Ozoda Makhkamova, left, from Tajikistan, and Sercan Yesilkoy from Turkey pose during a scholarship award ceremony at the Booyoung Group headquarters in central Seoul, Friday. Courtesy of Booyoung

By Baek Byung-yeul

Woojung Education & Culture Foundation, set up by Booyoung Group ― a construction company ― in 2008, has awarded 350 million won ($300,000) in scholarships to 89 international students studying in Korea for the 2022 spring semester, it said Sunday.

The foundation grants scholarships twice a year to foreign students from Asian and African countries such as Vietnam, Thailand, Laos and Kenya. Since 2010, 2,115 students from 41 countries have benefited with a total of 8.3 billion won in scholarships.

"We hope the scholarships can help students achieve their academic goals, giving them opportunities to become global leaders. Students will also play a crucial role in bridging their home countries with Korea," a Booyoung official said. "Booyoung will continue to stay active in supporting future talent in education and culture."

The construction company used to hold an award ceremony twice a year at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry in central Seoul. However, it hasn't held the event since early 2020 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition, Booyoung Group donated digital pianos and other school supplies to elementary schools in developing countries such as the Philippines, Vietnam, Laos and Rwanda.