The Seoul Metropolitan Government has initiated an ambitious program to attract top international talent in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. (Image courtesy of Seoul City)
SEOUL, Oct. 8 (Korea Bizwire) – In a first for the country, the Seoul Metropolitan Government has initiated an ambitious program to attract top international talent in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. The Seoul Tech Scholarship aims to bolster the city’s future workforce in key industries.
On October 7, a ceremony was held on the eighth floor of Seoul City Hall to present the scholarships to the inaugural group of recipients.
The Seoul Tech Scholarship targets bachelor’s degree holders or soon-to-be graduates in STEM fields from developing countries, offering them fully funded master’s degree programs at prestigious universities in the South Korean capital.
Prior to the launch, the city government had secured partnerships with the Seoul Scholarship Foundation, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Science and Higher Education, and participating universities. Following two rounds of rigorous evaluations conducted in collaboration with relevant institutions, nine international students were selected for the scholarship.
Four universities — Kyung Hee University, the University of Seoul, Sungkyunkwan University, and Hanyang University — are participating in the program, co-funding tuition fees with the city government.
Each scholarship recipient will receive approximately 20 million won over the two-year master’s program. This comprehensive package covers tuition fees, living expenses, and health insurance premiums.
Beyond financial support, the program offers additional resources to help students acclimate to life in Seoul. These include Korean language classes, legal counseling services, and alumni networking opportunities, all designed to facilitate a smooth transition and settlement in the city.
Lee Hae-sun, Seoul’s Global Urban Policy Officer, expressed high hopes for the initiative. “We expect the Seoul Tech Scholarship to empower these students to pursue their dreams with confidence,” Lee said.
“Through attracting international STEM talent, we aim to enhance our city’s competitiveness on the global stage.”
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
