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“Busan Meets Central Asia!” 2025 Busan Study Abroad Fair Held in Mongolia and Kazakhstan

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Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Heong-joon) announced that it hosted the “2025 Central Asia Busan Study Abroad Fair” from September 12 to 16 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, and Almaty, Kazakhstan.

This event was organized as part of Busan’s international student recruitment strategy, the “Study Busan 30K Project.” The city actively promoted the advantages of studying in Busan to students, parents, and education officials in Central Asia.

In particular, Mongolia and Kazakhstan are regions where demand for studying in Korea has recently been increasing, and as both countries have established friendly cooperative relationships with Busan, this fair served as an opportunity to further solidify the foundation for cooperation.

Study Busan 30K Project: Under the vision “Busan, a City Ideal for Study Abroad, Leaping Forward as a Global Hub City!” three goals have been set: attracting 30,000 international students by 2028, increasing the proportion of science and engineering students to 30 percent, and raising the conversion rate to employment and job-seeking visas to 40 percent.

The event was divided into two parts: a fair in Ulaanbaatar with the participation of 13 Busan-based universities, and another in Almaty with seven universities.

The “Busan Study Abroad Fair” was held in an exhibition format, featuring university admission consultation booths, scholarship and visa information, promotional programs on Busan’s living environment and culture, and other diverse activities.

During the event, delegations also visited local high schools and universities to meet directly with educators and discuss avenues for cooperation. The focus was on establishing practical educational networks beyond mere promotion.

In Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, on September 12, the delegation visited a local integrated primary, middle, and high school for discussions with officials, followed by the fair on September 13.

At the opening ceremony, Hwang Seok-chil, Head of the Eurasia City Diplomacy Division, said, “Through this Busan Study Abroad Fair, we hope to see close cooperation not only in cultural exchange but also in education between Busan and Mongolia, leading to an influx of outstanding global talent into Busan.”

The opening ceremony featured traditional performances from both Korea and Mongolia. The fair included one-on-one university admission consultations, the operation of a Busan promotion booth, information on wide-area visa systems, and prize events. A total of about 400 Mongolian students participated.

On September 15 in Kazakhstan, the delegation visited the Almaty Korean Education Center and an international school to assess demand for studying in Busan. On September 16, the fair was held at the outdoor plaza of Abai National Pedagogical University.

At the event, more than 1,000 students visited consultation booths and the promotional pavilion, creating a lively atmosphere. Discussions were also held with local university officials to explore cooperation in joint degree programs, faculty exchanges, and student exchange programs.

Through this fair, the city directly introduced the advantages of studying in Busan to students and parents in Mongolia and Kazakhstan. The city also aims to disperse the study abroad demand concentrated in the Seoul metropolitan area, thereby strengthening the international competitiveness of Busan’s universities.

This event served as a meaningful opportunity to establish practical cooperation models with local educational institutions, expand Busan’s global education network, and reach Central Asia, where there is untapped demand for studying abroad.

Kim Gui-ok, Director General of the Youth and Industry-Academia Bureau, stated, “Mongolia and Kazakhstan are regions where demand for studying in Busan has been growing rapidly. Through this fair, we will promote Busan’s appeal and actively support more international students in choosing Busan.”