"Old Age Is a Time for Sharing"... 25th Anniversary of Busan National University Kyunghun Silver Academy

A Lifelong Education Institution in the Region
Continuing the Legacy of the Late Kim Kyunghun
Celebrates 3,500 Graduates

The Kyunghun Silver Academy at Busan National University, which has established itself as a place of lifelong learning with no retirement in the era of longevity, is celebrating its 25th anniversary.

Busan National University Future Citizen Education Center is holding the '44th Graduation Ceremony and 25th Anniversary Celebration.' Photo by Busan National University

This lifelong education program, which has provided learning opportunities to local seniors and encouraged their participation in society, has produced a cumulative total of 3,500 graduates and has become a model for civic universities.

The Busan National University Future Citizen Education Center, led by Director Lee Kiyoung, held the '44th Graduation Ceremony and 25th Anniversary Celebration' on the afternoon of July 16, 2025, at the Daechung Hall of Nongshim Hotel in Dongnae-gu, Busan.

At the ceremony, 94 graduates of the 44th class received their diplomas, bringing the total number of graduates to 3,532 since the program produced its first graduates in 1999.

The event was attended by around 300 people, including staff members of the education center, alumni, and family members, and featured a commemorative ceremony, graduation ceremony, and congratulatory performances.

Choi Jaewon, President of Busan National University, said in his congratulatory remarks, "The way to enjoy youth is to grow, and the way to enjoy old age is to share," adding, "I hope your lives will blossom more abundantly through learning."

The Kyunghun Silver Academy was jointly established in 2001 by Busan City and Busan National University, based on a donation from the late Kim Kyunghun, president of Nakseo Construction Industry and a Korean-Japanese entrepreneur, to promote lifelong education for Busan citizens.

During his lifetime, Chairman Kim embraced the philosophy that "there is no retirement from learning" and took the lead in supporting education for the elderly. A memorial ceremony honoring his legacy is held annually at Busan National University. On this day, the 8th memorial ceremony was held in front of his bust on the first floor of the university headquarters before the graduation ceremony.

The academy is committed not only to education but also to practicing social sharing. The alumni association maintains the community through various clubs and social activities, while the affiliated Kyunghun Senior Center, a non-profit corporation, has operated the Kyunghun Arts Volunteer Group since 2008, performing at nursing hospitals and local events.

Lee Kiyoung, director of the education center, said, "The Kyunghun Silver Academy is a civic university that simultaneously realizes self-actualization for seniors and contributes to the local community," adding, "We will continue to be a place of education that provides a positive turning point in the lives of seniors."

The 'Kyunghun Scholarship' award ceremony was also held during the graduation event. Since 2013, the Kyunghun Scholarship has been awarded to children from multicultural families, Southeast Asian international students, and university students majoring in welfare and veterans affairs. This year, a total of six students each received a scholarship of 2 million won.

For the past 25 years, the Kyunghun Silver Academy has remained dedicated to seniors, and, based on the late Chairman Kim Kyunghun's spirit of 'the joy of learning' and 'the practice of sharing,' is preparing for a new leap forward toward the next 25 years.