GS Caltex and KAIST partner for multicultural talent development
GS Caltex has pledged to donate 100 million KRW annually to KAIST over the next four years, totaling 400 million KRW, to support multicultural talent and foster a culture of sharing. This partnership was officially established on December 19th with the goal of spreading social value and supporting multicultural students.
“KAIST aims to stand as a world-class university nurturing global talent that embraces diversity, pursuing research that no one has done before, and choosing to ask questions rather than simply finding the correct answers,” said Lee Kwang-hyung, President of KAIST.
GS Caltex recognizes South Korea’s progression towards a multicultural society and actively supports children and young people from various nations to adapt well and grow as exemplary individuals within the country. As part of fostering a culture of diversity and inclusion, GS Caltex has hired Malaysian government scholarship students as engineers at their Yeosu plant and continues to show broad interest and provide support to people from multicultural backgrounds.
KAIST, since last year, has actively sought multicultural students through a special admissions pathway and, through this agreement, plans to integrate these students into the “Hanmaeum Education Volunteer Group” to design and implement a multicultural talent development program.
Heo Sae-hong, President of GS Caltex, expressed that it is a pleasure to share warmth with marginalized and vulnerable neighbors as a part of their corporate social responsibility. Special focus is placed on ensuring that children and youth from multicultural families do not lose their dreams and can grow well to become integral members of society.
This initiative aligns with the ambitions set by President Lee Kwang-hyung during his inauguration in 2021, where he aspired to raise substantial donation funds daily. As of December 2024, KAIST has secured 2,599 billion KRW in development funds, achieving an average daily collection of 190 million KRW.
Philanthropists unrelated to KAIST, including the late Jang Sung-hwan, former Chairman of Samsung Brush, and Jung Chang-sun, Chairman of Joongheung Group, have supported these endeavors, believing KAIST’s success leads to South Korea’s development. The alumni have also actively participated in relay donations, with about 200 alumni raising 11.6 billion KRW for a building expansion campaign.
Furthermore, President Lee has launched new projects in collaboration with various local governments to foster regional industries such as bio, semiconductors, AI, and mobility across South Korea, securing vital future growth foundations, including land and building assets valued at approximately 14 trillion KRW.
President Lee concluded by emphasizing, “Contributions follow naturally when individuals resonate with KAIST’s vision of educational and research innovation at new levels. We are dedicated to meeting the expectations of donors who wish to see the scientific and technological growth of our nation, powered by the confidence placed in KAIST’s achievements.”