Qualcomm Scholarship Program Fuels STEM Innovation Across South Korea
Qualcomm’s long-term investment in South Korean youth is yielding impressive results, fostering a new generation of innovators through robotics and convergent thinking.The Qualcomm Scholarship Program, now entering its eleventh year, is expanding its reach and impact, equipping middle and high school students with the skills needed to tackle real-world challenges.
The future talent growth program, operated by global semiconductor company Qualcomm Incorporated, began activities in 2025 with nationwide attention. Approximately 170 students, representing 20 teams from across the country, are participating in this year’s program, solidifying its position as a leading initiative in convergent talent training.
A Decade of Investment in Future STEM Leaders
Qualcomm launched the ‘Qualcomm Scholarship Program’ in 2015 as a strategic, long-term investment in a sustainable society. The program operates in conjunction with the FIRST Tech Challenge, a globally recognized youth robotics competition organized by the FIRST Foundation in the United States. With over 700,000 participants across more than 110 countries, the FIRST Tech Challenge provides a dynamic platform for students to apply STEM principles, develop problem-solving skills, and foster teamwork.
This year is the program’s expansion beyond the Seoul metropolitan area to include participation from students in Jeolla,Gyeongsang,Gangwon,and Jeju provinces. To support this broadened reach, face-to-face workshops were conducted in each region, enhancing students’ understanding of the technology and improving the overall quality of their project execution. This regional expansion is widely regarded as a key step in increasing accessibility and maximizing the program’s impact.
Industry and Education Leaders Praise Program Impact
The success of the Qualcomm Scholarship program is attracting praise from both industry and education leaders. becky Fraser, Vice President of Government Affairs at Qualcomm, expressed enthusiasm for the program’s continued growth, stating, “It is meaningful to be able to see at the Korea Robot Championship that the students on the Qualcomm scholarship team take on challenges with greater passion every year.” Fraser also highlighted the impressive progress of Korean teams competing in the First Championship, emphasizing Qualcomm’s commitment to fostering convergent talent through collaboration with FIRST and FEST.
Educational leaders are equally impressed. Principal Moon Gyeong-sam of Seogwipo Industrial High school, a first-time participant in the program, lauded the significant growth demonstrated by his students through collaborative work and immersive robot building. He expressed hope that the Qualcomm Scholarship Program will serve as a catalyst for developing creative convergence skills, alongside teamwork and a spirit of challenge.
National Competition and Global stage
The Qualcomm scholarship teams will showcase their achievements and compete for a spot on the national team at the Korea Robot Championship, taking place at the Daejeon Convention Center from January 30th to January 31st. The winning team will than represent South Korea at the FIRST Championship in late April, competing against teams from around the globe.
A Model for Long-Term Talent Development
The qualcomm Scholarship Program systematically strengthens the convergent capabilities of young people through problem-solving education centered around robot construction. The expansion of national participation and the provision of tailored regional support demonstrate the program’s potential as a sustainable model for long-term talent development.
the Qualcomm Scholarship Program has established itself as a viable solution for nurturing the convergent talents needed in future society, extending beyond technical education to encompass collaboration, challenges, and global exchange.Continued public-private partnerships are expected to further expand this vital talent ecosystem.
About the Creative Engineering Education Association
Since 2010, the Creative Engineering Education association has served as the official korean partner of the FIRST Foundation in the United States.For 15 years, the association has organized the ‘Korea Robot Championship,’ the Korean iteration of the ‘First Tech Challenge,’ a robot festival and global competition where korean youth cultivate teamwork and convergent problem-solving skills through robotics.The association also delivers innovative, story-driven convergence education content through events like the Daejeon Science Festival and the Korea Education Expo, and collaborates with leading companies such as Qualcomm, Novelis, and KLA to develop creative convergence talent programs.(Photo provided)
