The 10th anniversary ceremony of the Ewha Global Partnership Program (EGPP) was held at Lee San Bong Hall in the Ewha Campus Complex on May 2.
Launched in 2006, EGPP is the first scholarship program in Korea to offer full scholarships to female students from developing countries. It was created by the school to nurture talented women globally. Over the past 10 years, EGPP has graduated 114 students from 25 countries, who are working in diverse places including  governments, universities, the United Nations, and refugee camps.
A total of 80 EGPP students and alumni, president Choi Kyung-hee, Office of International Affairs (OIA) officials, professors, and chairmen of private scholarship funds sponsoring EGPP were present at the event. An opening speech was made by the vice president of OIA and a welcoming remark by president Choi ensued. She delivered words of encouragement to EGPP students.
“Overcoming cultural and language differences abroad and focusing on your studies will help you in the future,” president Choi remarked. “With the love you have received from Ewha, I hope all of you become leaders who contribute to society and work internationally.”
In addition to remarks by school authorities, EGPP alumnus Zahra Rasouli gave a speech during the ceremony. A political science and diplomacy graduate born in Afghanistan, she is currently an educator and an advocate at the Iranian and Kurdish Women’s Rights Organization in London.
“Education is the best means to empower women,” Rasouli said. “I thank Ewha for operating EGPP, a program that globally promotes women’s education and leadership. Meanwhile, I will work hard to protect the rights of women who were deprived of their right to study simply for being a woman.”
Currently, the school is providing academic and living support programs for EGPP students. Also, it holds meetings and cultural activities to help them adjust to life in Korea.
“Since my entrance in 2013, the school has made a lot of effort to provide equal opportunities to international students,” said Wiwatwicha Silsupa, an EGPP student from Thailand majoring in International Studies. “For example, the school now offers more translated versions of announcements and a Korean language mentoring program.”
Still, students expressed hopes for more services for EGPP students.
“Considering that we live apart from our family, it would be great if the school could provide psychological counseling for EGPP students,” Silsupa said. “Career or IT training would too be helpful.
For the next decade, the school aims to diversify and strengthen the EGPP network. It plans to introduce student recommendation in its admissions and admit outstanding students by modifying the admissions process. Ewha will also improve the curriculum, living environment for EGPP students and an EGPP alumni networks in each region.

저작권자 © Ewha Voice 무단전재 및 재배포 금지