Hilton Gyeongju awards scholarships to Dongguk University WISE Campus students

Hilton Gyeongju, operated by Wooyang Industrial Development Co., awarded scholarships totaling 4 million won ($2,630) to eight students in the Hotel, Tourism and Food Service Management department at Dongguk University's WISE Campus on Tuesday at the hotel's Pine Room.

The hotel presents scholarships twice a year — once each semester — reflecting CEO Jo Yeong-jun's "regional coexistence" management philosophy and commitment to social contribution.

Since 2014, the program has supported 172 students over 13 years, with cumulative contributions reaching 86 million won.

This year's ceremony carries added significance as Gyeongju looks to establish itself as a global tourism destination following the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, with growing emphasis on cultivating hospitality professionals capable of meeting international service standards.

Choi Jeong-ja, head of the Hotel, Tourism and Food Service Management department at Dongguk University, said the scholarship program, now in its second decade, has been a strong asset for students seeking hands-on industry experience and career direction. "It is making a tangible contribution to nurturing the talent that will realize Gyeongju's new vision for tourism," she said.

Kim Nam-cheol, vice president and general manager of Hilton Gyeongju, said local talent has never been more important now that the city has firmly established its presence on the global stage following the success of APEC. "We will actively support our scholarship recipients so they can deepen their studies and build the core competencies needed to lead the tourism industry," he said.