[2019 Matriculation] “The future belongs to those who prepare for it.”

The 2019 UNIST Matriculation Ceremony was held in the Auditorium (2F) of Main Administration Building at UNIST on Tuesday, February 19, 2019.

The ceremony featured the Oath of Freshmen, followed by the awarding of UNISTAR scholarship certificates, as well as greetings and welcome remarks by UNIST President Mooyoung Jung and other distinguished guests.

For all the matriculating students, President Jung noted, “The future belongs to those who prepare for it.” He then added, “Throughout your years at UNIST, I encourage you to use your time wisely and work steadily to achieve your goals in order to become global leaders that the world needs.”

The 2019 Matriculation Ceremony, held in 2F Auditorium of Main Administration Building at UNIST, welcomed 384 freshmen.

Below is the complete welcome address by President Mooyoung Jung:

Dear UNIST freshmen!

Today, we celebrate the arrival of new freshmen and transfer students. Please allow me to express my warm welcome to all of you on his auspicious occasion. I would also like to take a moment to acknowledge the contributions of your parents, family members, and teachers who have supported you on your road to UNIST.

Dear UNIST freshmen!

UNIST, which you will join from today, has accomplished remarkable success both internally and externally. Since its opening in 2009, UNIST has recruited distinguished professors, built state-of-the-art research facilities, and provided excellent education and diverse benefits to its students. As a result, eight UNIST researchers have distinguished themselves by being included in the annual list of ‘Highly Cited Researchers 2018’, which selects the most highly cited scientists by citations. This is the second highest number among South Korean universities.

UNIST has also proved its research excellence by ranking 1st in South Korea for the second consecutive year in the CWTS Leiden Rankings. In terms of citations, UNIST retained the top position in South Korea and 48th place globally, according to the 2018 THE World University Rankings. Furthermore, in the 2018 edition of THE World’s Best Small Universities ranking that evaluates universities with fewer than 5,000 students, UNIST was ranked at 1st place in Asia and 6th place in the world.

Dear UNIST freshmen!

Today, you embark on a new, exciting chapter in your life and I congratulate you on your achievements thus far. In the next four years, you will have the best possible opportunity to deepen and extend your knowledge. Your future depends on how effectively you manage this time.

Peter Drucker, the legendary management guru, once said “The best way to predict the future is to create it,” Indeed, the future belongs to those who prepare for it. Throughout your years at UNIST, I encourage you to use your time wisely and work steadily to achieve your goals in order to become global leaders that the world needs.

Globalization is the key for your advancement in the world. In that regard, UNIST, the only university in South Korea where 100% of lectures are taught in English, will become the platform to help you grow as a globally-minded leader. In this globalized world, the ability to communicate in English is not an option but a requirement. Your campus life at UNIST will be the basis for you to freely communicate as a dignified member of the international arena.

In addition, UNIST has mandated that all students take AI training. This is to strengthen the university’s big data and AI-related education to foster talented individuals with the right skill sets and capabilities in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The newly-established AI research lab at UNIST will help you become great future leaders.

At the same time, I urge you to develop into talented individuals with integrity, morality and a caring spirit. Maintaining law and order and taking responsibility for our actions and words, instead of blaming others is the basis of everything.

UNIST has a big dream of becoming a “World-leading university to advance science and technology for the prosperity of humankind”. In that respect, please have consideration and respect for others. When we think of great qualities of 21st century leaders, the first things that come to mind are traits like good manners, courtesy, respect and consideration for others. Those are the qualities one needs to have to be a true 21st century leader.

Every member of UNIST will do our best to support you, so that you can fully demonstrate your talent and creativity during your time at UNIST.

On our campus, we have ‘Nine Bridges’ to celebrate and recognize the accomplishments of those highly intelligent, hard-working researchers that are equal to that of Nobel Prize Winners. We hope these bridges will soon be named after one of you

Let me once again reiterate my sincere congratulations for your admission to UNIST. We wish you every success in your studies.

Thank you.

Mooyoung Jung
President, UNIST