First graduates turned out after the GIST college’s founding
Developed researchers in the convergence of science and technology armed with ‘humanities’

 

- Korea’s first Liberal Arts College in the field of natural science and engineering, turned out 54 graduates who received education in humanities and social science
- GIST suggested an innovation model for university education in science and technology, resulting in the achievement of SCI thesis, etc.
- Events, including a special speech from UC Berkeley’s professor Luke P. Lee, making of time capsules, a parade of graduates, etc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

□ Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST, President ž Young Joon Kim), which develops a small number of talented students in the convergence and creativity of science and technology, turned out its first graduates from GIST College since its founding.

 

○ On February 24, 2014, GIST announced that it will hold the graduation ceremony for 2013 at the Oryonghall of GIST at 2pm on February 25, 2014 (Tuesday), where 54 students of the 1st graduates of GIST College will receive degrees, together with 37 students for doctorate degrees and 128 students for master’s degrees.

 

○ Since GIST obtained the approval for the establishment of undergraduate courses in 2008, GIST benchmarked the curriculum of advanced science and engineering colleges, including Caltech in the US, to select 100 students for the first undergraduate’s courses in the academic year of 2010.

 

□ The 54 GIST graduates are students who majored in four different fields, including physics, chemistry, biology and engineering and applied science considered as talents in the convergence of science and technology armed with humanities and social science.

 

○ Until now, GIST College was the first in Korea to advocate ‘Liberal Arts College of Science’ in the field of natural science and engineering, thereby introducing new educational methods, including establishing educational environment and curriculum for the development of a small number of talented people in science and technology, establishing a dormitory-type studying and living community (residential college) through house systems, and operating basic education (1st and 2nd years) to explore majors and strengthen general education of humanities, social science and basic science.

 

○ At GIST, it is mandatory to complete a minimum of 24 credits (about 20%) subjects in humanities and social science out of 130 credits required for graduation, including recommending the reading of 100 classics, to emphasize the importance of knowledge in humanities and social science to students of natural science and engineering.

 

○ Various systems are being implemented to develop talented people of creativity and convergence in natural science and engineering, such as making it mandatory for all students to complete more than certain credits of classes in art training (more than 4 semesters), including music, art and physical training (more than 6 semesters). Also, in order to prevent students from focusing only in one area, more than 36 credits (12 subjects) of major are not acknowledged by adopting the ‘Rule of 12’.

 

○ The dean of GIST College, Noh Do-Young said, “We make sure students communicate actively with their professors and colleagues by providing education in a small number of students. Also, since the students have to live together in houses as a community away from their parents for 4 years, they learn to be independent intellectuals, as well as learning how to live together with other people. GIST College turns out students who received global education, enabling them to be talented people of convergence in basic education that stand out in all areas regardless of where they are in the world.”

 

□ Also, the graduates of GIST College received admission to excellent domestic and foreign graduate schools, including Caltech but about 80% (42 persons) decided to go on to GIST’s graduate schools. It show that successful establishment of talent development in science and technology that cover all periods (bachelor-master-doctor) being implemented by GIST.

 

○ Students of GIST College were able to develop their capabilities as researchers for future science and technology by participating in G-SURF, a summer program for participating in research, and internships at research centers to experience GIST’s graduate schools, or directly participate in researches under the GIST College’s academic advisor.

 

○ In the case of Ms. Bo Young Kang (chemistry major) who graduated summa cum laude at the graduation ceremony, she was the lead author of the thesis published in Organic Letters, a prestigious magazine in organic chemistry, with SCI (Science Citation Index)’s registration in March 2013, attracting the attention of the science and technology world and the media.

 

□ In celebration of its first graduates for undergraduate courses, GIST held a variety of events, including the presentation ceremony of honorary doctorate degree, the eve of the graduation ceremony, the making of time capsules and the campus parade of graduates.

 

○ At the graduation ceremony, GIST will give an honorary doctorate degree to a world-renowned scholar, Luke P. Lee (Korean name: Pyeong Se Lee) (Professor of bioengineering at UC Berkeley), in nano-bio-photonics, where he will give a special speech to celebrate the graduation. Professor Luke P. Lee plan to give a speech on the theme of ‘Enjoy CREATIVITY in You’ to graduates for about 40 minutes.

 

○ On February 24, 2014 (Monday), the day before the graduation ceremony, various events will be held, including the presentation of excellent thesis award winners and graduation memorial tablets and the screening of videos made by students, with the attendance of about 100 people, including all professors, graduates and enrolled students.

 

○ As part of the eve of the graduation ceremony, graduates will hold a ceremony to seal ‘time capsules’ which will be opened ten years later. The students put their student ID cards they used and the photos their four years at GIST College inside the time capsules, which they plan to open at the reunion held on the Saturday of the last week in February of 2024. Until then, the time capsules will be stored inside the GIST College’s building.

 

○ Also, the parade of ‘GiStar, March for the Dream’ will be held where GIST College’s graduates will take a walk to the hall of the graduation ceremony with a samulnori team leading them, starting from 1:30pm on the day of the graduation ceremony. Graduates will march towards the ceremony wearing their graduation gowns and caps from the GIST College’s building where they studied for 4 years to the Oryonghall where their families will congratulate them.

 

□ The President of GIST, Young Joon Kim, said, “Based on its know-how from GIST’s graduate schools equipped with world-class research capacity, GIST College developed an innovation model in the education of natural science and engineering during the past 4 years. Since the students received education in the convergence of science and technology together with knowledge in humanities, I look forward to the students developing in the field of science and technology, contributing to the development of science and technology.”