On December 12, 2025,  KDI School held its 2025 Commencement Ceremony, with over six PhD students graduating, 367 master’s students receiving their degrees, and 186 master’s students completing their coursework.

In her convocation speech, Ms. Minseon Jang shared that while working in government, she often forgot the reason she chose public service in the first place—but staying at KDI School reminded her of it. She added that the experience reignited her passion and commitment to serve. “Our time in KDI School has come to an end, but our mission has just started. Go back to serve our societies and make meaningful actions,” she said.

Delivering the valedictory address, Ms. Soyeon Shin spoke about navigating two complex and seemingly opposite fields: the military and academia. While the former demands quick decisions and immediate results, the latter embraces uncertainty and encourages constant questioning. Through her KDIS education, she said she became a stronger advocate of research, emphasizing that decision-making without scientific analysis is dangerous. In her final words, she expressed gratitude to the community she found at KDI School: “You expanded my world… Because of you, I no longer see foreign nations, I see the homes of my friends.”

Following the conferment of degrees, seven students received the Award for Outstanding Thesis Project, and three students were recognized with the Award for Outstanding Capstone Project. One student from each program also received the Award for Academic Excellence, while nine were honored with the Student Community Service Award.

Ms. Andrea Joyce Arbues from the Philippines received both the Award for Academic Excellence for the Master of Development Policy Program and the Student Community Service Award. “I enjoyed my stay at KDI School because it allowed me to grow both academically and personally. The school creates a space where learning goes beyond the classroom and includes not only knowledge, but also friendships, experiences, and meaningful moments,” she said.

This theme of growth and gratitude was echoed by graduating PhD students as well. When asked how she felt upon completing her PhD and who supported her journey, Ms. Andika Ayu Putri Ragil from Indonesia shared: “I have mixed feelings—happy and relieved because I finally completed my PhD after four challenging years. At the same time, I feel a sense of sadness, as I have to leave the campus, the services, and the professors who have been incredibly kind and supportive. But I believe that to grow and move forward, we must be willing to step out of our comfort zone.” 

She acknowledged that her PhD journey was shaped by many people and institutions. She highlighted her late mother as her greatest source of strength and inspiration: “Her strength continues to guide me every day. I am also deeply grateful to my family for their endless support and prayers.”

She also expressed appreciation to the faculty members who guided her: “Academically, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Professor Park Sungho as my main supervisor, Professor Yoon Chungeun as my advisor at the Stata Center, and all the PhD professors who supported me with their expertise, patience, and encouragement. I am also grateful to the many professors who guided me throughout my studies and enriched my teaching experience.”

As the ceremony came to a close, the stories shared by the graduates reflected not only academic achievement, but also resilience, gratitude, and a renewed commitment to public service. These are the values that continue to define the KDI School community.