Kookmin University (President Jeong Seung Ryul) held its 2023 graduation ceremony on Wednesday, August 21, at each of its colleges and graduate schools. A total of 1,283 students (1,073 bachelors, 154 masters, and 56 doctorates) were awarded degrees at the ceremony, which was attended by many students and parents. 

In his congratulatory remarks, President Jeong emphasized that "no one can control or predict what happens to them in life, but they can decide what kind of attitude they will live their lives with," and encouraged the graduates to "strive to move their lives forward in a better direction, because it is your attitude and efforts that will make difficult things in life's journey not 'stumbling blocks' but 'stepping stones'."

This year's graduates faced restrictions on everything from the way they took classes to their extracurricular activities due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which lasted for nearly three years starting in 2020. To overcome these difficulties, Kookmin University sought various ways to help students enjoy campus life. For example, during the festival period, the university headquarters organized an online dance competition, and the general student government organized an online marketplace so that students could feel the atmosphere of the university festival. In addition, students in the music department organized various events to revive the campus atmosphere that was depressed due to COVID-19, such as an online chorus to thank professors on Teacher's Day. The university also responded quickly to create quality online content. Kookmin University was praised for proactively building and upgrading its online lecture system to make it more accessible and convenient for students. The lecture method, which allows students to familiarize themselves with basic theories in advance and then organize their thoughts through question submission to interact with professors, was well received by students.

The degree conferral ceremony also included a 'Graduation Farewell Party' for international students. Kookmin University's International Student Support Center hosted a farewell event at the Global Center for about 150 international students graduating from undergraduate and graduate programs. The international students had a great time taking photos at the photo zone and receiving promotional items to help them remember their time in Korea and their university life at Kookmin University.

An official from Kookmin University said, “We will continue to generously support both Korean and international students so that they can become the human resources needed in the world,” and added, “We support their future.”

Congratulatory message from Kookmin University President Jeong Seung Ryul

Hello, I'm Jeong Seung Ryul, President of Kookmin University.

First of all, I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to today's graduates. Graduation is the result of the sweat, hard work, passion, and perseverance you have put in during your university career. We must also not forget the love of your families who have supported and encouraged you. Please take this day to express your encouragement and gratitude to yourself and your families.

Your academic career has not been without its challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic, which began in 2020 and lasted for nearly three years, had a major impact. It limited everything from the way you took classes to your extracurricular activities. But you didn't just accept the limitations - you embraced them and became a forward-thinking generation, fully experiencing a new way of learning: online. The pandemic has taught you the value of freedom and characterized you as unafraid to take on challenges. This is evidenced by the increase in the number of students who have participated in global exchange activities since the pandemic, and the results are clear.

Graduation is a time for celebration and honor, but also for excitement and fear of the challenges ahead. As you leave school, we're thinking of you. If you're preparing to enter the workforce, or even if you've found a job, the uncertainty you feel about what lies ahead is likely similar. Life can be harsh and even unpredictable at times. None of us can control or predict what life throws at us, but there are things we can control. You can decide what attitude you're going to take towards life. It is your attitude and effort that will make the difficult things in your life's journey become stepping stones instead of 'stumbling blocks'. I encourage you to strive to make your life move forward in a better direction.

Graduates, did you watch the Olympic Games that just ended? This summer has been unusually hot, but the brilliant athletes who competed in the Paris Olympics made us forget about the heat. The attitude of the athletes who pushed themselves to their limits was inspiring. The confidence with which they proudly displayed that their medals were the result of their own hard work, the consideration with which they supported their injured opponents, and the politeness with which they greeted the judges and asked for video readings made me feel that the future of Korea is bright.

Kookmin University is as proud of you as the Olympic athletes as you leave school and enter the workforce. Take your first steps with confidence, community-mindedness, and a positive attitude. Kookmin University will always cheer and support you.

August 21, 2024

Kookmin University President Jeong Seung Ryul