50 Polish PhD and Master’s students will have the opportunity to continue their education at the renowned KAIST institution in South Korea for a period of six years, until 2030, thanks to the financial generosity of Hyundai Rotem. This initiative is an extension of the personnel exchange between Poland and Korea, focused on cooperation in the field of the defence industry.
Hyundai Rotem Company announced on July 5 that it has signed a ‘Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the Development of International Defense Cooperation’ with the Defence Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Hanwha Aerospace, and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) on June 30.
As a result of an agreement signed on 30 June, Hyundai Rotem has established cooperation with the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Hanwha Aerospace and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI). The aim of this agreement is to expand academic-industrial cooperation between the two countries and to enhance the exchange of defence professionals as cooperation between Poland and Korea grows.
A key aspect of this agreement is KAIST’s commitment to support 50 Polish PhD and Master’s students to become defence technology experts between 2024 and 2030. In response to Poland’s growing demand for developing scientific and technological talent in the defence field, DAPA, the Armament Agency in Poland, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Poland and KAIST have decided to join forces to support talent development.
As part of this programme, the participating companies, including Hyundai Rotem, will donate a total of 6 billion Korean won (approximately 18.77 million zlotys) for scholarships and research support for Polish students who will pursue their doctoral or master’s degrees at KAIST.
The signing ceremony of the agreement to expand international defence cooperation was held at the KAIST Dogok campus in Seoul on 30 June. The event was presided over by Dong-hwan Eom, head of DAPA, Kwang-hyung Lee, president of KAIST, and CEOs of defence companies.
Hyundai’s representative Rotem emphasised that their aim was to build trust and relations between Poland and Korea, as well as to develop cooperation by supporting personnel exchange and social engagement.
It is also worth mentioning that Hyundai Rotem is actively involved in various social activities. In March this year, the company donated 4 modular housing units for officers of the 22nd Infantry Division in Korea, with the aim of improving the living conditions of soldiers. In addition, the company also supports Korean War veterans and deserving individuals by sponsoring various initiatives such as military scholarship foundations and support for soldiers.
The programme, which will enable Polish students to continue their studies at KAIST in South Korea, is an important step in building cooperation between Poland and Korea in the field of defence. It is not only an opportunity to gain unique knowledge and experience in defence technologies, but also a chance to expand cultural and scientific exchange between the two countries.