"My goal is to stay in Korea after graduation to study computer science at a startup and in graduate school. I want to contribute to Ethiopia's development in the AI era by helping people use digital infrastructure more easily and conveniently."
Nathan Mekuria Haile, 25, shared his thoughts on graduation while seated next to his father and "university senior" Mekuria Teklemariam, Chairman of Ethiopia's Federal Civil Service Commission, at KAIST's 2026 degree conferment ceremony on the 20th of this month. Mekuria made headlines in 2020 when he earned his doctorate from KAIST while serving as Ethiopia's minister, and now his son has joined him as a fellow alumnus by choosing the same institution.
Haile, a graduate of Busan Science High School for the Gifted, enrolled at KAIST's School of Computing in 2021. His father, who graduated from KAIST's Graduate School of Global IT Technology in the College of Business, was a major influence. "While my father was pursuing his doctorate, he often told me how much advanced technology contributes to the development of companies and nations," Haile said. "I chose KAIST over other universities I was accepted to because the research environment my father described seemed excellent."
He plans to gain practical experience at a Korean startup after graduation before continuing his studies in graduate school. "I plan to focus particularly on human-computer interaction (HCI)," Haile said. "When I return to my home country, I want to benchmark Korea's excellent e-government infrastructure to improve inconveniences in administrative processes." This too was influenced by his father's path. Chairman Mekuria said, "Thanks to studying ICT at KAIST, I was able to play a leading role in introducing the digital administrative platform 'MESOB' after returning to my ministerial position in Ethiopia."
Beyond computing technology, Haile also cited Korea's diligence and competitive culture as qualities he wants to emulate. "KAIST students have an attitude of honestly confronting difficulties, communicating, and solving problems," Haile said. "I particularly remember how they would study all night and work hard," he added. "I believe healthy competition leads to better results, so I want to bring this 'hard working' culture back to my home country."
His ultimate goal is "contributing to human progress." Haile said, "As an engineer, I want to research technology that can directly help people." Chairman Mekuria also advised his son that day, "I hope you become an adult who can add value to the society you belong to." He added, "I hope research and industrial cooperation between Korea and Ethiopia will be further strengthened so that both countries can develop together in a 'win-win' relationship."