KAIST International Scholarship Recipient, Omer Tariq, Shares the Story of How He Applied for the Fully Funded Award to Pursue His Integrated Master’s and Ph.D. in Computer Science at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)

My name is Omer Tariq. I have recently completed an Integrated Master's and Ph.D in Computer Science from Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) from 2022 to 2025 in 3.5 Years. KAIST is ranked the top engineering school in South Korea. My majors are Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence. My Ph.D research has produced high impact 11high-impact  publications in top IEEE venues, including 2 publications in the IEEE Internet of Things (IoT) Journal (8.9 Impact Factor). Prior to my program at KAIST, I was working as a Senior Engineer (Embedded Systems) at the National Space Agency of Pakistan (SUPARCO) for about 7 years.

KAIST International Scholarship Details

I received the KAIST International Scholarship worth ~10,000 USD per semester for 5 years (Integrated Master + Ph.D.) to cover the tuition fee. Plus, I received ~1700 USD of stipend per month from the Advisor.

Were You Offered any Other Scholarships?

In 2021, I was offered other scholarships as well to pursue an MS or a Ph.D

• KAIST International Scholarship
• UNSW (University of New South Wales, Australia) HDR scholarship for MS in Computer Science.
• ANSO, University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) scholarship to study MS and Ph.D at the Institute of Microelectronics (Fellowship A)
• ANSO Scholarship includes a tuition waiver (30000 RMB/year), free on-campus accommodation/off-campus accommodation subsidy (8400 RMB/year), health insurance (800 RMB/year), and a monthly stipend of 3000 RMB.
• Chinese Government Scholarship for Shanghai Jiao Tong University

Educational Background

I have completed my Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering from the University of Engineering and Technology, Pakistan.
My background was in Embedded Systems (FPGA & ASIC), and then I joined SUPARCO (National Space Agency, Pakistan). I participated in and led national-level projects, including the PAKTES-1A Satellite program.

I was interested in the Machine learning domain for higher studies, so I started taking online courses in AI and machine learning from Coursera and Udemy. I completed around 20 MOOC courses. and started preparing for MS/PhD applications.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)?

How Did You Find Information About Scholarships and the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)?

Ans: I prepared an Excel sheet personally and started journaling the prerequisites of each top-ranked program by looking online. My priority was scholarship, so I kept only those programs in mind that offer good scholarships.
I prepared a list of about 20 relevant programs, and the common prerequisite among all those programs was the IELTS/TOEFL test. GRE was optional.

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

Ans: I started preparing for TOEFL and IELTS, since in the USA, TOEFL is preferred. After 1 month of preparation, I appeared in both tests and cleared both (IELTS 7.5) and (TOEFL iBT 102). I also prepared for the GRE since I was looking for a funded scholarship in the US, so I prepared for the GRE test as well and got 307/340. It is difficult to get an MS opportunity in the US, as compared to a Ph.D.

I prepared for all the tests by self-study. I followed Cambridge series books for IELTS, and Magoosh (verbal) and Manhattan series books (Quant) for the GRE test.

How Is (was) Your Experience at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)?

It's excellent. The environment is very competitive since it is a top-ranked institute. Pros: You will participate/lead in highly competitive research projects. Collaboration with elite institutes of the world. Cons: Mostly independent research, and no work-life balance.

How Do You Rate the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) Academically and Why?

I will rate KAIST as excellent academically and overall. KAIST provides generous scholarships, facilities, and academic support to all students so that they don't need to work part-time to support their education. Moreover, KAIST provided excellent entrepreneurial support to launch their own business to all students.

Are Your Classes Conducted in English or Korean? 

100% English

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

My overall profile. Statement of Purpose and Research experience matter the most. Overall Good academic profile with research publications are the added bonus. For a Ph.D, you need the professor's acceptance.

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

With my research experience, I would add more research publications (Conference/Journal papers) to my profile.

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

Excellent GPA, KAIST is competitive, so aim for the top percentile in your class.

Research experience, for graduate applicants, prior research publications, projects, or internships carry more weight than generic work experience.

Strong English proficiency, TOEFL/IELTS scores matter for non-native speakers, especially for undergrad and course-based graduate tracks.

Specialized skills: If applying for engineering or AI fields, demonstrate competence in coding, experimentation, and problem-solving through real projects.

Target the Right Department & Professor

Search university departmental websites for faculty working in your area. Read their latest publications to understand their current projects. Contact them with a tailored email:

Introduce yourself briefly.

Mention specific research they’ve done and why it excites you.

Attach your CV, transcripts, and (if possible) a short research proposal. Cold emailing can be the deciding factor in getting funding.

Prepare an Outstanding Application PackagePersonal Statement / Statement of Purpose:

Show intellectual curiosity: Highlight why you want KAIST specifically, not just "studying abroad.

Show research fit: Link your past work to potential KAIST research projects.

Show long-term vision: Mention your future goals and how KAIST’s ecosystem supports them.

Recommendation Letters:

Choose referees who know you academically and professionally.

Ensure they can speak to both your technical ability and your work ethic.

Research Proposal (for MS/PhD):

Keep it short but well-structured.

Include problem definition, significance, methodology, and expected outcomes.

Align your proposal with the professor’s funded projects.

Show More than Just Academics

KAIST values problem solvers, collaborators, and innovators.

Include evidence of leadership (student clubs, competitions, hackathons).

Mention any interdisciplinary exposure—KAIST thrives on cross-field projects.

Interview Readiness (If Invited)

Know your own application inside out.

Be ready to explain your research ideas clearly and concisely.

Demonstrate both technical depth and open-mindedness to learn.