Dear POSTECH community,

The endless, hot days of summer are finally behind us as the onset of cool breeze hints at the arrival of fall.

The past year has been a major turning point in POSTECH’s history. Most notably, POSTECH’s selection in the Glocal University 30 Project and the bold, matching investment decision from the POSTECH Foundation helped jumpstart POSTECH 2.0, our comprehensive rebuilding project. We have declared 2024 the year of POSTECH’s second founding as we launch a focused, collective effort to restore and surpass the prominence of POSTECH at its inception 38 years ago.

To stand with the world’s greatest institutions and to rival their education and research excellence, we must set our direction and secure talent to take action. Becoming world-class requires research prowess and high rankings, but there is more to it.

While it is important to enhance and build upon what others have made, what is more important is to create original knowledge and fundamental technologies. Korean institutions and enterprises have always excelled at going from one to 100 or from one to 1,000. Of course, this is something we should be rightly proud of, and a quality that has contributed to our country’s incredible success.

But now, as our nation takes lead in nearly all fields, what we really need is the ability to go from zero to one, from nothing to something. In fact, Zero to One by Peter Thiel is the book I gifted to students whom I invited to my residence last fall. What POSTECH 2.0 must achieve is not just restoring the grandeur of its past glories, but to go beyond it and lead Korea into its next stage – propelling a profound leap forward under the banner of Zero to One.

Getting to greater heights starts with gathering of talent from students, teachers, to staff. Here are our strategies: For undergraduate students, an in-depth interview admissions system and interdisciplinary tracks to freely study across disciplines. Through the Pathfinder program, opportunities for international experiences, study abroad, short-term studies, and entrepreneurship programs to help with self-guided career exploration. For graduate students, highest stipend in Korea and tailored international experiences and dual-degree programs with universities abroad to build research capacity. For faculty, a generous relocation grant and performance pay, a choice to extend their retirement early, and mini-sabbaticals. For our administrators, stronger reward systems and training opportunities at home and abroad. We will also build new educational, research, and residential facilities with vision for the next 50 years to create a top-notch university town of the future.

The importance of globalization should also be noted. As we have already announced, we will admit international undergraduate students from next fall and global exchanges at the graduate level will be promoted. As an institution known for Korea’s first bilingual campus, we will have to forge a truly international academic community to live up to our reputation. At the same time, we will commit to achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set forth by the United Nations through the Green Campus Project beginning this year.

POSTECH is an institution of the scientists, by the scientists, for the scientists. The spirit of science is to constantly challenge boundaries to push the edge of knowledge. We may face setbacks when we pioneer roads less traveled and resist following trends. But they are not failures in themselves. I hope that POSTECH will overflow with the spirit that dares to take chances and, in doing so, become the most innovative university in the world.

POSTECH will celebrate its 40th anniversary in the fourth year of my term in office. At forty, Confucius had felt free from doubts. Likewise, as POSTECH nears its 40th year, let us continue to sail towards the world stage – unwavering – free from self-doubt or concerns with quick successes or appearances as shared in my inaugural address last year.

I am grateful for your dedication and hard work for POSTECH’s growth over the past year, and I wish you a wonderful and prosperous year ahead. Thank you.

September 2, 2024
Seong Keun Kim