Prestigious Korean university rocked by student suicides
South Korea’s top science and technology university is set to overhaul the way it is run, after a spate of suicides. Since January, four students and one professor from the Korea Advance Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) have taken their own lives. The university’s President has since caved in to mounting anger over the deaths and promised reform.
Becoming a KAIST student is a dream for many young Koreans. Set up in 1971, KAIST is one of the most prestigious universities in the country. Tuition fees amounting to about US$6,800 per semester and are all paid for by the government. But if a student’s grade point average falls below 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, it’s no longer free. And the lower the grade drops, the more the student has to pay. Once the grade falls below 2.0, the student has to pay the full tuition fees. This system – put in place by KAIST president Suh Nam Pyo in 2007- is now being blamed for the suicides of four students.
The first student committed suicide in January. The 19-year-old was known as a robot genius for his talent in assembling robots. He complained of extreme stress. The latest student – who was also 19 – jumped to his death on April 7. The university’s President Suh is now being pressured to resign. “Five people have died so far. I don’t think it’s ethically right for you to remain in that position,” said Chung Do Youn, a ruling party lawmaker.
This story is a sad one indeed. At least they don’t post it on “The Wall of Shame” in the main hallway for everyone to gawk at and gossip about like they did at my high school. I’ll never forget when this geek told me that it was an honor to meet me and shook my hand because he heard someone refer to me by my first name and my name was on the top of the list for the GPA Post, only problem was it was another girl with the same name. Upon learning this, he practically knocked me over to introduce himself to that girl with the same line. That “geek” happened to be the son of a New York Congressman. Like father, like son!
Money is another type of added pressure though. I can’t imagine dealing with shame and financial issues together! Ugh I applaud KAIST for getting rid of the problem. I would have loved the chance to get rid of that stupid Post and that “Geek” all in one shot!