Keimyung University President Shin Ilhee Receives Cooperation Merit Medal from Kyrgyzstan Ministry of Education

Award Ceremony Held Online
Scholarship Presentation and Cooperation Center Opening Also Take Place

Shin Il-hee, President of Keimyung University, received the Cooperation Merit Medal from the Ministry of Education of Kyrgyzstan at the 100th anniversary ceremony of Kyrgyz National University held on October 27.

The award ceremony was held online at 12:00 p.m. Korea Standard Time (9:00 a.m. local time).

Shin Il-hee, President of Keimyung University, is delivering a thank-you speech after receiving the Cooperation Merit Medal from the Ministry of Education of Kyrgyzstan at the 100th anniversary ceremony of Kyrgyz National University. Provided by Keimyung University

This award recognizes his contributions to promoting educational and academic exchanges between the two countries. It is considered particularly exceptional and meaningful, as it was conferred even after President Sadyr Japarov signed a decree in August postponing the granting of national honors.

President Shin Il-hee stated, "I sincerely congratulate Kyrgyz National University on its 100th anniversary," and added, "The Cooperation Merit Medal I received today is not only an honor for Keimyung University, but also a symbol of Kyrgyzstan's trust and friendship toward the internationalization of higher education in Korea."

He continued, "This achievement was made possible by all members of Keimyung University, and we will continue to pursue practical cooperation with Kyrgyz National University in various fields such as education, research, and culture."

He also emphasized, "Keimyung University will do its utmost to become a model for global educational cooperation, so that the younger generations of both countries can grow together and thrive on the global stage."

The ceremony was attended locally by a six-member Keimyung University delegation, including Vice President for International Affairs Kim Sunjung. The event also featured a scholarship award ceremony for Kyrgyz students and the opening of the Keimyung-Kyrgyz Digital Center.

A total of 27,000 dollars was awarded, including the Haengso-Chontoyev Scholarship (10,000 dollars, 500 dollars per recipient), a special 100th anniversary scholarship (10,000 dollars, 100 dollars per recipient), and 7,000 dollars in research support funds for faculty at the College of Computer Technology and Artificial Intelligence.

The Keimyung-Kyrgyz Digital Center was established to provide local youth with basic education in artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technology, and will serve as a hub for joint research and educational program operations in the future.

Exchange between Keimyung University and Kyrgyz National University began in earnest in 2013 with the signing of an academic exchange agreement.

Since then, the two institutions have continued various collaborative projects, including student and faculty exchanges, Haengso Scholarship support, the provision of COVID-19 prevention supplies and equipment, and the implementation of global education support programs.

Since 2024, the universities have jointly participated in the University Capacity Building Project for International Cooperation, expanding their collaboration in digital education and higher education innovation.

Additionally, since 2013, Keimyung University has conducted a total of six educational volunteer programs in Kyrgyzstan, while Dongsan Medical Center has provided free surgeries for children with heart disease and cleft lip, as well as training programs for local medical staff through the "KMU-DSMC Sharing Medical Project."

President Shin Il-hee, who was awarded an honorary doctorate by Kyrgyz National University in 2022, has once again demonstrated his role as a bridge for educational cooperation between the two countries by receiving the Cooperation Merit Medal.

The event was attended by Kyrgyz National University President Chontoyev Dogdurbek and Minister of Education Dokdurkul Kendirbayeva. President Shin delivered his congratulatory message in real time from the Haengso Hall, Meeting Room 2, at Keimyung University's Seongseo Campus via video link.

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