Korea Aerospace University (KAU) held a send-off ceremony for its 2026 Summer Overseas Volunteer Team on July 20 in the conference room of the university's main administration building. The event celebrated the launch of the volunteer program and wished the participants a safe and successful journey as they prepare to engage in educational and cultural exchange with university students in Uzbekistan.

The 2026 Summer Overseas Volunteer Team consists of 15 members, including 13 students, Dean of Student Affairs Lee Sang-hak, and Professor Shavkat. Led by Student Vice President Joo Min-jae, the team will carry out an 11-day program in Uzbekistan from July 21 to 31. Two Uzbek exchange students currently studying at KAU will also join the team, helping facilitate communication and exchange with local university students.

During the program, the team will visit Tashkent State Transport University (TSTU) in Tashkent and Bukhara Innovative Medical University (BIMU) in Bukhara, where they will conduct a variety of educational and cultural exchange activities with local students. Participants have been divided into three groups—the Aviation & Drone Team, AI Team, and Korean Culture Team—each offering programs that reflect their academic backgrounds and areas of expertise.

The Aviation & Drone Team will provide drone simulation training, including both theoretical instruction and hands-on practice, followed by a quiz competition. The AI Team will introduce participants to AI-powered short-form content creation using the Higgsfield platform. Meanwhile, the Korean Culture Team will offer Korean language lessons and a Hangul bead bracelet-making activity, providing local students with an engaging introduction to Korean culture. In addition to these programs, the volunteer team will visit historical and cultural landmarks in Tashkent and Bukhara to experience Uzbekistan's rich cultural heritage.

At the ceremony, KAU President Heo Hee-young remarked, "The two universities we will be visiting are outstanding institutions that maintain strong and friendly ties with both Korea and KAU. Rather than viewing this simply as educational volunteering, I hope you will see it as an opportunity for mutual learning and exchange. Please approach every interaction with humility and respect for your counterparts."

He added, "As representatives of KAU, I hope you will take pride in your role while recognizing the responsibility it carries. Above all, make your safety the highest priority and complete every part of the program in good health."