[2026 UNIST Commencement] “Become Way Makers Who Open Paths Where None Are Drawn!”

President Chong Rae Park delivered a commencement address at the 2026 UNIST Commencement Ceremony, held on Thursday, February 23, 2026, offering graduates a set of enduring life principles as they begin the next chapter of their journeys.

In his congratulatory remarks, President Park extended heartfelt congratulations to the Class of 2026. He urged graduates not to rely on conventional formulas for success, but to pioneer new paths through ‘Creative Destruction.’ He encouraged them to become true ‘Way Makers’—individuals who design the right questions and shape the future through independent, principled judgment.

The 2026 UNIST Commencement Ceremony took place at the UNIST Gymnasium on Monday, February 23, 2026.

In his congratulatory remarks, President Chong Rae Park extended heartfelt congratulations to the Class of 2026. He urged graduates not to settle for success formulas, but to pioneer new paths through ‘Creative Destruction.’ He also encouraged them to become true ‘Way Makers’ who architect the right questions and build the future through independent, principled judgment.

Addressing the rise of AI, President Park acknowledged growing concerns about technological displacement and loss of human control. Yet, he emphasized that history shows technology does not diminish those who understand it—it empowers them. Referencing the film Hidden Figures, he highlighted how Dorothy Vaughan anticipated the arrival of electronic computers at NASA and chose not to resist change, but to master it. By learning FORTRAN, she positioned herself to lead the very systems that once seemed poised to replace her team. What appeared to be a crisis became an opportunity.

President Park encouraged graduates to adopt the same mindset. “Let your work do the same,” he said. “The algorithm you design, the material you discover, the innovation you refine—each holds the potential to ease suffering, expand opportunity, and advance the sustainability of our world.” He added that the narrative graduates build around their work will ultimately become their distinctive voice, their personal brand, and their enduring strength.

Below is the complete commencement address by President Chong Rae Park:

UNIST PIONEERS, I extend my warmest congratulations to you!

This celebration would not be complete without recognizing those who have supported you along the way. I would like to begin expressing my sincere appreciation to First Vice Minister Hyuk Chae Koo of the Ministry of Science and ICT, to Founding President Moo Je Cho of UNIST, Vice Mayor for Economic Affairs Hyo-Dae Ahn of Ulsan Metropolitan City, Ulju County Governor Soon-geol Lee, and to all distinguished guests who have honored us with their presence today. Your time and encouragement add great meaning to this celebration.

In honor of your graduation, I sincerely congratulate and thank the faculty and staff members of UNIST for their dedication and sincere efforts throughout the years, culminating in this momentous day. Please also allow me to extend my heartfelt appreciation to the parents and families of our graduates for their unwavering support and to the government agencies, local communities, and benefactors whose generosity made their journeys possible.

Today, we gather not merely to confer degrees, but to mark a passage—a passage from preparation to purpose, from promise to participation, from the familiar halls of this campus to the vast and unfinished laboratory we call the world. On behalf of the entire UNIST community, I congratulate you on your perseverance and your hard-earned achievements

Dear Members of the Graduating Class,

You stand at the threshold of an era unlike any before it—an era in which yesterday’s measures no longer define tomorrow’s success. AI is reshaping the very meaning of intelligence, while advances in energy and the life sciences are transforming the foundations of society itself. This is not a period of gradual change, but a moment of Creative Destruction—an idea I emphasized earlier this year as central to our university’s progress. It is not merely the replacement of the old with the new, but the courage to outgrow past formulas and to discover, within disruption, the seeds of new evolution and creation.

This same spirit is reflected in ‘UNIST VISION 2050,’ our commitment to become a UNIque & best Science and Technology Nexus. Our recent accomplishments affirm that UNIST already stands among the world’s leading research universities. Last year, UNIST achieved exceptional distinction in the Leiden Ranking, which measures global research impact by citation performance—ranking first in Korea for nine consecutive years. In addition, nine of our scholars were recognized among the world’s top 1% most-cited researchers, placing UNIST second in Korea after Seoul National University. These achievements confirm that UNIST already stands among world-class institutions. Yet, excellence is not a destination at which we may rest. We have therefore chosen a greater calling. That is to become Way Makers who open paths where none are drawn, to serve as a Global Nexus that connects knowledge with humanity, and to rise as a university that advances not only discovery, but the quality of life for all.

Your years at UNIST were shaped by sustained inquiry, by moments when a single insight could redirect an entire effort, and by long stretches of perseverance that often went unseen. None of that time was incidental. It was the deliberate refinement of judgment, resilience, and vision—preparing you to become true Way Makers and contributors to a Global Nexus of Science and Technology. The academic robe you wear today is more than ceremonial attire. It is the visible testament of your growth—earned through countless lectures, experiments, projects, collaborations, and moments of perseverance. It signifies that you are now prepared to step forward as Way Makers, ready not only to follow paths, but to create them.

Graduates, you stand at the forefront of the future.
Allow me, then, to offer you three reflections as you step forward.

First, strive not only to answer questions, but to define them.

In an age when algorithms can retrieve information in an instant, your true advantage lies not in speed, but in depth—in your capacity to perceive hidden connections, to dismantle assumptions, to reconstruct understanding from first principles. Strengthen what I call the ‘Muscle of Wisdom,’ the discipline of thinking deeply and venturing beyond the obvious. AI may run fast, but only those who can run with it—and still stand on their own judgment—will become true Way Makers. When you face a problem, ask not only how to solve it, but why it exists, and have the courage to redefine it.

Second, build your own capacity for storytelling.

Technical expertise is your foundation, but meaning gives it reach. A discovery left unspoken serves few, and a technology whose purpose is unclear inspires none. Learn to articulate why your work matters, whom it serves, and how it transforms lives. In doing so, you do more than communicate ideas—you build trust, momentum, and shared vision.

With the rise of AI, many fear displacement. Some even worry that machines may one day surpass human control. Yet history reminds us that technology does not diminish those who understand it—it empowers them. In the film Hidden Figures, Dorothy Vaughan anticipated the arrival of electronic computers at NASA and chose not to resist change, but to master it—learning FORTRAN and, in doing so, leading the very systems that once threatened to replace her team. What appeared to be a crisis became an opportunity. Let your own work do the same. The algorithm you design, the material you discover, the innovation you refine—each has the potential to ease suffering, expand opportunity, and advance the sustainability of our world. The story you build around your work will become your distinctive voice, your personal brand, and your enduring strength.

Third, let failure be your teacher, and let community be your strength.

Do not fear ninety-nine missed swings for the sake of one decisive hit. That single success is often forged from the lessons of many imperfect attempts. Progress is rarely linear—it belongs to those who dare to try, to learn, and to rise again. Ignite the engines you have built here—your capacity for deep focus and your spirit of GRIT. Fail quickly, and begin again even more quickly.

Yet no individual, however brilliant, becomes a forest alone. Only together do our ideas find their fullest expression and their lasting value. When your achievements strengthen those around you—when your light reaches beyond your own path—you shine not only in success, but as a true UNISTar.

Esteemed Graduates,

Move forward with confidence. Be willing to part decisively with what is merely familiar and to pioneer a path that is uniquely your own. The road you choose will not be yours alone. It will help shape the course of our world and influence the future of humanity itself. There will be moments when the scale of the world feels overwhelming. In those moments, remember where you were formed—here in Ulsan, a city that stands at the crossroads of industry and innovation and is emerging as a center of AI, within a world-class research environment that demanded rigor and imagination, and within a community that believed in your potential.

And remember too, that behind you stands an enduring network—your alma mater, your peers, your shared identity as pioneers. As your President—and as someone with a little more experience in life—I promise you that UNIST will remain your lasting pride and your strongest partner.

Your graduation today is not an ending. It is an invitation—to contribute not only to your own success, but to the well-being of society and the advancement of humanity. May your endeavors be guided by courage with responsibility, wisdom with grace, and ambition with compassion. May your future elevate not only your own lives, but the quality of life for all whom you touch.

Once again, congratulations, and may your journeys be bold, purposeful, and profoundly impactful.

We Are All Pioneers!

Thank you.