InterviewFrom 4-week exchange to Hyundai Engineering: Malaysian GKS scholar's 7 years in Korea
Government-backed grant supports career path
Tan Shin-hong, a Malaysian alumn of the Global Korea Scholarship program, speaks during an interview with The Korea Times at the newspaper's office in Seoul, March 26. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul
Editor’s note
As Korea intensifies efforts to attract and retain global professionals, the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) program plays an important role in bringing international students to the country. This is the third in an interview series that follows the journeys of GKS alumni, offering insight into how their experiences reflect the opportunities and challenges shaping Korea’s evolving global workforce.
The advice was simple: "Don't be mediocre, strive for excellence." That's the advice Tan Shin-hong received during a four-week university program in Korea and it was enough to change his plans entirely.
The Malaysian engineer had arrived with a return ticket and a career in his home country in mind. Years later, he is graduate of the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) program, a master's degree holder from Jeonbuk National University and a manager in the plant design management team at Hyundai Engineering — still in Korea and planning to stay.
He recalled being introduced to both Korean culture and the country’s advanced technology and research environment during a one-month program at Kyung Hee University’s campus in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province. The experience sparked his interest in further studies.
“While participating in the program, I became interested in learning more, which led me to pursue a master’s degree in Korea after completing my undergraduate studies,” Tan said in a recent interview with The Korea Times.
His connection to Korea dates back to his sophomore year, when he took part in a government-run short-term invitation program for science and engineering students from around Asia, administrated by the Ministry of Education and the National Institute for International Education — the same bodies that oversee the GKS program.
Launched in 2015, the program aims to cultivate Korea-friendly global experts and attract a diverse pool of international students.
The initiative brings outstanding undergraduate students in science and engineering from ASEAN and other key Asian countries to Korea for a four- to five-week program held annually. Participants can take part in laboratory work, field training, industry visits and cultural experiences at domestic leading universities.
Tan Shin-hong, left, poses with fellow Malaysian Global Korea Scholarship alums at an event, Nov. 25. 2019. Courtesy of Tan Shin-hong
Building on the experience, Tan recalled a research project he undertook during the program, which proved to be a turning point for him. The advice he received from a professor while working on it lingered long after he returned to Malaysia, prompting him to rethink the conventional future he had considered settled.
“My original plan was to graduate and find a job in Malaysia like everyone else,” Tan said. “But I came across the GKS program and decided to give it a try, not knowing what might come of it.”
After learning about the GKS program, Tan said he made various efforts to strengthen his application. Despite graduating from a top-tier institution in Malaysia, he described the selection process as highly competitive, and said he took on roles such as vice president of a robotics club to demonstrate his capabilities.
In 2019, he enrolled in the Department of Industrial and Information Systems Engineering at Jeonbuk National University, a flagship national university in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province.
Tan Shin-hong poses following his graduation from Jeonbuk National University in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province, Aug. 22, 2022. Courtesy of Tan Shin-hong
Tan highlighted that one of the most meaningful aspects of the GKS program was the opportunity to connect with students from diverse national backgrounds.
“Since we were all studying in Korea with a shared goal, it allowed for deeper exchanges,” he said.
He also noted that, unlike many scholarship programs that primarily cover tuition for degree courses, GKS stands out for supporting Korean language training.
“When I first arrived in Korea, I didn’t speak much Korean,” he said. “After about a year at a language institute, I was able to communicate without difficulty.”
Tan said the GKS program also proved valuable in his transition to the job market, helping strengthen his applications to major companies.
“The scholarship itself helped demonstrate my capabilities when applying for positions,” he said.
Now settled in his career, Tan said he has been in Korea for about seven years and aims to obtain permanent residency.
“For now, I plan to continue settling in Korea,” he said. “Beyond my current role, I hope to contribute to projects related to Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, if opportunities arise.”