Gyeongsang-do’s ‘lovebird couple’

Becoming ‘a couple with doctorate degree’ at GIST

 

- Yong Eun Park and Hyun Jung Kim of Environment Engineering got married on February 22, 2014 and both received doctorate degrees on February 25, 2014
- Being a campus couple for 10 years of “understanding each other and giving encouragements on researches led to such achievements”
- A ‘new start’ in the US where Mr. Park works as a post-doc. researcher at a research center of the US Department of Agriculture

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

□ On February 25, 2014 (Tuesday), a ‘lovebird couple’, who studied environment engineering together for ten years, both received doctorate degrees at the graduation ceremony of Gwangju Institute of Science Technology (GIST, President ž Young Joon Kim) after being married earlier on. 

 

□ The couple is Mr. Yong Eun Park (age 33) and Ms. Hyun Jung Kim (age 30) studying environment engineering at GIST. The two got married three days before the graduation ceremony on February 22, 2014, followed by receiving the doctorate degree of engineering at the graduation ceremony held on February 25, 2014. Mr. Park got his doctorate for his study on how pollutants change in river basins due to climate changes, while Ms. Kim got her doctorate for her study on how microorganisms pollute reverse osmosis membranes when they are used during the process of water treatment.

 

□ The couple first met studying environment engineering at the Kyungpook National University as a returning student and a junior colleague in the same department. They got closer at the athletics competition where Mr. Park was the coach and Mrs. Kim was the athlete of female kickball game. They had lots in common, including both staying at dormitory, studying the same major and having parents doing farm work. The two quickly became a couple after going to cafeteria and library together.

 

□ The reason why the ‘Gyeongsang-do couple’ entered GIST in Gwangju is because of Ms. Kim’s internship. She said, “During my stay at GIST for one month as an intern, I felt that the professors had clear research visions and taught their students with passion and in earnest. I decided to do my graduate course at GIST because I felt it was a place that could develop my knowledge further.”

 

□ At Ms. Kim’s recommendation, Mr. Park also attended the Open Lab for GIST’s graduate school and he liked the scholarship system, research facilities and active research atmosphere. After graduating from university in 2007, the couple entered into the master’s course in environment engineering at GIST. Mr. Park and Ms. Kim each studied at the Environmental systems engineering lab Energy and Biotechnology Laboratory for two years and went on to continue the doctorate degree in 2009.

 

□ Studying for the doctorate degree was not easy. There were times when they felt frustration, but at times like that, the couple encouraged each other and engaged in research. They enjoyed going on dates to famous restaurants or playing table tennis at the gymnasium to ease stress. Mr. Park said, “I was able to clarify my life goal by leading a religious life at GIST’s church, together with my studies at graduate school. As a couple of the same department, we were able to understand each other better and felt connected because we knew the difficulties faced when doing research at the lab.”

 

□ After ten years of as a couple, the two got married on February 22, 2014 and they plan to go the US sometime during March. With the recommendation of the academic advisor, professor Joon Ha Kim (School of Environmental Science and Engineering), Mr. Park was chosen as a post-doc. researcher for a research center affiliated to the US Department of Agriculture. Ms. Kim also plans to work as a post-doc. researcher in the US. Since they haven’t had time because of preparations for the graduation ceremony and going to the US, they plan to go to a popular vacation spot in Cancun, Mexico. close to the US for their honeymoon.

 

□ (Yong Eun Park) “Because of many benefits I received, GIST allowed me to concentrate solely on research, and also I obtained many valuable things here, including gaining confidence in English skills, learning to be passionate about research and other wisdoms needed in life. As a graduate of GIST, I will continue my studies and never forget my memories at GIST, as well as my feelings of thanks to the school.”