KAIST

<2026 Undergraduate Matriculation Ceremony>

KAIST announced that it will hold the 2026 Undergraduate Matriculation Ceremony today, February 25, at 10:00 AM in the Auditorium of the Main Campus in Daejeon. The event marks the first step for freshmen who will lead the future of South Korea’s science and technology.

In his welcoming remarks, President Kwang Hyung Lee plans to emphasize that “KAIST is a university built upon a spirit of inquiry that never stops questioning and a drive for challenge that does not fear failure.” He will encourage the students, stating, “I hope you challenge yourselves to your heart's content, and even if you fall, stand back up to blaze new trails that the world has never seen before.”

President Lee will also highlight that the role of talent in science and technology is more critical than ever in this era of massive transformation driven by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital transition. He plans to urge students to grow into responsible scientists and engineers who contribute to humanity and society through cooperation and communication, adding, “KAIST will spare no effort in supporting you to ensure your challenges become a reality.”

Marking the 40th class of incoming freshmen, this year’s ceremony will be attended by approximately 1,500 people, including students, parents, and distinguished guests, to celebrate this new beginning.

The speech by Junseop Shin, the student representative taking the podium, begins with the theme of a “promise.” He plans to share how the words “See you at KAIST,” spoken to him by President Kwang Hyung Lee at a defense industry forum three years ago, turned a vague dream into a definitive goal.

<Student Representative Junseop Shin delivering his speech>

Having contemplated his role in an era where science and technology dictate national competitiveness, Shin chose the challenging path of researching “small drone detection technology” instead of a more stable route. Despite numerous failures, frustrations, and discouragement from those around him, he persevered by remembering that promise, eventually achieving a technical breakthrough that garnered attention from international academic societies.

“I learned that keeping a promise isn't about never falling, but about getting back up every time you do,” Shin plans to say, vowing that his new beginning at KAIST will be a journey of fearless challenge.

The ceremony will also introduce the KAIST AI Future Challenge, themed “New and Innovative Ideas for the Future AI Era.” Any KAIST student can participate individually or as a team to tackle future societal issues with creative and feasible ideas. The winning teams will be honored at the “Education Innovation Day” ceremony in May.

<Students taking the matriculation oath>

Following the matriculation ceremony, an orientation will be held to assist students with their first steps into university life. This will include introductions to freshman programs, as well as essential training on community guidelines, mental health services, violence prevention, and safety education to support the students' stable transition into their studies and research.

Furthermore, the three-day “Freshman Start-up (Saenaegi Saerobaumteo)” will feature a diverse range of programs, including club performances, fairs, campus tours, and a welcoming broadcast festival. Freshmen will have the opportunity to experience KAIST culture firsthand and socialize with seniors and peers to shape their vision for university life.