For KAIST, it is imperative to recognize the effort and dedication that its students make during the academic semester. As an inclusive institution, KAIST College of Business rewards international and Korean students with two important ways, the Highest Honor and the High Honor Academic Excellence Awards. The event was held on March 7th, 2017 and was characterized by poignant speeches, photo sessions, and a delightful lunch.

Among our international students, KCB had the pleasure of sharing their reflections in receiving these awards:

Chhay Piseth (FMBA 2016)
Awarded with: Highest Honor Academic Excellence Award

"KAIST is famous for its challenging environment in which students are not competing with each other but rather competing with themselves in developing their knowledge and skills in Finance. To me, the courses offered in FMBA are highly advanced and relevantly useful in preparing me for my professional career in finance. I realized that I would not have been able to learn that much if there was not a challenging environment such as the one offered at KAIST, and that is what makes KAIST special and unique.  
I believe the award I received proves very little about my ability, if anything at all. It rather reflects the effort I have spent in satisfying my curiosity during the course, and my willingness to accept, keep up with, and learn within the challenging environment of KAIST. I want to thank KAIST and KOICA for offering me the precious opportunity to study here and be part of KAIST family. Also, thanks to the professors who are kindly helpful in guiding and assimilating knowledge and experience. I AM PROUD TO BE A MEMBER OF KAIST.” 

Juan José Robalino (FMBA 2016)
Awarded with: High Honor Academic Excellence Award

“It is important to understand that this award is not given just to the student, it also represents the effort of professors, the academic staff, our classmates, and of course, our self-effort. The combination of these elements, the challenging environment, and their correlation with the pursuit of excellence motivates students for new goals, new projects, higher career expectations, and most important, being a better person. Receiving the award motivates me to go further. Competing in an academic environment with different language and learning system can be perceived as a disadvantage for foreign students; however, it is important to recognize KAIST’s efforts to provide an equitable environment that offers the same opportunities to all its students. This, from my perspective, was the core factor that allowed me achieve academic excellence while enjoying a competitive and friendly environment at the same time.
Finally, I would like to express my sincere thanks to my professors, colleagues, my family and friends, for allowing me to enjoy this great opportunity called KAIST.”

KGSF is pleased to have international students of excellence.