"We Got Paid to Attend University" - The Jackpot Story of 6 Dongmyeong University Graduates Who Were Scholarship and Prize 'Hunters'

Prize money exceeding 54 million won from over 130 wins

Nearly 2.5 times the total tuition fees of 8 semesters

The nation's only degree jointly named by the university president and the Chamber of Commerce president

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Kim Yong-woo] “University? We actually got paid to attend.”

If the amount of money a student receives in scholarships and awards during eight semesters is comparable to their tuition fees, that student can be said to have ‘gotten paid’ to attend university while also earning a valuable degree.

This year, six ‘free’ students who graduated from Dongmyung University have caught attention. In fact, one student reportedly received scholarships and various competition prizes totaling 2.5 times the total tuition fees, hitting the jackpot in university life without winning the lottery.

The six ‘Thumbs Up’ graduates of Dongmyung University in Busan (President Jeong Hong-seop) received very meaningful diplomas on February 17, marking the completion of their four years of university life.

The protagonists are Woo Seong-won, Lim Young-eun, and Yoon Yong-byeong from the Department of Port Logistics Systems; Kim Jae-woon from the Department of Management Information Systems; Yoon Su-ji from the Department of Tourism Management; and Jeong Yong-woon from the Department of International Trade.

They received a special diploma that other graduates did not. During their eight semesters, they achieved the highest comprehensive evaluation (MCD+ certification) across all areas?non-curricular (M), major (C), and character and liberal arts (D)?and received a diploma jointly issued by the president of Dongmyung University and the chairman of the Busan Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

This diploma is not only a university degree but also an endorsement from Busan’s business community. It is a unique diploma jointly evaluated and certified by both academia and industry, recognizing them as well-rounded talents excelling in non-curricular activities, major studies, and character and liberal arts.

Among universities in the Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam regions with over 5,000 enrolled students, Dongmyung University is the only one with such an industry-academia joint degree system. The university also ranked first in ‘scholarship amount per student’ records.

In particular, Kim Jae-woon received a total of approximately 54.36 million KRW in scholarships and awards during his university years. This amount is 2.46 times the total tuition fees he was supposed to pay, which was about 22.54 million KRW.

Kim received scholarships 44 times totaling 37,736,900 KRW and awards 92 times totaling 16,629,900 KRW throughout his university life.

The non-curricular programs Kim won include awards in the Motivation Semester UCC Contest, TU Tutoring & 040 Gold Prize, CTL Supporters Excellence Award, Tutoring 040 Team Activity Support Award, Anabada Grand Prize, BUP & CUP Grand Prize, Design Thinking Award, Learning Method Research Program Award, K-CESA Award, CUP Excellence Award, STEPUP Bronze Award, and CTL Supporters Excellence Award, among nearly 100 confirmed recognitions, making it difficult to list them all.

Kim said, “My grades were low in the first year, but by passionately participating in various on-campus programs, I was able to have a lot of fun and achieve great growth,” adding, “I am very grateful to my alma mater for giving me such great fulfillment and a sense of accomplishment.”

The university diploma is unique. The Busan Chamber of Commerce and Industry jointly awarded the university diploma.

Woo Seong-won is a talent who recorded a major GPA of 4.4, obtained six major-related certifications, and scored 940 on the TOEIC.

He said, “There were numerous very beneficial programs on campus,” and added, “I was so captivated by them that I had no reason to work part-time, struggling and losing sleep outside of school.”

True to his nickname as a ‘hunter’ of on-campus and off-campus awards, Woo’s total tuition was 31,070,000 KRW, while his total scholarships and awards amounted to 35,964,400 KRW. He also earned more than his tuition fees.

Jeon Tae-gyun, head of the Student Competency Management Center, said, “There are about 160 different non-curricular programs established since the 2020 academic year, and in one year, a total of 49,114 students participated, averaging more than six participations per student.”

Shin Dong-seok, Vice President of Strategic Planning at Dongmyung University, said, “Dongmyung University, which recorded the highest employment rate (71.8%) among medium-to-large general universities (with over 1,000 graduates) in the Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam regions, has maintained a top 10 nationwide ranking in the proportion of students participating in field training over the past five years,” adding, “In most departments, industry-academia cooperation professors with over 10 years of corporate field experience provide close and in-depth counseling on students’ career paths.”

President Jeong Hong-seop expressed hope, saying, “Even amid COVID-19, I hope more students will benefit from the active on-campus programs, including self-development scholarships and awards.”

President Jeong proudly stated, “The scholarship amount per student at Dongmyung University is 3,801,716 KRW (2020 information disclosure), ranking first among all universities in the Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam regions with over 5,000 students.”

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