ Valdorieva Sayana (Russia, invited in 2023): Master's degree in Political Science and Diplomacy, Sungkyunkwan University / Head of Overseas Sales, Saiberia Co., Ltd.

• Part 2: Expert lecture and counseling, alumni activities (recreation) and dinner
• Event schedule

• Background
• Select and invite outstanding international talent and support degree studies in Korea at the associate, bachelor's, master's and doctoral levels, thereby fostering people with affinity for Korea and raising Korea's international standing
• Progress
• 1967: Began as the Korean Government Scholarship Program for Foreign Students
• 2009: Announced the Global Korea Scholarship at the Korea-ASEAN Summit
• 2010: Established “Global Korea Scholarship” as a national brand
• 2022: Added graduate research and development (R&D) and undergraduate University-Industry Cooperation (UIC) tracks
• 2024: Added the Global Network and International Reconstruction Talent tracks
• Main details
• Eligible recipients: Associate-degree, bachelor's, master's and doctoral scholarship students invited from about 160 countries
• Support period: 1 year of Korean-language training plus 2–6 years in a degree program (associate, bachelor's, master's or doctoral)

• Support: Tuition, airfare, Korean-language training costs, academic incentive allowance and other benefits
• Results: 19,502 recipients from 161 countries (1967–2025)