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Provost for External Affairs Jong-Bok Kim and staff of the Office of Development and External Affairs visited Vietnam to meet Kyung Hee alums

Members of Kyung Hee community in Vietnam recently gathered in Ho Chi Minh City. At the end of February 2025, Provost for External Affairs Jong-Bok Kim, along with staff from the Office of Development and External Affairs, visited Vietnam to meet and reconnect with our alumni. On February 26, the delegation hosted an alumni association meeting for Korean graduates residing in Vietnam, followed by a separate gathering on February 27 for Vietnamese alumni who had studied at Kyung Hee in Korea. This visit marked the first step in revitalizing the overseas alumni network, which had remained largely dormant since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sharing Kyung Hee’s vision with alumni in Vietnam
At the alumni association meeting on February 26, 18 Kyung Hee alumni currently active in the Ho Chi Minh City warmly welcomed the delegation. As part of the gathering, they screened Review 2024, a video outlining the University’s current development status, and shared insights into its future developmental direction. In his welcoming speech, Provost Kim reaffirmed Kyung Hee’s commitment to reconnecting with its global alumni network, which had weakened during the pandemic. “We will rebuild the overseas alumni network that has been disrupted since COVID-19,” he stated. He also announced plans to extend these efforts beyond Vietname, adding, “Starting with this visit, we will create opportunities to meet alumni in Japan, the United States, and other countries.”

Alum Woo-Seok Song (English Language and Literature, ’92), President of the Kyung Hee Alumni Association in Vietnam, said, “When we first established the Kyung Hee Alumni Association in Vietnam, it took a while for everyone to feel at ease with one another. But now, we all feel like a big family. We will continue to support active exchanges among our global alumni.” During the event, attendees reminisced about their university days and pledged to foster collaboration and strengthening the alumni community.



Global alumni who are active in universities, corporations, and other areas build cooperative relationships that extend beyond personal connections
On the following day, February 27, a special event was held for Vietnamese global alumni who had studied abroad in Korea. This gathering served as an expression of gratitude to those who have brought distinction to Kyung Hee through their outstanding achievements in their home country. A total of 26 alumni, primarily based in the Ho Chi Minh City area, attended the event. Among them were graduates with bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in diverse fields of study such as Korean language & literature, media, business, chemical engineering, biotechnology, and computer engineering. Many have established themselves in Vietnam as university professors, employees of major corporations, and researchers at leading IT firms.

Provost Kim emphasized the enduring tradition of the “Kyung Hee Family,” urging global alumni to stay connected beyond graduation. He said, “As you enter society after graduation, I hope you will uphold the spirit of the Kyung Hee Family and work together for the growth of both the University and the global alumni network.” He further reassured attendees that the University remains committed to supporting its global alumni, stating, “We will continue to explore way to meet the needs of our alumni abroad,” while encouraging their ongoing interest and engagement with their alma mater.

The Vietnamese alumni who had studied abroad at Kyung Hee also welcomed the visit of their alma mater. Alum Minh Xuan Nguyen (Master’s in Plant Molecular Systems Biotechnology), Vice President of the Kyung Hee Alumni Association in Vietnam, said, “It means a great deal that representatives of my alma mater travelled to Vietnam to meet us. I hope we can continue to support the University’s development through ongoing exchanges and collaboration.”

This visit to Vietnam was part of the University’s commitment to fostering a strong global alumni network. Provost Kim emphasized, “Today’s alumni association serves a purpose beyond personal friendships and camaraderie. It represents an important opportunity to expand Kyung Hee’s global reach through its alumni abroad.” The Office of External Affairs plans to implement various initiatives to strengthen ties with global alumni associations and enhance the solidarity of Kyung Hee graduates worldwide.