KU’s 2021 Entrance Ceremony Held

KU’s 2021 entrance ceremony was held at SBS Hall in the KU Media Center on March 2, at 10:30 am. To prevent the spread of COVID-19, the event was broadcast live on KU’s official YouTube channel. Approximately 70 freshmen who applied in advance participated in the entrance ceremony through the interactive video conferencing platform Zoom.

Scholarship certificates were awarded to outstanding freshmen with excellent exam scores. Five representative students received scholarship certificates at the ceremony on behalf of a total of 80 scholarship students, comprised of two Anam scholarship students, 11 Science Talent scholarship students, 49 Crimson scholarship students, and 18 Regular Exam scholarship students.

At the entrance ceremony, President Chung, Jin Taek said, “KU has waited 116 years to meet you, the new students of 2021. You are precious individuals with infinite potential, and college is the most open environment that you have experienced to this point in your life. I hope that you can develop not only your academic knowledge, but also your personality, and your sense of dignity, judgement, and wisdom. In hoping that you can fully pursue your dreams at KU, I would like to ask of you the following three things.”

First, he advised that “while studying at KU, please reflect on your ‘true self’, and meditate on your ultimate dreams for your life. I hope that you will find your true self through the various experiences you undergo during your time here, and establish your own unique mission in life.” He continued “rather than meeting the standards set by others, you should conceive of a life that can realize your own values, and achieve the goals you yourself have set. Since the future will be a turbulent period filled with uncertainty, both the assimilation of new knowledge and the ability to think differently from the past are essential. When your unlimited imagination and creativity are combined with solid academic foundations, you will embody the spirit of innovation.” He hoped that students will be able to discover their true self during their school life in order to grow into a creative talent who can produce new values.

Second, he recommended “breaking down all boundaries, with the thought that there is an entire continent of knowledge waiting for you to discover it. Albert Einstein stated, ‘Common sense is the collection of prejudices acquired by age eighteen.’ In the future society that is enmeshed in a ‘new normal’ and the Fourth Industrial Revolution, consilience and convergence will be the core imperatives, and people equipped with such attitudes and abilities will be needed.” He added “thus, I recommend that you focus not only on your major fields but also on other, completely different disciplines. When we break down the boundaries between disciplines and try to bring diverse bodies of knowledge into contact with each other, we can stride forward. When we decompartmentalize our minds and embrace people with diverse thoughts, cultures, and backgrounds, we can experience further growth. You have marched towards the single goal of passing the entrance exam, but now please try to explore various paths with a wider and more far-reaching outlook, and an open mind.”

Finally, he said “I encourage you from this point on to overcome your fear of failure and to constantly problematize the boundaries you operate within.” He continued “College is the place where you can not only accumulate academic knowledge but also develop the competitive skills required to succeed in a tough environment. I hope that, while experiencing the joy of achievement after continuous exploration and challenge, you will also gain the strength that comes from enduring failure and achieving recovery. There is no meaningless experience in this world. Fearlessly challenging your limits will help you grow into a competitive and innovative future talent.”

In his congratulatory video, President of the KU Alumni Association Koo, Ja-yeol said, “I am sorry we have had to meet online due to COVID-19, but I can sense your confidence and energy.” He added, “While studying at KU, challenge yourself constantly, love knowledge passionately, and demonstrate your creative capacities to your utmost.”

Congratulatory videos of KU alumni followed. The actress Lee, In-hye said, “Thanks to the excellent teaching and advice of KU professors, I have been able to fulfill two vocations, that of actress and professor. I hope that you will also enjoy a productive and fruitful college life while experiencing and learning many things at KU.” General CEO of Esteem Group Kim, So-yeon said, “The foundations of my start-up were laid at KU. So I believe that KU will be of great help in your journey towards your goals.” She hoped that the students will constantly work on developing themselves. The novelist Jeong, Se-rang, who wrote Health Teacher Ahn Eun-young and From Siseon, offered the congratulatory message, “Wonderful days await you when you pursue your dreams step by step.”

Three new students, including Annabelle Eileen Lucia Uhlemann (Division of International Studies) from Germany, accepted the award of student badges on behalf of the KU freshmen of 2021. Since this ceremony was held virtually, KU prepared an online video clip to introduce major attractions to freshmen who could not visit the campus.

President Chung communicated with two of the 70 freshmen who attended the Zoom event. Freshman Lee, Kyung-ha (Department of Computer Science and Engineering) said, “I have always admired KU professors who have shared their expertise in the media. I will work hard in my studies and research in order to become an outstanding student who will do my school proud.” Student Sung, Hyun-gyu (Division of Health Policy and Management) said, “It is an honor to be admitted to the college that I have longed to be part of. I would like to achieve successful results and create wonderful memories here.” He also said that for three years at high school, his phone’s home screen displayed the quote, “Place your youthful hopes in KU. KU will place the world in you.” He added that he would like to become a person who centers his life around the needs of the country and of his neighbors.