Enhancing University Development: Keimyung and its Vietnamese Alumni
- Forty-five Keimyung Vietnamese students formed an alumni association, with Do Phong Thuý, a professor at Vietnam National University, Hanoi, as their first president
- Promised various forms of support and funds to help international students study and live at Keimyung University
- Vietnamese graduates of Keimyung University formed an alumni association to support their alma mater's development.
On February 17, 2024, the 'Ceremony for Establishment of Vietnam Alumni Association of Keimyung University' took place at the SUNWAH Hall of VNU University of Languages and International Studies with 45 Vietnamese alumni gathering from all over Vietnam.
The ceremony was also attended by major university officials and Korean alumni, Kim Seon-jung, Vice President for International Affairs, and Choi Jae-jin, President of the Korean Foundation Hanoi office. Vice President Kim Seon-jung, who also taught Korean language education to the first nine Vietnamese students in 2001, said, 'I am thrilled to see the proud alumni of Keimyung University active in various fields in Vietnam, and proud to see our efforts paying off.' Adding, 'I believe that the 1,070 Vietnamese students studying at our university will learn from and emulate their seniors, becoming leaders of Vietnam in the near future. We will also ensure that our university supports the Vietnam Alumni Association, fostering a mutually beneficial relationship for both parties.’
During his welcome speech, President Choi Jae-jin reminisced about his school days, stating, 'It is an honor to meet the alumni who studied on the same campus with me here today. We will strive to make the alumni association a place where Korean alumni living in Vietnam can participate, and transcending mere affiliation with Vietnamese graduates.'
The alumni in attendance at the ceremony are presently engaged in diverse fields, ranging from academia and entrepreneurship to government service. They expressed immense delight at the establishment of the Vietnam Alumni Association.
Do Phong Thuý (40), a professor at VNU University of Languages and International Studies, has been selected as the inaugural president of the Alumni Association. Professor Do Phong Thuý began his journey with Keimyung University by enrolling in the bachelor’s program for Teaching Korean as a Foreign Language in 2004. He subsequently completed his master's and PhD degrees at Keimyung University and currently serves as the deputy director of the Department of Korean Language and Korean Culture at VNU University of Languages and International Studies. Additionally, the alumni association plans to elect Tong Van Dong as vice chairman, along with three other members, to ensure active and systematic operation.
Hong Thi Ngoc Lan (69), the first Vietnamese student to study at Keimyung University in 2001, expressed, “Although I started studying in Korea at a late age, I was able to learn a lot from Keimyung University. I am especially proud to spread what I have learned in the field of early childhood education from Korean to Vietnam. I am soon to be 70 years old, but my memories at Keimyung University are always precious and vividly remembered. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Keimyung University, President Synn Ilhi, and especially the late Professor Park Byung-hee for educating early childhood education experts in a significant way.'
Keimyung University was recently selected as an 'Excellent Certification University' in the evaluation of the educational internationalization capability certification system conducted by the Ministry of Education. The university received excellent ratings for consistently managing evaluation indicators such as the rates of illegal aliens, dropouts, education completion, and the official language abilities of international students. Keimyung University will continue its commitment to bringing in talented international resources and maintaining consistency in this regard.