How a Bangladeshi Scholar Secured the Fully Funded GKS Scholarship to Pursue a Master’s in Plant Biology at Kyungpook National University, South Korea

This is Ashim Kumar Das from the Gazipur district of Bangladesh. As a village-grown boy, playing Cricket all the time, I never had a dream to be passionate about Agriculture. When I got the chance to be admitted to an agriculture-based university through an admission test, I built my interest in my higher education.

My current focus is to be a Plant biologist where I want to see the gene regulation in plants that modulate a diverse array of molecular mechanisms.

Global Korea Scholarship Details

It was April 2022 when I applied to the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) organized by the National Institute for International Education, Republic of Korea. After 3 months of my application, with several corrections during the application process, I was finally awarded GKS-2022. I would say GKS is the best scholarship for any international students in Korea.

GKS scholarship announcement is made twice a year [October for Undergraduate (class start March) and February for Master's, PhD, and PostDoc (class start September)].

If you are interested in GKS, please check out this website StudyinKorea, where you will find information about GKS as well as other Korean scholarships.

Educational Background

I did my Bachelor's and Master's from Gazipur Agricultural University, Gazipur, Bangladesh (formerly Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agri. Uni.). I secured a GPA of 3.51/4.0 and 3.81/4.0 for my Bachelor's and Master's, respectively.

As Agricultural science is parallel to Applied science or Applied Biology, where you have the chance to know how a plant grows in soils, what the requirements are for it, and what output you are expected from it. Then you can try to understand what is going on inside plants, why they produce food for us, and how.

During my Bachelor's, I realized that I need to be involved in research projects where I apply my theoretical knowledge in the field. I started to work with one of the university's professors, and steadily engaged with several research projects on how plants survive under adverse climatic conditions.

I would say my passion for research influences me more to start my higher education, where I can continue my interest with better opportunities.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to Kyungpook National University? 

A well-written application guideline on the official GKS website (see the link above) outlines the specific documents you need to submit.

Importantly, the GKS graduate program is divided into two tracks: the Embassy Track and the University Track.

For the Embassy Track, applicants must submit all required documents to the Korean Embassy in their home country. The Embassy screens the applications first and then forwards them to the universities selected by the applicants.

I applied through the University Track, where I was able to choose a lab based on my research interests and contact a professor directly. After getting the professor’s approval, I also received a recommendation letter from them, which I included in my application.

While contacting a professor isn’t always mandatory for graduate applicants, not doing so can be risky. The GKS office typically sends your documents to all professors in the department you listed, but there’s no guarantee you’ll be matched with the lab you prefer. I’ve seen students end up in labs outside their area of interest, and many struggled to continue.

So, for graduate students in applied sciences, where research plays a central role, I strongly recommend applying through the University Track and choosing your lab carefully.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

In my case, my previous academic performance (GPA), English language certificate, and research experience aligned with my interests, all played a key role in helping me secure the scholarship.

However, it’s important to note that research experience is not always a mandatory requirement. It depends on the specific department and program you're applying to.

What Would You Have Done Differently if You Were Going Through the Process Again?

This is a very competitive scholarship, with thousands of students applying for the same opportunity, so your application needs to stand out.

In my case, I have published over 10 scientific research papers related to my field of interest. My personal statement, statement of purpose (SOP), and the research question I proposed in the application (as part of the research plan) helped set me apart from other applicants.

What Advice Would You Give Those Looking to Apply for a Similar Scholarship?

I’ve always been very clear about my goals, and you should be too. If you're planning to study in Korea, a highly developed country, it's important to build on your existing expertise. Remember, you're applying for graduate studies, not undergraduate. At this level, prior experience in your field matters.

I’m not saying you need to be perfect, but you should start gaining relevant experience during your undergraduate years. That early preparation will help you a lot and can give you an edge when applying for scholarships.

Lastly, get involved in welfare or leadership activities. These will help you develop strong communication skills, which are essential when working with people from different cultures.