EKF Scholarship Programme 2003
EKF launched its scholarship programme to allow talented students who are financially strapped to study in graduate schools or experience internships in Europe.
The program enabled students, future business leaders of Korea, to become familiar with the corporate culture, economic structure and system of Europe. When allocated appropriately, these talented personnel will make contributions to Korea¡¯s business in Europe, as well as help promote Korea - Europe relations.
Launching Ceremony of the EKF Scholarship Programme 2003
EKF held the Launching Ceremony of the EKF Scholarship Programme 2003 at The Hyatt Hotel – Grand Ball Room on July 2, 2003.
First Lady, Mrs. Yang-Sook Kwon, was the honorary guest of the event. She congratulated the students awarded with the scholarship and wished the Europe-Korea Foundation to continue its good work towards Korean society.
With this new project EKF aims to strengthen ties between EU countries and Korea by sending Korean graduate students with financial needs and exceptional merit to undertake Master¡¯s degrees at some of the best European universities and internships at some well-known EU companies. In its first year, EKF sent around 11 South Korean students to different European countries, such as UK, France, Germany, Italy, and Portugal.
Mr. Marcos Gomez, Honorary President of EKF, mentioned during the Launching Ceremony that ¡°it is EKF¡¯s belief that every country needs its best educated people to have some international expertise.¡±
The Programme
¨ª Objectives
¨ª Background
¨ª Financial Support
¨ª Fields / Sections or Research or Study
¨ª The Purpose of the Scholarship for Korean Students
1. Objectives
EKF established a permanent social programme of scholarships awarded to Koreans for studies in Europe. In recognition of the importance of cross-cultural exchange in today¡¯s global society, EKF believes that a scholarship programme will deepen the understanding between Korean and European countries and strengthen their relation.
The aim of this programme was to enhance the relationship between European countries and South Korea by transmitting to young students the goals and educational methods of some of the best and most modern European universities. Furthermore, this programme aimed to familiarize a pool of future Korean executives with Europe¡¯s business culture, its economic structure and its institutions, so that in the future these well-placed employees will help Korean companies with their business relations with Europe.
2. Background
EKF was founded in May 2001, with the approval from the Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade and with the support from member countries of European Union as well as from several European companies, established in Korea.
Their interest in the EKF projects lays not only the regional exchanges between them but also in the relationship enhancement in the field of economy, welfare, and social life.
The scholarship programme was launched in recognition of the need to establish and improve mutual understanding between Korea and EU countries. It is supported by the Ministry of Education in Korea and by some EU companies.
The EKF Scholarship Programme was launched in the academic year of 2003/2004 and will be continued in the future.
3. Financial Support
Korean and EU corporations as well as individual sponsors support the foundation¡¯s scholarship programme. Fund directed to the programme are tax-deductible.
The number of scholarships available depends chiefly upon the number of sponsors. The scholarship varies according to the costs of living in the hosting country, the length of stay of the scholar, and the nature of his/her studies.
4. Fields/ Sections or Research or Study
- Business and Economics, Marketing, and Engineering
- Law, Political Science, International Relations, and Public Administration
- Humanities and Social Sciences: Philology, Literature, Translation, Linguistics, History, Educational Studies and Communication
- Exact Sciences: Architecture, Physics, Chemistry, Pharmaceutics, Biology, Mathematics, and Information Systems
- Arts: Visual Arts, Music, Dance, Theatre, Photography, and Film Studies.
- Sports
5. The Purpose of the Scholarship for Korean Students
EKF Scholarships offer Korean students of exceptional ability, enrolled at one of the institutions participating in the programme, the opportunity to pursue graduate studies in engineering, arts, economics, language studies, sports, and sciences at European universities. The scholarship programme also provides the opportunity to experience life in Europe, to forge friendships with European students and with students from many other countries enrolled at European universities. The experience and new perspectives that can be gained by living abroad and adjusting to new challenges, will provide personal insights, which will benefit the students and their future employers in the long run.
