Kyung Hee University (KHU)’s Office of External Affairs (OEA) hosted an overseas alumni reunion in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, from February 26 to 27. A KHU delegation team visited the reunion venue, marking the University's first major in-person alumni event since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The enthusiasm shown by both sides during the event demonstrated its success and raised expectations for KHU to further strengthen its global alumni network.

 Courtesy of  KHU Office of the Provost for External Affairs

A Long-Awaited Reunion in Ho Chi Minh

Led by the Vice-president for External Affairs Kim Jong-bok, KHU’s delegation flew to Vietnam to meet 44 alumni—18 Korean and 26 international—for a two-day reunion event. This marked the University's first overseas visit of this kind and was organized as part of the OEA’s renewed initiative to restore global alumni relations. Graduates gathered to reconnect with each other and hear updates about the University from the visiting delegation.

The reunion in Vietnam was noteworthy as it was the first time KHU sent a delegation team to host such an event. “I could not hide my surprise,” said Song Woo-seok, chair of the Vietnam alumni association. “It is a five-and-a-half-hour flight from South Korea to Vietnam. I was grateful that the University would invest the time and money to meet us in person.”

The event opened with a welcoming speech. Vice-president Kim lauded the professional achievements of KHU alumni in Vietnam and conveyed the University’s intentions to actively support their future endeavors. Following the speech, participants tuned in to a video presentation highlighting recent developments at the University.

After the formalities, the alumni and the delegation casually mingled together to enjoy a long-awaited reunion. While the graduates had studied different majors and moved on to different paths, they quickly reunited with shared memories of their time at KHU. They also engaged in lively conversations with the delegation and received updates on the progress of the University.

“Having the reunion event with the KHU delegation was not merely an extension of prior alumni meetings. Thanks to the delegation team members, I felt more in touch with my university.” said Mr. Song. Vice-president Kim shared similar feelings, commenting that “It was not easy to organize a meeting like this, but once we had, it was just like a family gathering.”

 Courtesy of  KHU Office of the Provost for External Affairs

Pandemic Urges Stronger Efforts to Strengthen Overseas Ties

Previous reunions—or the lack thereof—highlighted the long-lasting effects of the pandemic on KHU’s overseas alumni network. The OEA explained that direct meetings between the Office and overseas alumni have become stagnant ever since the global outbreak. “One of the most major and extensive social consequences of the pandemic was the breakdown of solidarity, both in alumni relations and their relations with KHU. Even as the global community gradually recovered, KHU alumni activities stayed silent,” said the Vice-president.”

In the Vietnam alumni association alone, this cut-off has had significant impacts. “Our association in Vietnam was a very active community consisting of around 50 people. During and after the pandemic, the association shrank to half of its original size,” lamented Mr. Song. 

The alumni reunion in Vietnam thus served as a milestone to both sides for restoring the post-pandemic alumni network. For the alumni, the event was an opportunity to reconnect with each other and the University after a long hiatus. For the OEA, it was a valuable lesson that highlighted the need for direct organizational support by the University to sustain international connections during adversity.

“Online exchanges alone were not enough to vitalize exchanges during the pandemic, and it was also difficult for alumni to coordinate meetings on their own,” explained the Vice-president. “This visit by the KHU delegation to Ho Chi Minh confirmed the value of KHU as a centrifuge for international alumni meetings.”

 Courtesy of  KHU Office of the Provost for External Affairs

Plans for Revitalizing KHU’s Overseas Alumni Network

Starting with Vietnam’s meeting, the Office plans to reactivate KHU’s global alumni network. The University currently has a worldwide spread of alumni—concentrated mainly in the U.S., Japan, China, Southeast Asia, and Europe. The bridges between these alumni and KHU once formed a vital part of the University’s lasting vision to achieve global eminence before the Pandemic. Now, the office plans to revitalize these alumni groups, continuing toward its international vision.

The OEA already has similar meetings on the calendar—one in the U.S. in September, and another in Japan during winter. As with Vietnam, delegation-led meetings have become central to the Office’s post-pandemic alumni strategy. “Learning from February’s experience, we will continue to send delegations and offer hands-on support for in-person gatherings, while continuing our current policy of providing KHU-related updates through digital channels,” said the Vice-president.

As KHU pursues its essential goal to become a truly global institution, rebuilding its international alumni network will remain a key priority. According to the Vice-president, “Reconnecting with overseas graduates allows the University to expand academic and industrial partnership opportunities. It also gives KHU students the necessary connections to establish themselves overseas.” By strengthening support for overseas alumni, the OEA is once more establishing KHU as a worldwide institution.

Vietnam’s gathering was more than an extension of previous alumni activities—it signified the start of recovery for KHU’s fragmented global alumni network, and a renewed initiative by the University to strengthen such ties. Mr. Song shared his appreciation of the OEA’s initiative, stating: “KHU formed a great part of my knowledge and life experience. I hope that us overseas alumni can play our part in promoting KHU as a globally minded institute to various nations worldwide.” Meanwhile, the OEA remains committed. “A graduate is a lifetime KHU family member, no matter where they are. We will continue to design and enact programs to keep our global family close,” emphasized the Vice-president.