Seoul: The South Korean government will expand the proportion of foreign students majoring in artificial intelligence, science, and engineering as part of its official development assistance (ODA) scholarship program, officials announced Thursday. The initiative aims to increase the share of master's and Ph.D. students in these fields under the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) program to 45 percent by 2027, up from the current 40.9 percent, as part of efforts to cultivate future talent in the AI and digital sectors.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the Office for Government Policy Coordination made the announcement following a meeting at Seoul National University. The meeting gathered foreign students on the GKS program to discuss their experiences studying and living in South Korea, and to hear their opinions on issues such as visas, jobs, and potential improvements to the program.
Launched in 1968, the GKS program has provided scholarships to 19,502 individuals from 161 countries, contributing to the development of numerous leaders in various fields. Notable alumni include an education minister from Ghana, a university president in Ethiopia, and a Supreme Court justice in Kazakhstan.
Kim Jin-nam, a senior official overseeing the ODA program, stated that the scholarship program aims to nurture skilled individuals in partner countries, supporting their sustainable growth. He emphasized the strategic value of the project, highlighting its role in attracting science and engineering talent that is in high demand by local industries.