KAIST

< President Kwang-Hyung Lee pictured with NYU exchange students >

KAIST announced on December 15th that it has delivered a congratulatory message to the successful applicants of the 2026 undergraduate early admissions, sharing the university’s unique educational philosophy of encouraging challenge and failure, as well as its vision for cultivating global talent.

For the 2026 undergraduate admissions, KAIST selected future scientific leaders based on its core values and talent ideals: Creativity, Challenge, and Caring. KAIST plans to strengthen education focused on nurturing convergent talent who can cross disciplinary boundaries. The recent upward trend in applications to KAIST reflects the growing importance of scientific talent who will lead national competitiveness amidst intense global competition in AI, semiconductors, space, and biotechnology.

In his congratulatory message, President Kwang Hyung Lee emphasized, “KAIST is a place where you can play and study to your heart's content with friends, start your own business, and even experience failure. KAIST is a ‘playground for eccentrics’ where you can try anything.”

He specifically introduced a challenge-oriented academic culture, stating, “Do not fear failure. If you organize and share your experiences of failure well, you might even receive a ‘Failure Award.’”

President Lee further stressed, “KAIST is the perfect school for students who want to blaze new trails through creativity and inquiry, and for those who wish to change the world. If your goal is simply to get an ‘A’ in every subject or to secure a stable job, you do not need to come here. However, if you are a student who prefers defining your own problems over doing what others tell you and wants to challenge yourself beyond established frameworks, you must come to KAIST.”

He also highlighted the free, student-led environment by stating, “For a KAISTian, the only limit to challenge is imagination,” adding, “During my tenure as President, I have never once rejected an idea proposed by students.”

Regarding the global educational environment, President Lee explained, “KAIST is no longer just a domestic university; it is a platform where you can study, research, and be active on the world stage. We actively support students’ global experiences through the joint campus operation with New York University (NYU), the establishment of a Silicon Valley campus, and exchange programs with over 100 overseas universities.”

Meanwhile, to lead the AI era, KAIST recently established the nation’s first AI College and is building a full-scale education and research system covering all fields of artificial intelligence. The AI College plans to systematically foster next-generation AI leaders through a curriculum linked from undergraduate to graduate levels.

In addition, KAIST is strengthening education in humanities, culture, and the arts alongside science and technology. The university operates seven humanities and social science minor programs—Digital Humanities & Social Sciences, Economics, Culture Technology, Intellectual Property, Science & Technology Policy, Entrepreneurship, and Future Strategy. It also expands students' imagination and creativity through on-campus art museums, numerous galleries, and regular performances and cultural events.

Furthermore, KAIST encourages challenge and balanced growth through the “Mountaineering Scholarship,” which provides up to 700,000 KRW annually to students who complete designated hiking courses, regardless of grades or income level.

President Lee concluded his message of support by saying, “My heart is already racing at the thought of pioneering the 21st-century future with all of you. I look forward to seeing you grow into ‘stars,’ each with your own unique color, and shine on the global stage.”

< President Kwang Hyung Lee performing with the student lab club 'Gootos' at Innovate Korea 2024 >