Hyundai Motor Chung Mong-koo Foundation Selects 98 Scholars for Future Industry and Cultural Arts

Chung Mong-koo, Chairman of Hyundai Motor Group (Photo by Hyundai Motor Chung Mong-koo Foundation)

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] The Hyundai Motor Chung Mong-koo Foundation announced on the 8th that a total of 98 new scholars were selected this year, including 55 'OnDream Future Industry Talent Scholars' and 43 'OnDream Culture and Arts Talent Scholars.' The selected scholars will begin receiving the foundation's financial support and growth program assistance in earnest from the second half of this year.

The OnDream Future Industry Talent Scholarship program is designed for graduate and undergraduate students aspiring to research or work in future innovative industries such as intelligent information technology, bio-health, and new energy industries. This year, after a four-stage screening process including document review, aptitude test, major interview, and personality interview, 30 graduate students and 25 undergraduates were selected.

The OnDream Culture and Arts Talent Scholarship program supports the next generation of artists leading Korea's cultural and artistic fields, including classical music, gugak (traditional Korean music), and dance. After document screening, performance video review, and on-site practical audition, 21 undergraduates and 22 middle and high school students were selected.

The foundation set the eligibility criteria for scholarship recipients to be below the 7th income quintile to ensure that students in greater need have the opportunity to receive support.

Lee Young-moo, Chair Professor of Energy Engineering at Hanyang University, who participated in the screening, said, "I also participated in the screening last year, but this year there were especially many outstanding students," and added, "I hope they grow into convergent talents who contribute to society by networking through the foundation's various supports."

Throughout the entire selection process, thorough temperature checks and sufficient disinfection measures were implemented to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Remote video interviews were also arranged for symptomatic candidates.

Twelve scholars selected in the culture and arts field, including Jung Ji-won (Korea National University of Arts) and Kang Seo-yeon (Korea National University of Arts), were first chosen as OnDream scholars by the foundation during middle school and have continued to receive support through high school and university. The foundation explained that this is the result of high-level scholarship support combined with special programs for scholar exchange and growth, such as major-specific mentoring programs, support for participation in international academic conferences and competitions, and invitations to camps, seminars, and cultural events.

Kwon Oh-gyu, Chairman of the Hyundai Motor Chung Mong-koo Foundation, said, "By providing full scholarship support to maximize scholars' pride and academic motivation, scholars want to continue being part of the foundation and work harder, creating a virtuous cycle of becoming scholars again," and added, "From the seed stage to becoming a large tree, nurturing talent from a long-term perspective and having those talents contribute to the nation and society brings great fulfillment to our foundation."

Meanwhile, since 2011, the foundation has supported a total of 4,998 scholars with funding amounting to 21.9 billion KRW.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.