GIST students Best for local youngsters

 

GIST students in M.A and Ph.D course volunteer to tutor about 120 local students in middle and high school.

 Students and parents are taking classes in GIST science school which is open on Wednesdays of third week every month.

One girl student whose surname is Kim (age 14, the second grade in middle school) comes to get interested in studying english. She who once couldn"t afford to go to private english institution due to financial difficulty gets free english-tutoring in the afternoon on every Saturday at local children center at Moonheungdong, Book-ku, Gwang-Ju.

Hwang, Hyeon Jun (aged 24 under M.A and Ph.D course majoring in materials science and engineering) from GIST education volunteering group teaches five middle schoolers in the second grade including Ms. Kim TOEIC, a standard test for english proficiency.

GIST continue to be committed to local social project such as volunteering service for the marginalized.

GIST is currently running a so-called "GIST Education Center" where 24 GIST volunteers provide after-school tutoring.

They have taught math, English and science to 120 middle and high school students in 13 local children centers at Gwangsan-gu and Book-gu in Gwangju since the 16th of last month. GIST students in M.A and Ph.D make time out of their busy research schedule to go to the center every Saturday for a 2-hour class.

The volunteering students say they feel good and it"s worthwhile. Hong, Jun Hee (25, about to begin Ph.D course in Information and Communication) who teaches math to seven middle school students at one center said that she is happy to tutor thanks to students who listen to her with enthusiasm and added that some students ask questions or even other subject by email when they are doing their assignment.

Local centers and students are welcoming and praising this service. Lee Sam-Nan, head of the Imdong local center at Book-gu in Gwangju told that just meeting graduates of GIST gets disadvantaged adolescents inspired and that students are happy to take classes since teachers teach them in a very fun and kind manner.

GIST has expanded local cooperation projects such as donating science books and equipment to 10 primary schools in remote areas. "Science school" which is open for elementary school students and parents at 7 pm. on Wednesdays of third week of every month is a case in point.

In addition, the institution recently invited about 160 students of 3 children welfare facilities to cultural events.

<2010.2.23 한겨레 게재>