It may seem like a faraway story for freshmen, but after an enjoyable college life, graduation approaches. For the sake of a smooth graduation, it's important to explore one's major in detail and figure out the accurate graduation requirements. The graduation requirements of Kyonggi University can be distinguished as graduation credits, a graduation thesis or test, education on human rights and gender equality, and a graduation certification system. Among these, the graduation certification system consists of advanced major certification, multi-major certification, field training semester system certification, foreign language certification, and KGU+ certification. We have to achieve 2 out of 5. Here is some important information about KGU+ certification, including information on some programs for this graduation requirement. KGU+ certification can be accomplished when one acquires over 140 points or obtains a total of 6 or more credits in liberal arts courses in the field of employment and entrepreneurships and also gains 80 points or more in the comparison of employment and entrepreneurships. In other words, KGU+ certification is a system where students earn points through various activities inside and outside the university. 140 points may seem quite high, but there are many programs that can help students accumulate KGU+ points.

 The purpose of KGU+ points is to gain a variety of experiences other than academics and to strengthen various competencies. The methods of obtaining points include school activities such as student council activities, volunteer activities, foreign language test scores, and external public offerings. We can easily find some school activities on the BARUN system on the Kyonggi University website. There are programs with great purposes, like strengthening learning capabilities, creative problem-solving, and further start-up capabilities. The most popular programs for Kyonggi University students are Creative Turtle Learning Group and Tutoring from the Teaching and Learning Development Center. The Creative Turtle Learning Group focuses on professors and students forming a learning community to improve learning motivation. During every recruitment period, over 200 groups have participated in this program. Creative Turtle Learning Group helps students develop self-directed learning skills and knowledge exploration skills. It also grants each group 30 KGU+ points. Another program is Tutoring. It is divided into Freshmen Tutoring, Steppingstone Tutoring, and Minority Group Tutoring. The first one consists of freshmen and enrolled students; others are made up of registered students. Since it's a tutoring program, there are certain necessary qualifications for tutors. When students complete the program, a tutor can get 30 points, and the tutee can get 15 points. Both programs from the Teaching and Learning Development Center recruit participants each semester, so students have more opportunities to apply to the program.

 If you go inside each department, there are various MATE programs where students can cultivate abilities about the department. MATE programs proceed with some research activities and in-depth studies related to major subjects. They meet more than seven times. In contrast with the previous programs, there is no limit on the number of applicants, so many students are interested in this program. The MATE programs are open in most of the departments. It gives students 30 points, and they can study their major intensively while gaining points.

 Lastly, there are career and entrepreneurship development programs from the Human Resources Development Office and the University Job Plus Center. These programs primarily consist of practical studies such as license activities and practice curriculum, which can help college students prepare for employment. These programs are designed to equip you with the essential skills, knowledge, and real-world experience you need to navigate the dynamic and competitive job market. The KGU+ points that you can get are quite different, so you also need this real-world experience. 

 If you look around the BARUN system more carefully, you can find various ways not only to fill the KGU+ points but also to live an efficient college life. There is a kind of scholarship at Kyonggi University that awards students who get over 300 points. You can find some information about it on Kyonggi University’s website and KUTIS. Use this information to learn more about KGU+ points and aim for the double benefit of fulfilling graduation requirements and receiving scholarships.

77th Reporter • JOE YEON WOO • amyjoe0213@naver.com