Ajou holds “Argentina BEC.AR” completion ceremony

The Graduate School of International Studies at Ajou University held, on Nov. 1, the “Argentina BEC.AR” completion ceremony in the Conference Room in Yulgok Hall. BEC.AR is a program that was founded by the Argentine Government in which talented, qualified individuals receive full funding from the Government to study abroad. Twenty-nine individuals from academia, companies, and research institutes in Argentina have been studying at Ajou University since August.

The program, sponsored by the Prime Minister’s Office of Argentina, was initiated with the purpose of developing science technology experts. Specifically, the Government of Argentina selected 268 science and technology experts from governmental agencies, companies, and academia and dispatched them to Korea, the United States, France, Italy, and Brazil to advance their skills. The full tuition fees for the 29 students studying at Ajou University were borne by the Government of Argentina.

Notably, Ajou University was the only educational institution in Korea to be selected for participation in the project. Prior to the students entering Ajou University, a tripartite agreement was signed between Ajou, the Korea Foundation for the Promotion of Private School, and the Prime Minister’s Office of Argentina, stipulating program operation for the next three years.

Participants in the BEC.AR program have the opportunity to take innovation management in business and industry courses; IT, BT and NT courses; and Korean language courses. Students also participated in various field trips throughout the study period, including company visits, and attend special lectures geared to their areas of study. This program is a shortened version of the one-year research curriculum of the graduate school, reduced in duration to 3 months. Each trainee attended a total of 432 hours (27 credits) of classes. The curriculum was developed and headed by Dean of the Graduate School of International Studies Jae-ik Lim and professors from the colleges of engineering, information communications, and business management.

One trainee, Hernan Gabriel Curras, aged 29, an IT engineer, shared his impressions of the experience by saying, “The quality and passion of the faculty were very impressive, and in particular, I was delighted to meet in person the corporate CEOs and government officers who led the ‘Miracle of Han River’ during the special lecture series.”

He added, “By utilizing the things I have seen, heard, and just generally experienced at Ajou University, I hope I can grow as an IT engineer and a businessman in my home country.”