Korean Ambassador hosts the Annual GKS Alumni Reunion Gala Dinner 

The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) alumni reunion was held on the 6th of December 2021 at the Jetwing Colombo Seven Hotel. The annual event was a wonderful occasion bringing all facets of the alumni community together including the future GKS participants in Sri Lanka. It was a delightful evening with the Alumni sharing their positive life experiences during their stay in Korea that has had a significant impact on their lives.

Addressing the gathering, Korean Ambassador to Sri Lanka, H.E. Santhush Woonjin JEONG stated that “I am very glad that the network of GKS alumni family is expanding over the years. The GKS programme offers many valuable opportunities for young people globally including in Sri Lanka to pursue higher education in Korea. As scholars who received this wonderful opportunity, I am sure you experienced the merits of studying in Korea. It is now your duty to provide useful information and advice to aspiring Sri Lankan students who wish to study in Korea. I hope more and more people are encouraged to pursue this scholarship as it will enhance the friendship between our two countries and promote educational cooperation.”

GKS is designed to provide students with opportunities to study at higher educational institutions in Korea at graduate-level degrees, which will enhance international education exchange and deepen mutual friendship between Korea and Sri Lanka. Through the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS), offered by Korea’s National Institute for International Education Development (NIIED), students worldwide including in Sri Lanka can study in Korea for free. Every year, more than 10 Sri Lankan students have received this scholarship from Korea to pursue undergraduate and graduate programmes in Korea.

GKS envoy Dr. Sachini Amarasekara shared valuable information on “language learning and postgraduate training experience in South Korea”. She praised the excellent set of teachers and in-depth knowledge she gained from her experience in Korea which contributed immensely to her career as a lecturer in the University of Colombo.

The Immediate Past President of the GKS Alumni Association in Sri Lanka, Dr. Aruna Ranaweera delivered a presentation on “GKS, Lessons Learnt from Korea & Beyond.” As a senior lecturer at the Department of Physics and Electronics in the University of Kelaniya, he said that GKS has had a great impact on his professional success. The valuable lessons learnt from his stay in Korea have helped him achieve the Award for the Innovator of the University and the Award for the recipient of the highest amount of Research Grant in Sri Lanka.

The President of GKS Alumni Association Tharanga Ranasinghe also presented insightful advice on his experiences as a Volunteer in Korea during GKS. The informative presentations reflected their love and appreciation to Korea and their enjoyable educational experience in Korea.

The guests enjoyed an excellent dinner alongside lively conversation reminiscing their amazing time in Korea.