Caledonian University Scholarship Programme 2010

Each year Caledonian Taekwondo runs a sporting exchange with Pung Saeng High School in South Korea. The programme commemorates the life of Lee Sung lee, a young Pung Saeng student who tragically died of cancer aged just 16.

In 2009 Gerald Shaw, University Placement Officer,added the University's support to the sporting and cultural exchange by organising the Lee Sung Hee Scholarship Fund.

In 2010 the third year BA Business Studies students raised over £1000 to support the cause.

Fortis Lease Students: Talvinder Mann, Sara Henderson and Paul Luby join Scholarship winner Thomas Anderson and Kim Seung Jo of Chosun University.

The scholarship links academic performance to a sponsorship programme that allows the winner to train for six weeks in Korea and attend international competitions. Scholarship recipient Thomas Anderson of Knightswood Secondary has taken up the challenge with great gusto, flying high at school and winning first ever medal at the Korean International. After six weeks training at Pung Saeng High School he returned home to grab gold at the British National Championships to become British Olympic Cadet Champion.

Thomas said “I first began the sport to get active and have some fun, I enjoyed it straight away and I’ve had a lot of fun and success doing it. I want to thank Mr Shaw for helping me to succeed both academically and on the mat in my sport. Going to Korea has been life changing for me. I’ve learned so much about the country, it’s language and made so many friends, I can’t wait to go again. I want to show the University and especially the placement students my gratitude with even more hard work and hope one day to be like them and attend Caledonian University to study”Talvinder Mann responded on behalf of the student fundraising team.

We, the Fortis Lease students of 2009/2010 are honoured to have been asked to contribute a small but significant amount of money to this extraordinary programme. We are overwhelmed what this small amount of money can do for those participating ion the scheme and are delighted to be able to make such a difference."

Thomas Anderson (Knightswood Secondary) and Dilexsan Francis Aloysious (Holyrood Secondary) with Lee Kyung Bae, head of Pung Saeng High School. Korean students who came to Glasgow in 2009.

The return benefits of this programme are that six young Korean athletes come to Glasgow for six weeks every summer to live train and study. In 2010 the programme has expanded to 12 athletes! They learn English, pass on their sporting knowledge, share cultures and make lifelong friendships.

One such beneficiary is Kim Seung Jo, graduate of Pung Saeng High School and current Chosun University student. Fresh from his two year military service with the Korean Marine Corps, Seung Jo has enjoyed the support of the university.

"This has been an amazing experience for me, to have Caledonian University help me has been very inspiring. I intend to study English very hard to help build a strong relationship between Chosun University in South Korea and Caledonian University. Once my fellow Korean students hear how friendly and helpful this University is I think we will be able to co-operate on many future projects. Glasgow Caledonian embodies the community spirit that my country is built on. I'm proud to have been here and hope to open the door for more Koreans to study here. Thank you sincerely."

Dr Ailsa McKay joins the two athletes and sponsors a Korean athletes visit to Scotland in 2010.

University Principal, Professor Pamela Gilles, continued her support for the programme by endorsing the naming of a university seat in the Govan Mbeki Lecture Theatre in honour of Lee Sung Hee.

The university's support also extends to the fantastic sports facilities at the ARC which will host the Lee Sung Hee Cup on Sunday 8th August with the Olympic taekwondo teams of Korea, Norway, Switzerland, Great Britain and Scotland to attend. Its sure to be a great day with a host of learning opportunities and fun for all. We hope to see you there for a showcase of Olympic taekwondo.

For further details about the lee Sung Hee Exchange programme and the Lee Sung Hee Cup please click on the Exchange Programme link.