Hyundai Motor Group and University College London Establish Scholarship Program for Developing African Talent

Hyundai Motor Group is establishing a scholarship program at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), a constituent college of the University of London, to nurture African talent.

Hyundai Motor Group and SOAS announced on the 11th that they signed a donation agreement for the Hyundai Motor Group Scholarship at the SOAS Senate Chamber of the University of London on the 10th (local time). Key figures from both sides attended the event, including Heungsoo Kim, Head of Hyundai Motor Group GSO Headquarters; Ashley Andrew, Managing Director of Hyundai Motor and Genesis UK; Simon Hetherington, Managing Director of Kia UK; Adam Habib, Vice-Chancellor of the University of London; Elisa van Waeyenberge, Dean; and Professor Christopher Cramer.

SOAS is one of the 17 constituent colleges of the University of London. It is an educational institution specializing in training experts in developing countries, particularly in Asia and Africa.

Hyundai Motor Group is establishing a scholarship program to nurture African talent at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, UK. (From left) Simon Hetherington, Managing Director of Kia UK, Ashley Andrew, Head of Hyundai Motor and Genesis UK, Kim Heung-soo, Head of Hyundai Motor Group GSO Division, Adam Habib, President of the University of London, Elisa van Waeyenberge, Dean, Christopher Kramer, Professor. Provided by Hyundai Motor Group. Photo by Hyundai Motor Group

Starting from the first half of this year, Hyundai Motor Group will operate the largest scholarship program at SOAS by selecting five African master's and doctoral students annually for five years and providing a total of 1.5 million pounds in tuition and living expenses. Scholarship recipients will continue networking activities for establishing and implementing Hyundai Motor Group’s Africa cooperation model by regularly participating in various network events and seminars hosted by Hyundai Motor Group even after completing their studies.

Additionally, Hyundai Motor Group plans to introduce its future vision for Africa and provide global business experience through a junior internship program for African undergraduate and master’s students at SOAS.

To promote mutual cooperation with African countries, Hyundai Motor Group has consolidated the capabilities of its group companies and established cooperation models. Last year, Hyundai Motor Group and SOAS established the Development Leadership Dialogue Institute (DLD), where public and private experts discuss industrialization plans for developing countries including Africa, and the Centre for Sustainable Structural Transformation (CSST), which researches structural changes for Africa’s development.

Head Kim said, "Hyundai Motor Group has established the DLD and CSST centers with SOAS to gain a fundamental understanding of Africa and is exploring cooperation models for a desirable future for Africa. We have established Hyundai Motor Group’s scholarship program to nurture the next generation of leaders who will lead Africa’s sustainable development and aim to foster Africa’s future generations."

Vice-Chancellor Habib said, "Expanding opportunities for students from developing countries, including Africa, to receive education at SOAS is central to our mission. We appreciate Hyundai Motor Group’s continuous support for SOAS to help Africa’s next generation of leaders develop the vision and capabilities to lead sustainable positive change, and we look forward to gradually expanding collaboration for nurturing African talent."