"To find the path, one must begin the journey."

If we wish to discover a new path, we must first set out on a journey. Only by venturing forth, can we know if a new path exists. Sometimes, we encounter dead ends. Stopping in our tracks when there is no path means the journey ends there. However, even when no path is in sight, taking another step into the forest can create a new way forward. By forging a path where none existed, we may eventually encounter a wide road. Every great exploration in the world has been achieved in this manner. To find the path, one must take the first step.

Dear members of Korea Aerospace University (KAU)!
The morning of 2025, the Year of the Blue Snake, has dawned. As we welcome the new year, our hearts are heavy due to the tragic aviation accident at Muan Airport on December 29, one of the worst in recent history. This unimaginable tragedy reminds us to reflect on safety in our daily lives. May all of you achieve the goals you have set for this year, and may your homes be filled with happiness and joy. For the sake of change, our university has been running tirelessly, and in the new year, we will continue moving forward, finding our way. The innovations we have sought to achieve thus far, aim to realize the immense potential unique to the Korea Aerospace University. With the understanding and cooperation of our faculty, staff, students, alumni, and foundation, we achieved several remarkable accomplishments last year. First, we successfully completed Phase 1 of our education infrastructure expansion project, which included a five-year remodeling of lecture halls and faculty research offices. Next, we established a sustainable revenue model to strengthen our financial foundation. Through efforts such as expanding major R&D contracts based on industry-academic collaboration, establishing and operating the new School of Global Aviation Studies for international students, and reorganizing the Aviation Technical Training Institute to train MRO personnel, the university's financial scale has increased by more than 20% compared to the previous year. Additionally, by restructuring the academic system and curriculum in response to environmental changes brought about by digital transformation, the university achieved the highest S-rating in the Ministry of Education's University Innovation Support Project performance evaluation. These achievements were made possible thanks to the dedication of our faculty and staff, who have fulfilled their roles in our journey to find new paths of innovation.

There are also areas where improvement is needed, and these will be our key tasks for the new year.
First, we must restore the true value of KAU, which has been underestimated externally. To achieve this, we will establish more diverse promotional strategies to enhance our status as a global aerospace university. Through Vision 2030, an initiative being prepared by the university headquarters, we will soon reaffirm the values we pursue as an institution.
Second, we need collective efforts to successfully implement the Self-Directed Major Program starting this year. We must dedicate special attention and wisdom to ensure effective curriculum management and student guidance to minimize trial and error as new students entering the Dream Design College (DDC) study for a year and freely select two major tracks.
Third, we will continue to improve the environment for current students. We plan to remodel the Student Union building and enhance and expand facilities to support student self-governing organizations and club activities.
Fourth, we aim to expand our internationalization initiatives. By recruiting outstanding international students and developing various international exchange programs, we will strengthen KAU's global standing while continuing efforts to build a solid foundation. This year, the number of major fields of study in the School of Global Aviation Studies will increase to four, and international education programs are scheduled to begin in the second half of the year. It is vital to ensure the smooth operation of each educational program.
Finally, we must focus on developing the Regional Innovation System & Education (RISE). This initiative, led by metropolitan and provincial governments, will become the Ministry of Education's primary channel for financial support moving forward. All of our university’s resources must be directed toward securing new education and research projects through competition.I kindly ask for the active participation of our faculty members and the full support of all administrative departments to help achieve this goal.

Esteemed faculty and staff!
Our nation has now entered a transitional period of realigning the structures of universities. The sharp decline in the school-age population and the acceleration of digital transformation are deepening the uncertainties surrounding the future of universities. It is predicted that at least one-third of universities in Korea will cease to exist within the next decade. However, our university stands as the only comprehensive aerospace university in Korea. From engineering fields such as aircraft and satellite design, manufacturing, and maintenance (MRO), to software, artificial intelligence (AI), flight operations, air traffic control, logistics, and business management, we are a compact yet powerful institution specializing in key areas of aerospace education and research. Through our focus on aerospace specialization, our university continues to strengthen its solid position both domestically and internationally. This period of transition may, in fact, serve as an opportunity for us to leap forward. The restructuring of the aviation industry has begun, led by our foundation, Korean Air, and the commercialization of new mobility, Urban Air Mobility (UAM) is on the horizon, as we enter an era of the space economy driven by the industry. Since its founding, KAU, has faithfully dedicated itself to research and education in the aerospace, and its role will only grow more significant in the years to come.

From this new year, our university will break down the barriers between departments and transition into a university where students have the freedom to choose their majors, becoming a truly student-centered institution. To nurture talents suited for the era of digital transformation, we are dismantling outdated frameworks and implementing a fully revamped curriculum aligned with the digital age. This marks a shift from rote memorization and passive learning to problem-solving and active education. Our students will evolve into individuals equipped with integrative and critical thinking skills during their time at KAU. In 2025, our university's journey of innovation, what we call creative destruction, will continue. I urge all members of our university community to understand and actively engage in this challenge as we move toward the future. We are navigating through a transformative era, seeking new paths forward.

I wish you all a prosperous and happy new year.
Thank you.