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Students' Choice for Best UniversityNo. 1, Increase of approximately 2fold in Early Admission Applicants over 3 years
KAIST was selected as the number one 'Best University' by students. According to a recent survey, people in their teens to 50s rated KAIST as the most outstanding university (INUE-Korea Economic Daily University Evaluation). This shows that KAIST's innovative research and creative educational environment are highly regarded by the younger generation. KAIST announced that a total of 6,991 people applied for the 2026 academic year's undergraduate domestic early admission process. This is an increase of 491 people (7.6%) compared to the previous year, with the competition rate rising from 7.98:1 last year to 8.47:1 this year, continuing an upward trend for the fourth consecutive year. Notably, the scale of applications has increased by about 1.9 times compared to the 2023 academic year, showing a significant growth trend. This result aligns with the change in perception revealed in the '2025 INUE-Korea Economic Daily University Evaluation.' In this survey, those in their teens to 50s evaluated KAIST as the top university, but those over 60 years old rated Seoul National University highest, confirming a generational difference in perception. The steady increase in applicants, despite the decrease in the school-age population and the phenomenon of avoiding science and engineering fields, proves that KAIST's educational innovation and global competitiveness are receiving high trust from students. The upward trend in graduate school applicants is also evident. The number has increased by an annual average of 9.5% over the past four years, and foreign applicants have surged by 193%, greatly expanding the interest of outstanding international talents. This shows that KAIST's world-class faculty and cutting-edge research infrastructure are internationally recognized for their competitiveness. The student retention rate has also improved. The number of undergraduate dropouts decreased from 126 in the 2022 academic year to 96 in the 2024 academic year, and voluntary withdrawals to pursue medical or dental fields decreased from 58 to 44 during the same period. This result reverses the expectation that the number of dropouts would increase due to the expansion of medical school quotas. This success is analyzed as the result of KAIST's selection process, which comprehensively evaluates various materials such as the student record, self-introduction letter, and teacher recommendation, rather than just focusing on grades, to reflect not only academic competency but also the 'KAIST DNA' and the motivation for admission. KAIST has also introduced student-centered education systems such as the 'Undecided Major System' and the 'PNR System (Pass or No Record System),' expanding the autonomy of career choice. Through institutional innovation, such as the establishment of the Creative Challenge track and the activation of the Science Gifted Selection System, the university is enabling more outstanding talents to challenge themselves at KAIST. Yong Hyun Kim, KAIST's Dean of Admissions, explained, "As a result of supporting creative talent development and broadening the autonomy of career choice through student-centered systems such as the Undecided Major System and the PNR System which innovates grade notation, the number of applicants continues to increase despite difficult conditions." Kwang Hyung Lee, President of KAIST, stated, "The steady increase in science and engineering talents choosing KAIST is proof that our university's educational and research competitiveness is internationally recognized. The fact that people in their teens to 50s chose KAIST as the 'Best University, No. 1' in a recent survey shows a change in generational values and proves that KAIST is a university that will lead future innovation." He added, "KAIST will continue to nurture the best science and engineering talents that the nation and society need."
2025.10.22 View 16883 -
Golfzon, makes donation of "Faculty Club" to KAIST for interactions
Golfzon donates "Faculty Club" for increased interaction and communication among professors.
The Opening Ceremony was held with about a hundred executives including President Nam-Pyo Seo and Young-Chan Kim of Chairman of Golfzon Corp in attendance.
The "Faculty Club" will increase the opportunity for communication amongst professors, thereby creating intellectuals values with interaction.
Expanding from the existing banquet hall, Faculty Club is a multi-purpose meeting space including; large scale banquet hall, meeting room, resting room and screen golf club.
Young-Chan Kim, president of Golfzon Corp. said "We are putting to practice our management philosophy, "Sharing and caring"." And commented that "we hope the faculty club to be a place where the members of KAIST actively communicate and exchange ideas.”
President Seo commented, "We really appreciate for the special love and care towards KAIST which would create the opportunity for communication and harmony.” And that “it will be a precious place for it will foster the creation of ideas.”
Meanwhile, Golfzon is the number one screen golf business went public on KOSDAQ, May 2011, it first move in KAIST Business Incubator in Novemeber 2000 and was grown as a star venture business through KAIST’s diverse supports and phased introduction to the market.
2012.03.06 View 14125 -
KAIST rated 1st consistently for four years running, according to the Korean universities ranking compiled by Joongang Daily
KAIST scored 293 points out of a possible 350 points in the 2011 Joongag Daily survey on the assessment of Korean universities and solidified its position as the nation’s best university by being ranked “number one” for four consecutive years.
POSTECH, Seoul National University, Yonsei University, Korea University, and SungKyunKwan University followed.
The Joongang Daily Korean Universities Assessment began in 1994, which covers all four-year universities. KAIST has been rated 1st in Korea a total of nine times, and it is KAIST’s second time being rated 1st four years in a row. KAIST was assessed especially highly in quality of education, finances, and professor research categories.
Joongang Daily assessed a total of 100 universities (compared to 93 of last year). The maximum number of points is 350 points comprising of quality of education (110 points), globalization (60 points), professor research (110 points), and public reputation/interaction with public (70 points).
2011.10.10 View 16650