KAIST

KAIST announced on July 10^th that it held a groundbreaking ceremony on July 9^th for the expansion of its Creative Learning Building. This project, which celebrates the university's 50th anniversary, will become a significant donation-funded landmark and marks the official start of its construction.

<(From left) President Kwang Hyung Lee, Former President Sung-Chul Shin>

The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by key donors who graced the occasion, including KAIST President Kwang Hyung Lee, former President Sung-Chul Shin, Alumni Association President Yoon-Tae Lee, as well as parents and faculty member.

The Creative Learning Building serves as a primary space where KAIST undergraduate and graduate students attend lectures, functioning as a central hub for a variety of classes and talks. It also houses student support departments, including the Student Affairs Office, establishing itself as a student-centric complex that integrates educational, counseling, and welfare functions.

This expansion is more than just an increase in educational facilities; it's being developed as a "donation landmark" embodying KAIST's identity and future vision. Designed with a focus on creative convergence education, this project aims to create a new educational hub that organically combines education, exchange, and welfare functions

The campaign included over 230 participants, including KAIST alumni Byung-gyu Chang, Chairman of Krafton, former Alumni Association President Ki-chul Cha, Dr. Kun-mo Chung (former Minister of Science and Technology), as well as faculty members, parents, and current students. They collectively raised 6.5 billion KRW in donations. The total cost for this expansion project is 9 billion KRW, encompassing a gross floor area of 3,222.92㎡ across five above-ground floors, with completion targeted for September 2026.

<Internal and external representatives attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the Creative Learning Building>

The interior of the building will feature

• 1st Floor: An alumni enterprise exhibition space and mentoring consultation rooms
• 2nd Floor: Flagship lecture rooms and a creative convergence platform
• 3rd Floor: Hybrid classrooms and an edu-lounge
• 4th Floor: Student welfare spaces
• 5th Floor: Alumni association lounge and offices

This commemorative building campaign was initiated to honor KAIST's 50-year mission of "nurturing core scientific and technological talent for the nation." While originally conceived for KAIST's 50th anniversary in 2021, the construction of the memorial hall was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic before gaining new momentum with a shift to a horizontal expansion method utilizing the existing Creative Learning Building.

Chairman Byung-gyu Chang, who actively participated alongside former President Sung-chul Shin in leading this campaign, shared his thoughts: "I believed my donation could serve as a catalyst, enabling KAIST alumni to unite their efforts, and that would be profoundly meaningful. It is incredibly significant that this memorial hall is being built as a result of that collective endeavor."

Alumni Association President Yoon-Tae Lee expressed his hope: "I wish for this memorial hall, created by the wisdom and dedication of KAIST alumni, to become a space where the next generations can cultivate their dreams."

<Internal and external representatives are breaking ground at the groundbreaking ceremony>

President Kwang Hyung Lee stated, "As the saying goes, 'If you go alone, you go fast; but if you go together, you go far.' Likewise, the collective strength of all our KAIST family members has brought about the birth of this symbolic memorial hall, which will serve as a donation landmark." He added, "KAIST will continue to maintain its status as the world's best science and technology university based on the united power of its members, driving innovation and creating a new culture for the future."