The new year of 2026 has begun.
It is a time to leave behind what has passed and welcome what is new. New beginnings always bring excitement and a sense of anticipation that makes our hearts beat faster. I sincerely hope that the coming year will be filled with freshness and happiness for every member of our university community, and that good fortune will accompany KAU as we continue to seek new paths toward change and growth

Today, alongside this New Year’s Ceremony, I begin a new four-year term as president. Several deans and vice presidents who served with great dedication during my previous term have now returned to their original positions. Throughout that time, they worked tirelessly to restructure our academic system, establish new organizations, improve the campus environment, prepare for institutional evaluations, reform curricula, and launch new initiatives. I would like to express my deepest gratitude for their commitment and hard work in leading university administration together with me.

I also ask for the dedication and support of those newly appointed to leadership positions. At this stage, our foremost priority is to stabilize and strengthen the systems and projects we have recently launched. At the same time, we must complete ongoing tasks and continue developing new initiatives. When I first assumed office in 2022, I focused on revitalizing the subdued atmosphere of the university and instilling confidence through a new vision. Though change can be daunting, by dismantling outdated frameworks and pushing forward institutional reforms and new projects—with the cooperation of our university members—we have been able to bring about meaningful change. These efforts will continue with consistency and a sense of urgency.

The world beyond our campus is changing rapidly. Simply maintaining old practices within outdated regulations and systems is, in effect, a step backward. Change and new challenges may feel inconvenient or burdensome, but they are essential for a university’s survival and progress. While we may take pride in the achievements we have made, we must not forget that many universities are moving ahead of their time and succeeding through bold innovation. Over the past few years, KAU has also achieved remarkable progress—thanks to the dedication of our faculty and staff who worked to transform a stagnant campus atmosphere. Our campus culture has become more dynamic, and improvements in the educational environment, financial stability, and steadily rising admissions competitiveness have elevated the university’s standing. In particular, the recent increase in student satisfaction has fostered a renewed sense of pride across our community. On behalf of the faculty and staff, I extend my sincere appreciation and congratulations. Above all, we must clearly recognize that students are the primary stakeholders of the university. When students are satisfied with their education, a positive reputation follows, leading to a virtuous cycle of attracting talented students and nurturing successful graduates.

Dear members of the KAU community, To ensure the continued success of organizational change and innovation, we will focus on the following key initiatives.

First, we will reform the curriculum to stabilize the flexible major selection system. Each college will take the lead in drafting proposals that proactively respond to AI-driven digital transformation and changes in higher education, which will then be coordinated across colleges and finalized within a university-wide framework. We will expand shared coursework across major tracks to enable genuine interdisciplinary education—not only in admissions but also in curriculum delivery. This initiative is part of a broader effort to seek alternatives to traditional classroom-based education, which is expected to diminish over the next decade. I encourage our faculty to engage in open discussion and collective wisdom throughout this process.

Second, we will accelerate internationalization initiatives. After years of preparation, this year marks the beginning of full-scale projects aimed at positioning KAU as a global comprehensive aerospace university. Through an Internationalization Task Force, we will design a global platform and establish systematic strategies for student exchange and joint research with leading overseas universities, as well as strengthen cooperation with international organizations such as ICAO. These efforts are intended to lay a solid foundation for enhancing KAU’s global standing.

Third, we will expand campus infrastructure. In response to the growing number of international students, trainees at the Aviation Technology Training Institute and Aviation Safety Center, and the shortage of laboratory and practice spaces for graduate students, we will explore a range of solutions. As a first step, we will seek optimal nearby locations to secure spaces suitable for education and research. We will also begin full-scale consultations with local governments to improve access routes that serve as the gateway to our campus.

Fourth, we will develop effective strategies for university promotion and strengthen external engagement. KAU possesses tremendous potential in aerospace education and research. We will organize academic conferences, forums, and competitions to promote KAU’s value to academia, industry, government institutions, and the international community, while actively supporting student activities that expand exchanges with overseas universities.

Dear faculty and staff,
Messages of encouragement from alumni at home and abroad continue to reach the president’s office. Most express support for their alma mater as it regains the prestige of a traditional leading university. I am well aware that these achievements are only possible because of your dedication. Moving forward, I will also place greater emphasis on improving faculty and staff welfare, alongside student well-being. There are no achievements without effort; one reaps what one sows. In a competitive environment, a university—like a company—is ultimately defined by its people. Professors, staff, and students together constitute KAU and its competitiveness. When each individual fulfills their role, the vast system of the university functions smoothly. Please remember: “I am KAU.”

The success we have achieved in organizational transformation is the result of each of you fulfilling your responsibilities. Let us continue working together so that the fruits of our efforts lead to tangible improvements in student life and faculty and staff welfare. Those achievements will return to us in full.
Let us move forward together toward a new leap for KAU—toward a strong and prosperous university.
Thank you.