How I Secured a Fully Funded Master's at Gyeongsang National University, South Korea Through the Global Korea Scholarship

This is Mohammad Nazmul Alam, born and raised in Chittagong, Bangladesh. I completed my Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honors) degree from International Islamic University Chittagong, Bangladesh. I then completed my Master's in Pharmaceutical Technology & Biopharmaceutics with a thesis from North South University, Dhaka, Bangladesh. I also completed the Korean Language Program for Foreigners at Pai Chai University, Daejeon, South Korea.

I am a Registered Pharmacist (A-7348) with the Bangladesh Pharmacy Council and a researcher with a strong background in pharmacy, pharmaceutical sciences, pharmacology, Quality Assurance, and experimental research.

Currently, I am working as an Executive in the Product Development Section, Quality Assurance Department at Orion Infusion Ltd., a sister concern of Orion Group, Bangladesh, where I focus on product development, maintaining product quality, compliance, and regulatory standards in pharmaceutical manufacturing.

I have more than one year of research experience at Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, South Korea, where my work focused on the discovery of kinase inhibitors as potential anti-cancer agents. This experience strengthened my expertise in pharmacological research, data analysis, and laboratory techniques.

Previously, I worked at ACME Laboratories Limited as a Production Pharmacist in Large and Small Volume Parenteral, gaining hands-on experience in sterile manufacturing processes.

My research interests include cardiovascular and metabolic disorders, particularly iso-induced myocardial infarction, high-fat diet-induced obesity, and CCl₄-induced liver cirrhosis in animal models. I have published several research articles in reputed journals and presented my work at scientific conferences.

I am passionate about contributing to pharmaceutical innovation, quality excellence, and impactful research that improves patient outcomes.

Global Korea Scholarship Details

The scholarship was funded by the Korean Government through the Korean Government Scholarship Program (KGSP), which is now known as the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS).

The scholarship was generally divided into two stages. First, scholarship recipients completed one year of Korean language training at a designated language institute under the supervision of NIIED (National Institute for International Education). During this period, scholars were required to successfully complete the Korean language program and meet the required Korean-language proficiency criteria, including the Test of Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK), where applicable. After successfully completing the language-training requirement, scholars proceeded to their designated universities to begin their Master's or PhD programs.

As part of the scholarship, I completed the Korean Language Program for Foreigners at Pai Chai University in Daejeon, South Korea. This one-year Korean language program was a mandatory component of the Korean Government Scholarship Program (KGSP), now known as the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS). During the program, I successfully completed my Korean language course and passed the TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) at Level 3.

After completing the language program, I was admitted to Gyeongsang National University in Jinju, South Korea, where I began my Master's degree in Pharmacology with a thesis as a Graduate Researcher. The Master's program, including research and thesis work, was the main academic component of my scholarship.

My 2017 Korean Government Scholarship was a fully funded three-year Master's scholarship with an estimated total value of approximately KRW 52–53 million, equivalent to around USD 46,000–47,000 or BDT 37–38 lakhs at 2017 exchange rates, including living allowance, tuition, Korean language training, insurance, research allowance, settlement/completion grants, and international airfare.

Educational Background

I have completed my Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honors) degree from International Islamic University Chittagong, Bangladesh. I was 1^st class 5^th in the class. My CGPA was 3.74 out of 4.00. Then, I completed my Master's in Pharmaceutical Technology & Biopharmaceutics (Thesis) with Cum Laude distinction from North South University, Dhaka, Bangladesh, with a CGPA of 3.58 out of 4.00

As a Pharmacy student, my dream was to conduct research in a pharmaceutical or pharmacological laboratory and eventually work for a reputed national or international pharmaceutical company. This ambition motivated me to work hard and continuously develop my academic and professional skills. My efforts eventually paid off through the Global Korea Scholarship and, subsequently, through opportunities to further develop my career in key Quality Assurance roles at reputed pharmaceutical companies.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to Gyeongsang National University?

One of my university seniors, Mr. Ashraf Uddin, who was also a Global Korea Scholarship recipient, motivated and advised me to apply for the scholarship. Last but not least, my family- my late father, my mother, my sister, and my life partner, my better half, my wife- was always there to support and encourage me throughout the journey. Their support and encouragement gave me the strength and confidence to pursue this opportunity.

How Did You Find Information About Global Korea Scholarship and Gyeongsang National University?

I first found out about the scholarship through Facebook. I then used the Study in Korea website to learn more about the scholarship and explore Korean universities.

Did You Take Any Standardized Tests? If So, How Did You Prepare for Them?

I took the IELTS test in 2017. I got 7 out of 9. In that test, my notable scores were 7.5 in listening and 7 in writing. I started my IELTS preparation when I was doing a Bachelor's degree at Executive Care, Lalkhan Bazar, Chittagong. Then, before the IELTS test, I was just taking Mock IELTS tests in different test centers in Dhaka and also practiced a lot at home.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for the Global Korea Scholarship?

I prepared for the scholarship by maintaining a strong academic record throughout my Bachelor's and Master's studies. I also achieved a good IELTS score and actively participated in academic conferences, poster presentations, training programs, and research activities. My publications and research experience further strengthened my academic profile and helped me become a competitive candidate for the scholarship.

Are Your Classes Conducted in English or Korean?

In my postgraduate program in South Korea, English was the primary language used for coursework and research, as it was a science-related field. However, Korean was also used occasionally, particularly in daily communication and some academic settings.

What Did You Pursue After the Global Korea Scholarship?

As a Graduate Researcher, I had to do Research work in the laboratory for my thesis, which was the Discovery of a kinase inhibitor as an Anti-cancer agent.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I believe my strong academic record throughout my Bachelor's and Master's studies, good IELTS score, conference papers, poster presentations, and research publications strengthened my application. However, I think what truly made my application stand out was my Statement of Purpose (SOP), where I connected my childhood dream of helping people with my academic and professional aspirations. I expressed my desire to use my knowledge, research, and professional expertise to make a meaningful contribution to people's lives and society.

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

If I were going through the process again, I might consider applying for an integrated Master's and PhD program. However, at that time, my primary goal was to complete my Master's degree first and then pursue a PhD at a more advanced university or in a different country. I wanted to use my Master's experience to further strengthen my academic and research profile before taking the next step toward a PhD. Looking back, both paths could have been valuable, but I believe the decision I made was right for my goals and circumstances. At that time, my father was seriously ill and bedridden, and I applied for the scholarship at the very last moment, so I had limited time to consider all the available options. Moreover, while preparing my scholarship application, I had just left my job to take care of my father's business and help protect my family from a serious financial crisis. Despite all these challenges, I decided to pursue the opportunity, and it eventually became one of the most transformative experiences of my life.

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

My advice is not to be discouraged by a low CGPA or by thinking that you are not the “perfect” candidate. A scholarship application is about your overall profile, including your academic journey, research interests, achievements, skills, motivation, and future goals. Start preparing early, build your profile step by step, write an honest and strong Statement of Purpose, and most importantly, believe in your potential.

Sometimes, taking that first step can completely change the direction of your life.

Finally, be confident, stay persistent, and don’t be afraid to apply; you never know where the opportunity may take you.