Professor Byungjin Cho of the School of Electrical Engineering at KAIST has been selected as the recipient of the “KAIST Proud Alumnus Award” in the Social Contribution category, presented by the KAIST Alumni Association.
The “KAIST Proud Alumnus Award” is presented to alumni who have made outstanding contributions to national and societal development through distinguished achievements in academia, industry, public service, and society at large, thereby enhancing the reputation of KAIST. In order to more broadly recognize the diverse contributions of its alumni, the KAIST Alumni Association expanded and reorganized the award categories this year into six fields: Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Industrial Contribution, Academic Research, Public Innovation, Social Contribution, and Young Alumnus.
Professor Cho was selected as the award recipient in the Social Contribution category in recognition of his long-term dedication to supporting international students and his sustained efforts in building an inclusive campus community, contributing to the internationalization of KAIST and the promotion of a welcoming and inclusive campus culture.
In 2010, Professor Cho co-founded KIC (KAIST International Chapel), an on-campus community for international students, together with foreign students. Since then, he has served as a faculty advisor, holding weekly gatherings without interruption for the past 15 years. KIC supports international students in adapting not only to their academic and research activities but also to campus life and life in Korean society, and Professor Cho has played a central role in leading the community since its establishment.
Professor Cho has focused on addressing issues commonly faced by international students, such as a lack of belonging and cultural or emotional isolation, while providing continuous counseling and support for various challenges encountered in campus life. He has taken on a family-like role for students suffering from homesickness and has provided practical assistance through fundraising and other means to students facing illness, major surgery, or financial hardship. In addition, he has worked closely with students to seek solutions to issues related to conflicts with academic advisors, difficulties adapting to laboratory environments, and post-graduation career planning.
Through these efforts, more than 300 international students have benefited from KIC and Professor Cho’s support. His contributions have been widely recognized as playing a significant role in helping international students successfully settle into life at KAIST and in fostering a strong sense of community. In recognition of these contributions, Professor Cho previously received the Excellence Award in the Social Service category at the KAIST Anniversary Ceremony in 2023.
KAIST President Kwang-Hyung Lee stated, “This year’s award recipients are exemplary KAIST members who have contributed to national and societal development through outstanding achievements,” adding, “The challenges and accomplishments of these distinguished alumni will inspire future generations and help spread KAIST’s values of innovation.”
Yoon-Tae Lee, the 27th President of the KAIST Alumni Association, remarked, “The six award recipients are leading figures who have embodied the values of KAIST across academia, industry, public service, and society,” and added, “The Alumni Association will continue to serve as a bridge to expand the impact of our alumni’s achievements throughout society.”
Meanwhile, the 2026 KAIST Proud Alumnus Award Ceremony was held on January 16, 2026, at the L Tower in Seoul, as part of the KAIST New Year’s Gathering.
