The PonyJeong Foundation held the '2021 PonyJeong Innovation Award Essay Contest' and selected eight winners. From the left: Choi Seoyeon (Sociology, Seoul National University · Grand Prize), Oh Jiseon (Graduate School of Techno Management, KAIST · Excellence Award), Han Taehee (Graduate School of Bio and Chemical Engineering, KAIST · Excellence Award), Kim Jongsu, Advisor of the PonyJeong Foundation. The PonyJeong Foundation announced on the 13th that it has held the '2021 Innovation Award Essay Contest' to widely promote the significance of the 15th PonyJeong Innovation Award and has finally selected a total of eight winning entries.
This contest was organized to raise social interest in the foundation's core values of innovation and challenging spirit, as well as HDC Group's key focus areas of eco-friendliness and future industries, through a special lecture by Professor Sangyeop Lee, a distinguished professor at KAIST and the recipient of the 15th PonyJeong Innovation Award. It was held with a total prize money of 16 million KRW, targeting university (graduate) students and high school students in Korea.
The judging panel included Professor Sangyeop Lee of KAIST, the 15th PonyJeong Innovation Award winner, and Professor Woobong Jeong of Korea University's Department of Korean Literature, who comprehensively evaluated understanding of challenge, innovation, eco-friendliness, future industries, thematic awareness, and writing skills. A total of eight works were awarded: one grand prize, two excellence awards, and three merit awards.
The grand prize was awarded to Seo-yeon Choi, a student majoring in Sociology at Seoul National University, for her essay titled "Innovation for Humans, Innovation for the Earth." Based on Professor Lee's lecture, Seo-yeon Choi reflected on innovation for all humanity and the planet and expressed her conviction about the true path of innovation, earning her the honor of the grand prize. The judging panel commented, "The essay demonstrates a deep understanding of the lecture content and excellent ability to advocate the true path of innovation." The prize money is 5 million KRW.
Seo-yeon Choi said, "I used to be someone who pursued stability rather than novelty, but after listening to Professor Sangyeop Lee's lecture, I realized that anyone can become an innovator if they constantly question whether existing customs truly serve humans and the Earth." She added, "I will study policies and laws with the mindset of an innovator and lay the socioeconomic foundation for future generations to live."
The excellence awards were given to Taehee Han (KAIST Graduate School of Bio and Chemical Engineering) and Jiseon Oh (KAIST Graduate School of Technology Management), each receiving 3 million KRW. The merit awards were given to five individuals: Seonghwan Lee (Yonsei University Medical School), Wonjun Choi (Hanyang University Future Automotive Engineering), Hanna Kim (Sungshin Women's University Media Communication), Woojung Chae (Chungnam National University Graduate School of Global Cultural Contents), and Mincheol Park (Sogang University Graduate School of Philosophy), each receiving 1 million KRW.
Meanwhile, since its establishment in 2005, the PonyJeong Foundation has continued scholarship, academic, and award programs, inheriting the philosophy of promoting basic academic disciplines and nurturing talent of the late Jeong Seyoung, Honorary Chairman of HDC Group (formerly Hyundai Development Company).
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