This morning, we congratulate and celebrate our proud graduates on your accomplishments and send you off to make your mark on the world using the foundation and character that you have cultivated and developed at POSTECH. On behalf of the entire POSTECH community, I would like to extend my deep appreciation to all the families and guests for your guidance and support and for allowing your loved ones to be a part of the POSTECH family.
Thanks to the excellent guidance of our dedicated faculty and support from staff, upperclassmen, and peers, our BS graduates have grown into junior scientists and engineers who can take charge of their own learning, while for our graduate students with advanced degrees, you are also taking the first step as professionals and independent researchers towards becoming the next generation of experts in science and engineering.
My proud graduates! I would like to offer you a few words of wisdom as you embark on your next journey into the world. Watching you grow at POSTECH, devote yourself to learning, build your character, and finally stand here as full-fledged young talents, I have no doubt that you are ready to unfold your wings and fly. Yet, you may be feeling anxious and nervous about the uncertainties that lie ahead.
Entering the world outside of POSTECH won’t be easy. You will encounter larger questions and even greater challenges than what were presented to you on a test or in the classroom or laboratory. Trust yourself and do not be afraid of standing out from the rest. Be original and dare to be different! The philosopher and scientist Thomas Kuhn said, “Almost every significant breakthrough in the field of scientific endeavor is first a break with tradition, with old ways of thinking, with old paradigms”. Be a trailblazer! Develop yourselves further. This shouldn’t be the end of your education but only the beginning of a lifelong pursuit of learning and development.
Let us reflect on the significance of the opening of POSTECH, the first research-oriented university in Korea. Founding Chairman Tae-joon Park, also the founder of POSCO, spearheaded POSTECH’s establishment and enabled POSTECH to become what it is today. Even in the face of discouragement from others and insurmountable challenges, he stood firm and relentlessly pursued his conviction of patriotism and serving the nation via steel and education. Through the successful establishment of POSCO and POSTECH, he proved to naysayers that there is possibility and hope even in times of total desperation and despair. Like Founding Chairman Park and Founding POSTECH President Kim did, only when you lead yourself with passion, tenacity, and a challenging spirit will you be able to flourish and achieve great things as a global leader in the decades to come.
A challenging spirit has been well documented in the history of science and technology. A column entitled Flying Machines Which Do Not Fly was published in the New York Times on October 9, 1903. It claimed that “the flying machine which will really fly might evolve by the combined and continuous efforts of mathematicians and technicians in one million to ten million years.” Most people back then mocked the Wright brothers and other aviators, questioning whether they were “flyers or liars.” Nonetheless, it was only after two months not one million to ten million years that the Wright brothers succeeded their first flight of a powered flying machine and made history on December 17th that same year. The most groundbreaking discoveries and innovations in human history were made possible by those who challenged the seemingly impossible, just like determined salmon battling upstream against strong currents and obstacles. 
POSTECH graduates! Our society is longing for people with the driving force to develop the future of humanity and define history with a challenging spirit. Ideas that seem the most reckless at the time – like the idea of inventing a flying machine – turn out to be the most revolutionary that end up transforming the world for the better. Your boldness and creativity to think outside the box are keenly needed more than ever before.
No one makes it to the top of the mountain in one giant dash. When you fail, learn from it rather than become discouraged and give up. A true leader knows how to turn failure into a springboard for success. As much as you may dislike bitter taste of failure, know that the fruit of success will be greater and sweeter. Remember that you need to go through the gate of failures before you can reach your destination of fulfilling your lofty dreams and achieving great success. With this in mind, I encourage you to continuously seek to challenge the status quo and pursue innovation and your dreams with passion and conviction. Instead of being afraid of uncertain future, create a future for yourself, our nation and humanity.
My dear graduates! Here is my last and most important piece of advice. I would like for you to have a greater vision than the pursuit of material riches. Use your POSTECH education, not only for your own success and glory, but also for serving others and enriching the world. It is my sincere wish that you lead a life as intellectuals who prioritize public interest and human decency in a world that needs more love and compassion. The diploma you receive today gives you immense privilege as well as an honorable responsibility to uphold POSTECH’s founding tenets to serve the nation and humanity.
My beloved graduates! More than anything, remember that POSTECH takes great pride in you and will always be by your side on your lifelong journey. You will always be a proud Postechian wherever your dreams will take you. Please go out into the world using your God-given talents to solve global problems and make the world a better place. Make POSTECH proud.
Once again, my heartfelt congratulations to all of you! Godspeed! May God’s blessings guide your way.
Thank you very much.