On the 27th of last month, Kentec held the 2026 academic year entrance ceremony at the main auditorium of the university. Provided by Korea Energy Engineering University
This year, students aspiring to become global energy leaders once again chose Korea Energy Engineering University (KENTECH). Despite being accepted to traditional prestigious universities such as Seoul National University and KAIST, they opted for Kentech to take on the pressing challenges of climate crisis and energy transition.
On the 27th of last month, Kentech held the entrance ceremony for the 2026 academic year in the university’s main auditorium. The event was attended by 103 new undergraduate students, 14 master's students, and 41 doctoral students (including combined master's and doctoral programs), as well as their parents, Naju Deputy Mayor Kang Sanggu, Jeonnam Provincial Energy Industry Director Yoo Hyeonho, and Acting President Park Jin-ho, among others.
This year’s new undergraduates gathered from all over the country, having competed fiercely for a place at Kentech. For the 2026 academic year, the early admission competition rate reached 24.33 to 1, the highest since the university’s opening, while regular admission saw a competition rate of 46.8 to 1. These figures demonstrate that Kentech’s model as a university specializing in energy research and entrepreneurship has clearly established itself as a solid choice among students and parents. Moreover, the actual application results show a meaningful trend: rather than following the stable path of attending traditional prestigious universities, more students are choosing the challenge and research opportunities in the energy sector.
Kim Chaehee, a student who graduated from Bomun High School and chose Kentech over Seoul National University and KAIST, said, "During high school, I attended a lecture that made me realize how crucial energy is in solving the climate crisis. Since then, energy has been the key theme throughout my high school years." She added, "My goal is to contribute to resolving future climate crises and to conduct high-quality research projects through the doctoral program at Kentech."
There are also students who chose a research-focused path over a stable career in pharmacy. Kim Hyeonho, who graduated from Jeonnam High School and was accepted to the pharmacy program at Chonnam National University and the chemistry department at Yonsei University, said, "Despite advice that pursuing pharmacy would guarantee a secure future, I wanted to become someone who could conduct independent research in my desired field." He continued, "Kentech’s systematically organized research environment made it more attractive than other universities, which led me to make my final decision."
The differentiated educational environment at Kentech is a key factor in students’ decisions. Kentech, with its single energy engineering faculty system, operates a research- and entrepreneurship-centered education framework. The undergraduate research student program, which allows undergraduates to participate in research from the outset, is designed to give students hands-on experience with core energy research. In addition, all courses are conducted under a 4-credit project-based learning (PBL) system, continuing its educational innovation. This structure focuses on developing the ability to define and solve real-world problems, going beyond theory-based education, with the aim of nurturing talent to lead innovation in the energy industry and technology.
Acting President Park Jin-ho stated, "Here today are courageous students who have chosen to lead Korea’s energy transition and response to the climate crisis instead of the familiar path." He continued, "Kentech will spare no effort in supporting you across research and education so that you can grow into world-class researchers."
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