On the 16^th of March, KDI School and POSCO TJ Park Foundation welcomed the 2012 KDIS-POSCO Asia Fellows to an awarding ceremony at the Lincoln Hall. Mr. Woo In Lee, Executive Vice President of the POSCO TJ Park Foundation and Dean Sang-Woo Nam of the KDI School presented the scholarship awards to Afdal Izal Bin MD Hashim (2012 MPP, Malaysia), Khanh Linh Vu (2012 MPP, Vietnam), Mahmud Tohtiev (2012 MDP, Uzbekistan), Nurgul Myendu (2012 MPP, Mongolia) and Nurlybek Shynali (2012 MDP, Kazakhstan).

In his congratulatory remarks, Mr. Lee highlighted the importance of nurturing the leaders of the next generation, which is one of the core mandates of the Foundation. With the Asia Fellowship Program, young intellectuals from different Asian countries are given the opportunities to learn from Korean development and engage in collaborative exchanges with students of diverse backgrounds. Mr. Lee also encouraged the awardees to learn the Korean language and imbibe its culture during their scholastic sojourn in Korea.

For his part, Dean Nam thanked the POSCO Foundation for its continuing commitment in supporting the students. Since its inception in 2006, the Asia Fellowship program has designated the KDI School as its official partner institution in educating its fellows in the fields of global governance and public policy.  “It is our hope that you accept this award not only as a reward to your hard work, but also as encouragement to become an expert in your field,” suggested Dean Nam. He reassured that “the KDI School will assist you in every possible way, sharing our vision and strength to sculpt you into a global leader.”

All five recipients of the fellowship responded with utmost gratitude for the opportunity granted to them. Ms. Khanh Linh Vu from Vietnam said that to be in Korea was a “life-changing experience to her” and thanked POSCO and KDIS for “advancing her dream.”  Other awardees shared similar determination to learn as much as they can and apply their acquired knowledge upon their return. Ms. Nurgul Myendu hoped to “prove to our esteemed sponsors that you were not wrong in choosing us.”

Mr. Yang Jae Woon, Secretary General and Mr. Jeong Yun-young, Program Manager, both from the POSCO TJ Park Foundation, also attended the awarding ceremony. The following KDIS officials also graced the event: Prof. Kwon Jung, Associate Dean of Academic and Student Affairs, Prof. Jinsoo Lee, Chair of the MDP Program and Prof. Dongchul Cho, Chair of the MPP Program.

By Maria Charmaine GUEVARA (MDP 2012, Philippines)