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Honorary Ambassador Appointment Ceremony Held at Cheonma Art Center on December 16 Over 80 Participants, Including Distinguished Alumni from Various Fields Discussions Focus on University Advancement, Admissions, and Employment Strategies [December 18, 2024] Yeungnam University (YU), led by President CHOI Oe-chool, hosted a special gathering on December 16 at the LEE Si-won Global Convention Hall within the Cheonma Art Center. During this event, 53 alumni from diverse professional fields were appointed as honorary ambassadors for the university. Attendees included alumni from the School of Architecture, College of Pharmacy, College of Business and Economics, Graduate School of Business, and Law School, along with YU President CHOI Oe-chool and university faculty members, totaling more than 80 participants. The honorary ambassador initiative aims to leverage the experiences and insights of accomplished alumni to effectively promote the university’s strengths and identify new opportunities in admissions, employment, and external collaborations. The event commenced with an opening ceremony, followed by a discussion on the development of key university areas such as admissions, employment, and external cooperation. For admissions, Dean JEONG Jeong-soon presented strategies addressing changes in the admissions environment, key admissions policies, and details about specialized and newly established departments. Director JEON In from the Career Services Office shared employment-related insights, including improvements in employment rates, career and job support systems, and employment assistance programs. Lastly, Director YOON Jeong-hyeon of the Office of External Cooperation discussed topics such as fundraising efforts, donor recognition programs, strengthening alumni collaboration, and initiatives leveraging alumni networks to enhance industry-academia cooperation and employment. Returning to her alma mater, alumnus KEUM Byeong-mi (President of the Daegu Pharmaceutical Association, Pharmacy, Class of ’81) expressed her honor at being appointed an honorary ambassador. “It is a great privilege to represent YU as an honorary ambassador. The knowledge and experiences I gained at YU have always been integral to my professional journey. I am committed to contributing to the university’s continued growth and success,” she remarked. President CHOI Oe-chool, who organized the event, stated, “The outstanding achievements of YU’s alumni are the foundation of the university’s current prestige. The collective wisdom and experience of our alumni are instrumental in enhancing YU’s competitiveness in admissions and employment. Together with our honorary ambassadors, we will strive to equip YU with global competitiveness and nurture talents who contribute to humanity. By recruiting excellent students and offering cutting-edge educational programs, we aim to support our students in becoming exceptional professionals.”
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Awarded in the “Project Synergy” Category of the CSV/ESG Porter Prize Being selected and awarded as a leading organization/enterprise in Creating Shared Value (CSV) Recognized for Effectiveness of Korean-style Education ODA Project through Park Chung-hee Graduate School of Saemaul President CHOI Oe-chool, “Cultivation of Saemaul Development talents to drive development of developing countries is a shared value for common prosperity around the world.” [December 11, 2024] YU (President CHOI Oe-chool) received the “Project Synergy” award at the 11th CSV/ESG Porter Prize for Excellence in Creating Shared Value (CSV). The ceremony took place on December 4 at the Shilla Hotel in Seoul. This marks YU’s second consecutive win, following last year’s recognition in the “Project Effectiveness” category, reaffirming its achievements in international development cooperation. The award highlighted YU’s Saemaul Undong-based Official Development Assistance (ODA) program, implemented through the Park Chung Hee School of Policy and Saemaul (PSPS). The program was lauded for its role in promoting self-reliance and sustainable development in developing countries. Since its inception, PSPS has systematically imparted Saemaul Spirit and Korea's development experiences to leaders from 76 countries, producing over 940 master’s graduates. Including short-term training programs, more than 4,000 officials and experts from 80 nations have received education through YU, enabling them to drive significant changes in their home countries. President CHOI Oe-chool remarked, “YU has transformed the principles of the Saemaul Undong into an academic framework, developing Saemaul Studies and implementing practical educational programs that contribute to the international community. This award is a testament to the ongoing efforts of YU and its faculty members to share Saemaul Studies on a global scale.” YU has also advanced “Saemaul Spirit 2.0” by incorporating values of “sharing, service, and creativity” into the original principles of “diligence, self-help, and cooperation.” This approach has been integrated into its tailored leadership training and policy development support for developing nations, addressing a broad spectrum of challenges. Beyond education, YU has facilitated global cooperation, helping local businesses expand internationally and creating sustainable value through collaborative efforts. These initiatives have led to tangible changes and achievements in developing countries worldwide. In addition to the Saemaul Undong, YU has expanded its collaborative efforts into various fields such as ICT, water resource management, and smart agriculture, thereby strengthening its role on the global stage. YU's contribution to fostering talent in developing countries through academic exchanges and aiding in policy development for national progress has also garnered international attention. A notable example is President CHOI Oe-chool's recognition last year for his advisory role in Cambodia's national development and his contributions to the establishment and support of the Saemaul Economic Development Department at Western University. In recognition of these efforts, he became the first foreigner to receive an honorary Doctor of Education degree from Western University, approved by the Cambodian government. President CHOI stated, "With YU's extensive experience and accumulated knowledge in providing education and training on Korea's development process, we will strive to address global community challenges, foster co-growth with the international community, and achieve shared prosperity worldwide." The CSV/ESG Porter Prize, jointly hosted by the Institute for Industrial Policy Studies, The Dong-A Ilbo, and Channel A, was established in 2014 to identify and recognize institutions and companies pioneering the Creating Shared Value (CSV) approach, a rising paradigm in future management. This year marked its 11th iteration.
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Paul Sobba Massaquoi, Sierra Leone Ambassador to Korea, Requests YU’s Expertise in Saemaul Studies Expresses Keen Interest in YU’s Theoretical and Practical Know-How in Saemaul Development Ambassador Paul, “Collaboration with YU Is Vital for Establishing Saemaul Studies and Localizing Saemaul Initiatives” [December 11, 2024] <From left, Paul Sobba Massaquoi, Sierra Leone Ambassador to Korea; CHOI Oe-chool, YU President> On December 9, Paul Sobba Massaquoi, Sierra Leone Ambassador to Korea, visited Yeungnam University (YU) to discuss education cooperation and national development strategies. The visit aimed to explore collaboration with YU for establishing a Saemaul Studies program at a Sierra Leonean university and applying the Saemaul Development model locally. During his meeting with President CHOI Oe-chool, Ambassador Paul stated, “I was deeply inspired by President CHOI’s presentation on YU and Saemaul Studies, which affirmed my vision for national development strategies. We plan to collaborate with Korean universities across education, diplomacy, and culture. I hope to advance this initiative with YU and look forward to signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) soon as a starting point.” President CHOI responded, “The Saemaul Undong (Saemaul Development Policy) has been internationally recognized as a key driver of Korea’s rapid transformation from an aid recipient to a developed nation. Sierra Leone, with its abundant natural resources and growth potential, can greatly benefit from YU’s academic expertise and practical knowledge in Saemaul Studies. We will actively share our accumulated achievements in Saemaul development to support Sierra Leone’s advancement.” Ambassador Paul’s visit is expected to catalyze various initiatives, including the establishment of Saemaul Studies departments, research institutes, and training centers at Sierra Leonean universities. Educational programs tailored for senior government officials and faculty members in Sierra Leone are also anticipated to follow, fostering stronger bilateral cooperation and development.
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First Korean Recipient as a Graduate Student in the Department of Chemical Engineering Awarded for a Paper Published in Applied Surface Science Honoring Young Researchers Recognized for Groundbreaking Research on the Oxidation Mechanism of C2H6 [December 18, 2024] <From left, Professor KIM Min-gyu, Student BAE Da-sol> BAE Da-sol, a graduate student in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Yeungnam University (YU), has been awarded the 2024 Frans Habraken Best Paper Award. This prestigious honor, presented to first or corresponding authors under the age of 30 for exceptional papers published in the SCI-indexed journal Applied Surface Science, marks the first time a Korean researcher has received the award. BAE’s paper, published in Applied Surface Science (ranked in the top 2.4% of journals in its field), investigates the oxidation of C2H6 and the mechanisms of ethylene production. Utilizing density functional theory (DFT) calculations and microkinetic simulations, the study analyzed the oxidation reaction of C2H6 on an IrO2(110) surface, unveiling the complete oxidation mechanism of C2H6. Notably, the research identified critical steps in the ethylene formation process, earning significant attention from the academic community and culminating in this award. The award announcement came last week, with the recipient set to receive €1,000 and a certificate. On receiving the news, BAE expressed gratitude, stating, “I am deeply thankful to my advisor and colleagues who supported me throughout this research. I aim to continue advancing research in catalyst and material design using computational chemistry and machine learning.” Professor KIM Min-gyu, BAE’s advisor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at YU, remarked, “The research on producing high-value-added materials like ethylene from light alkanes has received high recognition from the academic community. This award will serve as a catalyst for further advancing the level of research in our laboratory, as we continue to dedicate ourselves to education and research.”
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Showcasing two-way industry-academia cooperation and collaboration with local communities... Expected to drive social value creation Exhibiting outstanding achievements in joint technology development, prototyping support, field training, and student startup projects Booths featuring demonstrations by digital twin and digital transformation family companies draw enthusiastic responses [December 4, 2024] “2024 YU Industrial-Academic Cooperation Expo” was held to show the achievements of industrial-academic cooperation of YU (President CHOI Oe-chool) at a place. Held on December 3 at the LEE Si-won Convention Hall in YU’s Cheonma Art Center, the Expo was organized by YU’s LINC 3.0 Project Group, supported by the Ministry of Education and the National Research Foundation of Korea. The event aimed to strengthen ties with the local community and foster social value creation by sharing YU's exemplary industry-academic cooperation cases. At the event, good practices of interactive industry-academia cooperation such as ▲ Joint industry-academic technology (knowledge) development tasks, ▲ Industry-academic joint technology (knowledge) commercialization tasks, ▲Prototype production support project, ▲ Industrial proposal CDP (Capstone Design Program), ▲ Excellent sharing and collaboration examples, and ▲Excellent cases of field training and videos of award-winning works were displayed and students presented their ingenious startup ideas were shown through ▲ Startup Competition Finals. In the Joint Industry-Academia Technology (Knowledge) Development Tasks, 20 outstanding initiatives were showcased, including the development of a strain-detecting sensor applicable to autonomous robots and a senior-friendly navigation UX/UI for elderly drivers. The Prototype Production Support Projects highlighted 13 innovative cases, such as the development of a multi-control board for servo drivers and real-time vehicle operation data transmission hardware. In the Capstone Design Program, 10 exceptional projects were presented, including a battery monitoring solution, reliability analysis for lightweight high-strength chassis components for eco-mobility, and research on the manufacturing and property enhancement of conductive polymer copolymers. The Startup Competition Finals featured 20 creative student business ideas, including: "Air Route" - Urban Air Mobility (UAM) safety tunnels "Life Water" - Microplastic filtering bottled water solutions; Interactive Booths by Family Companies. YU’s family companies, including Nearnetworks, Rayworld, AR Media Works, Y Design Lab, YURI, and Dambi, operated demonstration booths. These showcased cutting-edge products and services based on Digital Twin and Digital Transformation (DX) technologies, attracting significant interest from over 2,000 participating students. BAE Cheol-ho, Director of YU's LINC 3.0 Project Group, emphasized the event's significance: “This Expo serves as a platform for industry, academia, and the local community to share visions and trends in two-way cooperation. We hope it creates practical synergies for all stakeholders and establishes a foundation for continued growth linked to future RISE projects.”
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25th DGID Interior Architectural Design Competition attracts over 100 entries from universities nationwide YU Architecture students win 14 awards, including the Grand Prize, showcasing their design excellence Grand Prize: PARK Yeon-woo (4th year, Architectural Design) • Excellence Award: JANG Min-soo (4th year, Architectural Design) [December 3, 2024] <Students from YU’s Department of Architecture awarded at the 25th DGID Interior Architectural Design Competition> Students from Yeungnam University's (President CHOI Oe-chool) Department of Architecture have demonstrated exceptional talent by dominating a prestigious national competition. The 25th DGID Interior Architectural Design Competition, held on October 30, saw over 100 entries from universities across the country. YU students majoring in Architectural Design stood out, winning 14 awards in total, including the Grand Prize awarded to PARK Yeon-woo (4th year, Architectural Design) and the Excellence Award to JANG Min-soo (4th year, Architectural Design). Organized by the Daegu Interior Design Association, this long-standing competition has been a platform for interior architecture students to showcase their creativity and skills for 25 years. This year’s themes included “Green Smart School Interior Space Planning” and a freestyle creative category, encouraging innovative and unique ideas. The Grand Prize-winning project by PARK Yeon-woo, titled “IN THE BASKET,” proposed a new concept of space designed to bring people together—whether for conversation, dining, or rekindling a sense of purpose. The project offered detailed alternatives for furniture, colors, lighting, and finishing materials. PARK’s well-structured spatial program enhanced user experiences and presented intriguing sectional designs. Other award-winning projects included “Sanyuseolim” by Excellence Award recipient JANG Min-soo; “FULL MOON” by Special Selection honoree LEE Jae-min; “Community: Encounters in Daily Life” by KIM Su-min; “Walking Through the Heart: A Path of Growth and Healing” by BAE Eun-jin; and “Our Own Bloom” by KIM Na-young, among others. Professor KIM So-hee, who guided the students, remarked, “This competition allowed our Architectural Design students to showcase their skills and present innovative design solutions for interior spaces. I hope these experiences serve as a solid foundation for their future contributions to the field of interior architectural design.”
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On the 27th, 50 students, faculty, and staff joined the 'YU Happy Dream Volunteer Service' Delivered warmth bags containing fruit lunches and socks to underprivileged neighbors Social Contribution Corps plans to continue regional and global volunteer initiatives [November 28, 2024] Yeungnam University (President CHOI Oe-chool) extended a helping hand to marginalized members of the community through a heartwarming volunteer initiative. On November 27, YU's Social Contribution Corps organized the ‘Happy Dream Volunteer Service: Joyful Fruit Lunchboxes’ event at Lecture Room 111 in the College of Life Applied Sciences. This event, hosted by the Social Contribution Support Team, saw active participation from over 50 volunteers, including students and faculty members. The volunteers meticulously prepared fruit lunchboxes and packed them into warmth bags, which also included Vitamin C supplements and socks. A total of 200 warmth bags were prepared and personally delivered by the volunteers to the homes of underprivileged individuals in the Gyeongsan area, including elderly residents living alone and people with disabilities. Through this activity, YU's volunteers shared warmth and embodied the spirit of giving. Professor KIM Jeong-hun, head of YU’s Social Contribution Corps and a faculty member in the Department of Saemaul International Development, stated, “This activity not only provided small support to our local community but also gave the volunteers an invaluable opportunity to reflect on the importance of sharing. YU’s Social Contribution Corps will continue to develop diverse programs that promote the spirit of volunteerism and mutual growth with the community.” Established in 2022, YU’s Social Contribution Corps is a volunteer organization comprising students and faculty working together. The Corps has been actively involved in various initiatives both on and off-campus, including campus clean-up activities and kimchi-sharing events. Additionally, through regular volunteer programs and overseas volunteer projects, YU provides students with opportunities to cultivate their global citizenship and embrace the values of sharing and service.
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"Become the Leaders Who Drive Korea Forward" YU alumni and new graduates gather to celebrate and support each other Over 250 participants, including alumni mentors and new employees, share strong bonds of camaraderie [November 22, 2024] Prominent alumni of Yeungnam University (President CHOI Oe-chool) gathered at 7 p.m. on November 21 at Samjung Hotel in Seoul. The event aimed to encourage and celebrate YU graduates who recently embarked on their careers in Seoul and the metropolitan area. Hosted by the YU Seoul Alumni Association (President PARK Jung-gwan), the Cheonma Employment Welcome Event has been held annually since 2012 and marked its 11th iteration this year. Unlike typical alumni gatherings, this event stands out as senior alumni—many decades into their careers—come together to celebrate and mentor their newly employed peers. This year’s event attracted over 250 YU alumni, including around 80 new graduates who recently began their professional journeys in the Seoul area. The evening was filled with heartfelt greetings, advice, and encouragement exchanged among attendees. Notable YU alumni, including PARK Jung-gwan (Pharmacy, Class of ’75, Chairman of Withpharm), Representative JOO Ho-young (Law, Class of ’78), and KIM Seok-hoe (CEO of Borim Construction, Architecture, Class of ’75), attended the event. Despite their busy schedules, these distinguished figures in politics, business, law, and culture made time to meet and support the new generation of YU professionals. In his welcome speech, PARK Jung-gwan emphasized, “Today’s event is a platform for senior alumni to encourage younger graduates and strengthen bonds between generations. I hope everyone here becomes a mentor and mentee, engaging in meaningful dialogue. To our newest members of the professional world, take pride in being part of the YU family and strive to become leaders who will shape Korea’s future.” Representing the newly employed alumni, SONG Ye-eun (Sociology, Class of ’19) expressed gratitude, saying, “As I begin my career, being part of this gathering with so many inspiring alumni is incredibly empowering. I’m proud to be a part of the YU community and will look to the paths paved by our senior alumni as I pursue my dreams.” YU was also represented by YOON Jeong-hyeon, Director of the External Cooperation Office, and other university staff.In a congratulatory message conveyed through the Director, President CHOI Oe-chool stated, “I extend heartfelt congratulations to all of you who have secured jobs during these challenging times. I encourage you to continue embracing new challenges in your respective fields. YU’s remarkable achievements today are thanks to the dedication and efforts of senior alumni like you. With the support of your alma mater and mentors, I hope you grow into leaders who contribute to the nation’s progress. YU will also remain committed to nurturing exceptional talent.”
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Over 800 participants, including President CHOI Oe-chool, university officials, faculty, staff, and medical center employees, joined to create cherished campus memories. Strengthening community bonds while walking through campus landmarks like Cheonma Honors Park and the Folk Village. Featuring alumni and club performances, busking, and more festive activities. [November 4, 2024] On November 2, YU hosted the "77th Anniversary Trekking Sports Festival" on the natural grass soccer field at the university's main entrance. The event, organized to commemorate the university’s 77th anniversary, brought together over 800 members of the YU Cheonma family, including faculty, staff, their families, and the YU Medical Center. Participants enjoyed walking around the campus while fostering camaraderie. The event began with an opening address by President CHOI Oe-chool, followed by a warm-up session. Participants embarked on a 4-kilometer trekking course, which took approximately two hours, starting from YU’s soccer field and passing by major campus landmarks such as the Business and Economics Hall, Love Road, and Cheonma Honors Park, as well as the Folk Village and Forest Trails. Along the way, at Cheonma Honors Park, participants were treated to busking performances, photo zones, and treasure-hunting activities organized by faculty and student clubs. Many attendees showed great interest by taking commemorative photos in front of the recently unveiled statue of YU’s founder, Park Chung Hee, which was inaugurated in October. In the afternoon, the festival continued with performances to celebrate the gathering of the Cheonma family. The event began with a traditional Korean music performance, followed by alumni singing performances that heightened the event's festive atmosphere. The day concluded with a lucky draw, providing a platform for unity and celebration among the Cheonma family. President CHOI Oe-chool remarked, “The esteemed reputation of Yeungnam University today owes much to the dedicated efforts of our faculty and staff. I hope this event offers a chance to step away from the pressures of work and create cherished memories with colleagues while exploring our campus. Together, we will continue striving to cultivate talented individuals who contribute to the university’s growth and the shared prosperity of humanity.”
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CHOI Oe-chool, President of YU, signs MOU with the University of Rwanda to share Saemaul Studies. Efforts to localize Saemaul education through the establishment of a Saemaul Research and Training Center. Rwandan Minister of Education nominates five universities to adopt Saemaul Studies for higher education innovation. [November 5, 2024] “Korea’s miracle was made possible by consciousness reform through Saemaul education. President CHOI Oe-chool’s life story itself is a beacon of hope for us. Let us remember this well. Through Saemaul education, we can play a pivotal role in Rwanda’s development, and Rwanda can become a success model for Africa like Korea.” <The University of Rwanda and Yeungnam University signed an MOU on October 17 to share Saemaul education.> This statement by KAYIHURA Muganga Didas, President of the University of Rwanda, resonated after YU President CHOI Oe-chool shared his insights on the Saemaul Undong’s background, principles, achievements, and success factors during his visit to the University of Rwanda on October 17. CHOI also candidly shared his personal growth story and YU's efforts to globally promote Saemaul Undong. <President CHOI Oe-chool delivers a lecture on Saemaul Undong to key officials at the University of Rwanda.> During his lecture, CHOI emphasized, “Rwanda already has a remarkable tradition of community development called ‘Umuganda.’ However, its aspects of consciousness reform and income generation require reinforcement. Saemaul education can complement these areas through the development of local experts,” pledging support for introducing Saemaul education in Rwanda. YU and the University of Rwanda signed an MOU for academic exchange, agreeing to prioritize the establishment of a Saemaul Research and Training Center at the University of Rwanda. This initiative responds to the university's call for specialized research and education for local communities. Additionally, both institutions plan to establish a Saemaul Studies Department to cultivate local experts in the future. <From left: President CHOI Oe-chool of YU and Minister Joshep Nsengimana of Rwanda’s Ministry of Education.> Earlier on the morning of October 17, Rwandan Minister of Education Joshep Nsengimana invited CHOI to the Ministry of Education to deliver a lecture on Saemaul Undong to presidents and vice presidents of five major universities, as well as senior ministry officials. <President CHOI Oe-chool poses for a commemorative photo with high-ranking officials of Rwanda's Ministry of Education.> Minister Nsengimana remarked, “I have seen photos of students studying under trees in post-war Korea, which deeply illustrates the importance of education for national development. As the Minister responsible for higher education innovation and investment, I recognize the critical role of YU’s cooperation in advancing Rwanda’s higher education.” In response, CHOI stated, “Based on the MOU with the Rwandan Ministry of Education in March 2021, YU is committed to fostering Saemaul development talents and sharing Saemaul Studies to contribute to Rwanda’s progress.” He added, “Considering Rwanda’s historical and socio-environmental context, the national adoption of Saemaul spirit and its practices—diligence, self-reliance, cooperation, sharing, service, and creativity—will significantly enhance social integration and development.” Meanwhile, the Rwandan government has implemented “Umuganda,” a community service program legally mandated for all citizens aged 18 to 65 on the last Saturday of each month. This tradition, rooted in voluntary service for the solidarity and welfare of the community, was institutionalized after 1994 to promote social reconstruction and unity as part of Rwanda’s national development policy.
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