The number of engineering applicants has surged in a mentoring program run by the Korean Academy of Science and Technology (KAST) for science-gifted students.
KAST said that more than half of the applicants to its "Youth Science Talent Mentorship" program — which provides mentoring and lectures to students aspiring to become future scientists — concentrated in the engineering field.
The program offers first- and second-year high school students one-on-one mentoring opportunities with KAST members. This year, 87 school-recommended students applied, and 30 were selected. According to KAST, 44 of the total applicants applied in the engineering field, marking the highest share in the past five years. While engineering applicants had remained in the 20-percent range over the previous five years, this year's figure is seen as reflecting growing interest in semiconductors, AI, and robotics.
A total of 30 mentors will participate this year, including nine KAST members such as Seoul National University Professor Park Hong-kyu and 21 members of the Young Korean Academy of Science and Technology, conducting activities over a five-month period. Through individual mentoring, participants will plan research projects, and various activities are scheduled, including exchanges among mentees and field visits to research sites.
The top three mentees will be awarded a science training trip to Sweden together with their school's science teachers.
