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HRD Capacity-Building Program Held for 20 Officials, Including Officials from Uzbekistan’s Agency for Government Efficiency (AGE) Supporting the Development of a Tailored “Action Plan” for Uzbekistan by Combining Korea’s Development Experience with Best Practices in Public- and Private-Sector HRD President CHOI Oe-chool Delivers Special Lecture: “We Will Support Uzbekistan’s Development by Linking Human Resource Development with Korea’s Saemaul Development Experience” [September 15, 2026] <YU President CHOI Oe-chool delivers a special lecture to a training delegation of Uzbek government officials> Yeungnam University (President CHOI Oe-chool) is playing a leading role as a “global education hub,” sharing Korea’s expertise in public-sector human resource development (HRD) and its regional development experience based on Saemaul Development with Uzbekistan. As part of the “Human Resource Management Program Development and Capacity-Building Project for Uzbekistan,” organized by the Korea Institute of Public Administration (KIPA), YU conducted the “Invitation Training Program for Officials Responsible for Operating the Public-Sector HRD Excellent Institution Certification System” over nine days from September 5 to 13. A total of 20 participants took part in the program, including officials from Uzbekistan’s Agency for Government Efficiency (AGE), senior HR officials from the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Agriculture, and Ministry of Construction, which are participating in the pilot operation of the HRD certification system, as well as officials from other relevant government ministries and agencies. The Uzbek government is pursuing organizational restructuring, anti-corruption measures, the advancement of performance management, and the use of AI as key government innovation priorities. In particular, it is promoting the introduction of an HRD certification system for government ministries and agencies to systematically assess and improve the level of civil servant education and training, job competency management, talent development strategies, and organizational performance management. Against this backdrop, the training program was designed to share Korea’s experience in operating its HRD certification system and its public-sector personnel management practices, while strengthening Uzbek government officials’ understanding of the system and their practical implementation capabilities. The training officially began with a welcome ceremony held at YU on September 7. Professor CHOI Oe-chool, President of YU, delivered the first lecture, titled “Korea’s Development Experience and the Saemaul Undong: Regional Innovation through Human Resource Development.” President CHOI explained the principles of Korea’s Saemaul Undong, which brought about change in local communities through civil servant education and leadership, and presented a vision for applying these principles to development strategies for Uzbekistan’s traditional local community, the “Mahalla.” Professor LEE Hee-yong then delivered a practical lecture on “Action Plan Methodology for Establishing and Operating an HRD Certification System,” while Professor HWANG Tae-yoon gave a lecture on “Establishing a Pharmaceutical Industry Cluster in Uzbekistan and HRD Operation Strategies,” receiving an enthusiastic response from the training delegation. The training program went beyond theoretical education, focusing on maximizing participants’ ability to apply what they learned in real-world settings. Beginning with a visit to the Cheongdo Saemaul Undong Birthplace Memorial Park, the delegation visited the Korea Education and Research Information Service (KERIS), National Information Society Agency (NIA), Korea Research Institute for Vocational Education and Training (KRIVET), Ministry of Employment and Labor, and Samsung Human Resources Development Center, among other institutions, to gain broad insights into human resource development and vocational competency development in the public and private sectors, as well as cases of digital regional innovation. Through these visits, the participants directly benchmarked best practices and, with guidance from KIPA and YU faculty members, developed and presented “Action Plans for Establishing and Operating an HRD Certification System” tailored to the circumstances of their respective government ministries and agencies. YU has continued to expand educational and research partnerships with universities and institutions in Uzbekistan. The university has been promoting a 2+2 dual-degree program with Tashkent University of Information Technologies, laying the foundation for cooperation on a joint-degree program with Turin Polytechnic University in Tashkent, and continuing educational and research cooperation with the University of Pharmaceutical Technologies. In particular, the YU Medical Center’s role as the lead consultant for the construction of a clinical trial hospital at Tashkent Pharma Park in Uzbekistan, a project supported by the Export-Import Bank of Korea’s Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF), has attracted considerable attention both in Korea and abroad. The project represents a significant example of how YU’s accumulated achievements in sharing Korea’s development experience with the international community through education and research in Saemaul Studies and international cooperation have been linked with the YU Medical Center’s expertise in global health, expanding into a major international development cooperation project to establish the first integrated bio and pharmaceutical cluster in Central Asia. These international cooperation achievements are underpinned by YU’s extensive experience and infrastructure in international development cooperation education, accumulated over many years through programs for government officials and local leaders from developing countries. The YU Institute of International Development Cooperation (IIDC) has operated a range of short-term training programs for government officials and local leaders from developing countries, covering both the theory and practice of the Saemaul Undong and other related subjects. To date, the programs have produced 3,559 graduates from 56 countries. YU has also focused on cultivating key talent from developing countries through regular degree programs in addition to short-term training. The Park Chung Hee School of Policy and Saemaul (PSPS) offers master’s degree programs based on Saemaul Studies, international development cooperation, and public policy. Since its establishment, a cumulative total of 1,243 students from 81 countries have enrolled and studied at PSPS, including officials affiliated with eight international organizations such as the World Bank and the United Nations World Food Programme (UN WFP). Through these efforts, YU has established an international development cooperation education system spanning short-term training programs to regular degree programs and has continued to expand the development of key talent, including senior government officials, policymakers, and local leaders from developing countries. <YU President CHOI Oe-chool poses with the Uzbek training delegation after his special lecture, wearing a traditional garment presented by the delegation> Mukhsina Khusanova, representative of the training delegation, said, “I would like to express my gratitude to President CHOI Oe-chool for personally taking the initiative in cooperation with Uzbekistan, promoting various projects, and creating many opportunities for Uzbek students. Uzbekistan is looking to Korea’s experience as a priority reference in various projects and fields. If cooperation with YU expands further in the future, it will be of great help to Uzbekistan’s development.” YU President CHOI Oe-chool said, “One of the key driving forces that enabled the Republic of Korea, once a recipient of aid from the international community, to emerge today as a developed country was the spirit of self-help fostered through ‘human resource development’ and the ‘Saemaul Undong.’ I find it deeply meaningful that we can share YU’s advanced educational expertise with the Uzbek government as it pursues public-sector HRD innovation and regional development through the Mahalla.” He added, “YU will continue to share Korea’s development experience with the international community and fulfill its responsibility as a leading university in global contribution by contributing to the sustainable development of developing countries and the shared prosperity of the global community.” Meanwhile, through this project, YU aims to establish a foundation for operating an HRD certification system suited to Uzbekistan’s administrative environment and make a practical contribution to the modernization of personnel and organizational management in Uzbekistan’s public sector and the implementation of national development policies.
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From the Busan Vietnamese Consulate General’s Cooperation Request in May to the September Forum … Government–University–Industry Exchange Bears Fruit Beyond Student Recruitment and Joint Research—Building a Virtuous Cycle of Korean Companies’ Expansion into Vietnam and Employment and Settlement of Vietnamese Talent in Korea Future Industries and Sustainable Development on the Agenda, Including Semiconductors, AI, Quantum Technology, Green Growth, and Smart Agriculture Gyeongsangbuk-do Governor LEE Cheol-woo and Daegu Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman PARK Yun-kyung Express Support for the Forum’s Development [September 9, 2026] <YU President CHOI Oe-chool delivers welcoming remarks at the Korea–Vietnam Knowledge Connect Forum (VKConnect-Daegu 2026)> Yeungnam University (President CHOI Oe-chool) has created a new opportunity to expand its “Saemaul Studies-based educational diplomacy” beyond academic and people-to-people exchanges into industrial and economic cooperation between Korea and Vietnam.The Korea–Vietnam Knowledge Connect Forum (VKConnect-Daegu 2026), jointly hosted by YU and the Consulate General of Vietnam in Busan, is expected to serve as a starting point for a practical Korea–Vietnam cooperation model involving universities, the Vietnamese government, and industry. Held on September 5 at YU’s College of Business Administration under the theme “Innovation in the Digital Era,” the forum brought together approximately 370 participants, including Doan Phuong Lan, Consul General of Vietnam in Busan, Vietnamese researchers and international students in Korea, experts, and other prominent figures from Korea and abroad. In particular, the forum attracted considerable attention even before the event, as PARK Yun-kyung, Chairman of the Daegu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, whose participation was expected to help drive practical economic and industrial exchanges between the two countries, was announced as a special guest. <YU and the Consulate General of Vietnam in Busan jointly host the Korea–Vietnam Knowledge Connect Forum (VKConnect-Daegu 2026)> The forum took concrete shape following a visit to YU in May by Consul General Doan Phuong Lan and officials from the Vietnamese government.At the time, the Consulate General officially proposed practical areas of cooperation to YU President CHOI Oe-chool, including expanding academic and people-to-people exchanges with Vietnam, attracting Vietnamese international students, and jointly hosting an international forum. YU and the Consulate General of Vietnam in Busan subsequently worked closely together to develop the forum’s direction and operational plans, culminating in the Korea–Vietnam Knowledge Connect Forum. The forum featured academic sessions, poster presentations, a forum, and roundtable discussions. The academic sessions, the core program of the forum, were held across eight sessions in four seminar rooms. YU faculty and researchers and their Vietnamese counterparts discussed a wide range of topics related to future industries and sustainable development, including semiconductors, AI, quantum technology, robotics, future mobility, green growth, and smart agriculture. The session “Saemaul Undong, Governance, and Sustainable Development” featured Dr. Nguyen Hoai Thanh, Vice President of the Thai Nguyen School of Politics, along with LEE Jeong-ju, Director of the Park Chung Hee School of Policy and Saemaul and a professor in the Department of International Development and Saemaul Studies at YU, and Professor YOON Sang-yong, who shared development experiences and models of community innovation from the two countries. The “AI and Quantum Technology” session, led by Professor JEONG Jae-hak, Dean of the College of Engineering at YU, and Dr. Nguyen Duy Linh, and the “Robotics and Future Mobility” session, with the participation of Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hai and others, explored research achievements and potential areas for cooperation in advanced technologies. At the accompanying poster session, approximately 50 Vietnamese researchers currently studying in Korea presented their research achievements and engaged in academic exchange. YU and the Consulate General of Vietnam in Busan plan to develop the forum into an annual event and expand it into a government–university–industry cooperation platform involving major Korean companies and regional industries. The two institutions envision using the forum to support Korean companies’ entry into and expansion of their businesses in the Vietnamese market while also establishing a foundation for talented Vietnamese graduates who have developed their expertise at Korean universities to find employment and build stable careers at Korean companies. This is expected to provide Korean companies with opportunities to deepen their understanding of the Vietnamese market and expand their local networks, while offering young Vietnamese people pathways to study in Korea, secure quality employment, and build professional expertise. Furthermore, it is noteworthy that the initiative could create a virtuous cycle in which universities, companies, governments, and relevant institutions in both countries organically connect education and employment with industrial and economic cooperation. <Key guests and award recipients pose for a commemorative photo at the Korea–Vietnam Knowledge Connect Forum (VKConnect-Daegu 2026) held at YU> The forum is significant not merely as a one-time international academic conference, but as an important step in expanding YU’s long-standing Saemaul Studies-based educational diplomacy into an economic cooperation model between the two countries. Based on Saemaul Studies, which systematizes the Saemaul Undong as an academic discipline, YU has worked to promote sustainable development in developing countries and cultivate global talent, while steadily building a foundation for educational, research, and people-to-people exchanges with Vietnam. YU has designated Vietnam as a key partner in its internationalization strategy and has actively promoted international student recruitment and academic exchange. An undergraduate admissions information session recently held for Vietnamese students enrolled in Korean-language training at YU drew approximately 300 participants, demonstrating strong interest. To date, 49 Vietnamese students have studied at the Park Chung Hee School of Policy and Saemaul at YU. These figures demonstrate that YU’s educational programs based on Saemaul Studies and its internationalization capabilities are translating into tangible trust and demand in Vietnam. Gyeongsangbuk-do Governor LEE Cheol-woo, in a congratulatory video message, said, “Korea and Vietnam have not only a strong economic partnership but are also very close in terms of people-to-people and cultural ties. In particular, Gyeongsangbuk-do has maintained a special friendship and cooperative relationship between the two countries by establishing Korea’s only K-Vietnam Valley (Vietnamese Cultural Complex) and sharing the Saemaul Spirit with Vietnam.” He added, “Through the metropolitan visa system, which Gyeongsangbuk-do was the first in the country to propose, we are helping talented Vietnamese people grow and settle in the region. Going forward, we will actively support companies in the province in creating new growth opportunities by partnering with excellent Vietnamese partners, while also helping Vietnamese international students grow into key talents who drive innovation at regional companies.” PARK Yun-kyung, Chairman of the Daegu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said, “Vietnam is a very important partner market where companies in Daegu and Gyeongbuk can seek new avenues for growth. This forum will serve as a starting point for building practical connections between the regional business community and Vietnam, going beyond academic exchange.” He added, “I hope this forum will develop into a leading cooperation platform that supports local companies’ expansion into Vietnam as well as industrial and talent exchanges.” <Doan Phuong Lan, Consul General of Vietnam in Busan, delivers opening remarks at the Korea–Vietnam Knowledge Connect Forum (VKConnect-Daegu 2026)> Doan Phuong Lan, Consul General of Vietnam in Busan, said, “Thanks to our close cooperation with YU, we were able to successfully prepare and hold a highly practical forum. YU’s educational and research capabilities and global network are valuable resources for expanding academic and economic exchanges between the two countries.” She added, “We would like to continue exchanging and cooperating with universities in the Yeongnam region of Korea, including YU, and develop this forum into an event jointly created by the government, universities, and businesses.” She further expressed hope that the forum would become a regular event and develop into an exemplary cooperation model leading to the shared development of Korea and Vietnam. YU President CHOI Oe-chool said, “Today’s event will serve as a practical foundation for economic exchange and shared prosperity between Korea and Vietnam, going beyond an academic conference jointly hosted by YU and the Consulate General of Vietnam in Busan.” He added, “Building on our experience in educational diplomacy accumulated through Saemaul Studies, YU will play an active role in connecting education, research, and university–industry cooperation between the two countries and in bringing government, universities, and industry together to create a sustainable cooperation model for future generations.” He continued, “I hope this forum will provide an opportunity for young people and experts in Korea and Vietnam to further broaden the scope of cooperation based on mutual trust and a spirit of warm solidarity. By pooling our wisdom to address common global challenges, including climate change, I hope we can work together to build a safer and happier world for the international community.” Meanwhile, Vietnam is one of Korea’s key economic partners and one of its three largest trading partners, making it a country with strong demand for expansion by Korean companies and regional industries. Approximately 10,000 Korean companies are known to be operating in Vietnam, and Korea is one of Vietnam’s major sources of investment. According to reports by major media outlets, Daegu and Gyeongbuk’s exports to Vietnam in 2024 ranked Vietnam as the region’s third-largest export market, following China and the United States. Demand among Vietnamese students for studying in Korea is also growing rapidly. The number of Vietnamese international students at higher education institutions in Korea has continued to increase each year. Immigration statistics encompassing various forms of residence and study indicate that the number of Vietnamese international students in Korea exceeded 100,000 as of the end of 2025, highlighting Vietnam’s emergence as a key international cooperation partner for Korean higher education institutions, local communities, and industries.
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New Design Strategy for Enhancing Ferroelectric Performance … Research Papers Published in Leading International Journal of Materials Science Artificial Nanoscale “Morphotropic Phase Boundary” Enhances Ferroelectric Performance Composite Thin Films Fabricated at Room Temperature Show Dramatic Improvements in Dielectric Breakdown Strength and Recoverable Energy Storage Density Expected Applications in High-Power Capacitors, Power Electronics Components, Energy Harvesting Devices, and More [September 9, 2026] <Conceptual Illustration of the Fabrication and Enhanced Energy Storage Properties of Ferroelectric Ceramic Composite Thin Films (AI-Generated Image)> A research team at Yeungnam University (President CHOI Oe-chool) has proposed a new design principle for enhancing the performance of ferroelectric materials that can be used in electronic devices and next-generation energy storage systems. The team successfully reproduced, using nanoscale microstructures, the excellent properties observed in ferroelectric materials with specific compositions. Building on this design principle, the researchers subsequently developed thin-film materials with significantly enhanced actual energy storage performance. More than 70% of the components used in electronic devices are made of ceramic materials. In particular, many electronic components are made of ferroelectric ceramics, whose electric polarization changes in response to electrical stimulation. Ferroelectric materials exhibit a change in the direction of electric polarization within the material when an electric field is applied, with some of that polarization remaining even after the electric field is removed. Because of these properties, ferroelectric materials are widely used in a variety of electronic and electrical devices, including capacitors, sensors, ultrasonic transducers, actuators, and energy harvesters. Put simply, ferroelectric materials are smart materials well suited for storing electrical energy, converting electrical signals into mechanical motion, and conversely converting pressure or vibration into electrical signals. A research team led by Professor RYU Jeong-ho of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at YU has drawn considerable attention from the academic community by publishing two research papers in succession in the internationally renowned journal *Advanced Functional Materials* (Impact Factor 19.9, ranking in the top 4% in materials science), presenting new possibilities for the design of ferroelectric materials. In the first paper, published in April, the research team successfully created an artificial effect similar to the Morphotropic Phase Boundary (MPB), which has long been regarded as a key factor in enhancing the performance of conventional ferroelectric materials. The team achieved this by densely mixing different ferroelectric and antiferroelectric materials at the nanoscale at room temperature. The researchers describe this as an “artificial Morphotropic Phase Boundary (aMPB).” The approach enhances electrical responsiveness by engineering extremely small boundaries within the material, suggesting that the concept of the “Morphotropic Phase Boundary,” which has traditionally been limited to composition ranges in solid solutions in ferroelectric research, can be extended to a wider variety of material combinations. In a follow-up study, the research team developed this design principle into an actual energy storage material. The second paper was published in the same journal in June. In both papers, Dr. SONG Hyeon-seok, a graduate of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the YU Graduate School, participated as the first author. The researchers fabricated a multiphase nanocluster thin film using barium titanate (BaTiO₃), lead zirconate (PbZrO₃), and lead titanate (PbTiO₃). The thin film achieved a dielectric breakdown strength of 5.8 megavolts per centimeter (MV/cm) and a recoverable energy storage density of 68.6 J/cm³. These values represent approximately a threefold improvement over those of the single-phase thin film used for comparison. The researchers also confirmed its durability and thermal stability. After 100 million charge–discharge cycles, the thin film showed only minor performance degradation and maintained stable energy storage characteristics at temperatures of up to 140°C. These results indicate that charge becomes trapped at the interfaces where different types of nanocrystals meet, reducing current leakage and suppressing sudden material damage caused by the concentration of electricity in one area. In fact, the thin film exhibited extremely low leakage current even under a high electric field, demonstrating its potential for more stable operation in high-voltage environments. The significance of this research lies particularly in the way the two stages of the study are interconnected. While the first study proposed a new academic concept demonstrating that the excellent performance of ferroelectrics can be reproduced through artificial nanostructures, the second study developed this concept into a high-performance energy storage thin film, demonstrating its technological potential. Rather than simply improving the performance of a single material, the research presents a new direction in materials design: entirely new functions can be created by determining how different ferroelectric and antiferroelectric materials are combined and how the interfaces between them are engineered. Professor RYU Jeong-ho said, “This improvement in performance is related to the effect of suppressing charge transport at the boundaries of nanoscale ceramic grains.” He emphasized, “This research is significant in that it demonstrates that the excellent performance of ferroelectric materials can be reproduced through artificial nanostructures while also connecting this approach to high-performance energy storage devices. The technology is expected to find applications in high-power capacitors, power electronics components, sensors, actuators, energy harvesting devices, and other areas.” The research was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea’s Mid-Career Researcher Program and the Nano and Future Materials Original Technology Development Program. The study was led by the laboratories of Professor RYU Jeong-ho at YU and Professor JEONG Dae-yong at Inha University, with international collaborators from Pennsylvania State University and Michigan Technological University in the United States and the University of Science and Technology Beijing in China, among others. The findings are expected to have significant academic and industrial impact by offering a new interpretation of the Morphotropic Phase Boundary concept, which has long been an important subject in ferroelectric research, and connecting it to practical high-performance energy storage technology.
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YU Central Student Club Association Holds ‘Central Student Club Fair’ on Campus Sept. 9–10 Promoting Student Clubs and Recruiting New Members from Freshmen and Current Students 60 Student Clubs across Eight Categories, Including Arts, Community Service, and Sports, Join the Fair Along with Student Ambassadors ‘Yeongdae Sarang’ and Campus Broadcasting Station ‘UBS’ [September 10, 2026] <2026 Fall Semester YU Central Student Club Fair> “Join a Club and Make Fun Campus Memories!” With the start of the 2026 fall semester, the YU campus came alive with renewed energy. The YU Central Student Club Association held the “2026 Fall Semester Central Student Club Fair” for two days, from September 9 to 10, along Cheonma-ro from the main gate to the open-air auditorium. The club fair is an event where senior members of existing student clubs introduce freshmen and current students to their clubs’ characteristics and activities while recruiting new members. This year’s fair featured 60 student clubs affiliated with YU’s central student club association across eight categories: liberal arts, sports, community service, academic studies, foreign languages, applied academic studies, arts, and religion. The clubs actively promoted their activities and recruited new members. On September 11, the day following the fair, an Open Club Room event will also be held, giving freshmen an opportunity to visit the club rooms in person. In addition, during the fair, senior members of student clubs performed busking shows, including performances by band, acoustic guitar, and dance clubs, as well as the Cheonma Cheerleading Squad, adding to the festive atmosphere. Meanwhile, during the club fair, major campus organizations and groups that attract considerable interest and are frequently used by students also operated promotional booths. These included the Student Support Team, student ambassadors “Yeongdae Sarang,” international student ambassadors, YU Broadcasting Station (UBS), and the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC), which introduced their respective organizations and promoted their programs and activities.
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El Salvador’s Ambassador to Korea Meets CHOI Oe-chool to Discuss Educational Cooperation and Student Exchanges El Salvador Government–YU Partnership on the Agenda … “I Will Serve as a Bridge for Cooperation Between El Salvador and YU” Proposal for a Human Resource Development Model Centered on the Park Chung Hee School of Policy and Saemaul … Expectations Rise for Expanding YU’s Global Network in Central America [September 2, 2026] YU’s long-standing commitment to developing human resources for the advancement of developing countries—an approach often described as “educational diplomacy”—is gaining further momentum. This time, El Salvador’s Ambassador to Korea, representing the Central American nation, visited YU to discuss ways to share Korea’s development experience based on Saemaul Development and to promote educational cooperation between the two countries. The visit demonstrates that YU’s global educational cooperation, built around sharing Korea’s development experience, is expanding across Latin America as its Saemaul Development-based regional development and human resource development programs have gained recognition in developing countries in the region, including Nicaragua. Recently, H.E. Federico Miguel Guerrero Avendaño, Ambassador of El Salvador to Korea, visited YU after taking particular interest in the university’s extensive experience in developing human resources for developing countries through the Park Chung Hee School of Policy and Saemaul (PSPS). During his visit, he held discussions on concrete avenues for cooperation among the Government of El Salvador, local universities, and YU. During the meeting, President CHOI Oe-chool introduced YU’s support systems and scholarship programs for international students and exchanged views on practical cooperation models, including study-abroad and scholarship opportunities that would enable young people from El Salvador to pursue their studies at YU. In particular, the Ambassador explained in detail the background to his request to visit and meet with President CHOI. He directly proposed establishing an agreement between the Government of El Salvador and YU to enable outstanding students from El Salvador to pursue master’s degrees at PSPS, and requested the meeting to discuss concrete ways to put this proposal into practice. He also proposed gradually establishing a cooperation framework between universities in the two countries by expanding academic and student exchanges between universities in El Salvador and YU and operating joint educational programs. YU has systematically documented the experiences and practices of the Saemaul Undong and established and developed Saemaul Studies as an academic discipline. To academically research and teach Korea’s development experience and the practical principles of the Saemaul Undong, while cultivating leaders capable of driving innovation at the regional and national levels, YU established PSPS in 2011. Since its establishment, PSPS has cultivated 1,245 international development professionals specializing in Saemaul Development, including public officials and young leaders from 81 countries worldwide, as well as officials affiliated with eight international organizations, including the World Bank and the United Nations World Food Programme (UN WFP). Meanwhile, President CHOI Oe-chool recently delivered a special lecture at the invitation of the African Group of Ambassadors (AGA), where he shared Korea’s development experience and YU’s educational and research achievements in Saemaul Studies with ambassadors and diplomats from 20 African countries, further broadening common ground for international development cooperation. The lecture was also arranged at the direct request of African ambassadors in Korea who had taken a keen interest in YU’s Saemaul Studies and its model for sharing Korea’s development experience and invited President CHOI, who has systematically developed the content of the Saemaul Undong into the academic discipline of Saemaul Studies, to deliver the lecture. Ambassador Federico Miguel Guerrero Avendaño said, “I am deeply impressed by YU’s educational philosophy and the achievements of its global network connecting countries around the world,” adding, “I hope that students from El Salvador will also be given valuable opportunities to learn and grow at YU.” He continued, “I look forward to seeing El Salvador become part of YU’s international cooperation network next year and working together toward mutual development,” adding, “The Embassy will also maintain close communication with YU to ensure that opportunities for educational cooperation can translate into tangible opportunities for young people in El Salvador.” He also emphasized, “El Salvador has made significant progress in recent years, and human resource development is now one of the country’s key development priorities. In this regard, the Saemaul Undong model is aligned with the current government’s policy direction.” He further stressed, “I will actively serve as a bridge to help realize multifaceted partnerships, including agreements and exchanges among YU, government ministries and agencies in El Salvador, and universities.” President CHOI Oe-chool said, “Through Saemaul Studies and international development cooperation education, YU has consistently shared its educational resources to help young people from developing countries grow into practical leaders capable of driving development in their home countries.” He added, “Based on cooperation with the Government of El Salvador, I hope we can jointly establish a framework that enables outstanding students to complete master’s programs at PSPS while expanding exchanges with local universities across a broad range of academic fields.” He continued, “Korea’s development experience is not simply a success story belonging to one particular country, but a shared asset that can be creatively adapted to the circumstances and needs of each country.” He added, “YU will provide all possible support, not only in education but also in international development cooperation, so that young people from El Salvador can build their expertise at YU and contribute to sustainable development and community innovation in their home country.” YU plans to use this meeting as an opportunity to maintain close communication with the Embassy of El Salvador in Korea and further develop specific areas of cooperation with the Government of El Salvador and local universities. Through these efforts, YU aims to expand its Saemaul-based international development cooperation network into Central America and further strengthen its role as a university contributing to global shared prosperity.
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Four Years of the “Global Future Talent Development Project” Led by YU with Support from Gyeongsan City—A Model of Government–University Collaboration Seven-University Student Volunteer Corps Deployed Overseas—Building Global Citizenship through Education, Culture, and Environmental Service in Mongolia Results Shared at August 6 Closing Ceremony—“We Will Continue to Put the Values of Sharing and Solidarity into Practice as Global Citizens” [August 27, 2026] <Seven-University Student Overseas Volunteer Corps from Gyeongsan, Including YU, Deployed to Mongolia> 22 students from seven universities in Gyeongsan, Gyeongsangbuk-do, successfully completed education, cultural, and environmental volunteer activities in Mongolia during their summer vacation and returned home having grown into more capable global talents.The project, through which the local government and universities joined forces to provide young people with opportunities to gain firsthand international experience and practice public diplomacy, is drawing attention as a model for cultivating global talent through government–university collaboration. As part of the 2026 Global Future Talent Development Project jointly promoted by Yeungnam University (President CHOI Oe-chool) and Gyeongsan City (Mayor CHO Hyun-il), 22 university students selected from seven universities in Gyeongsan were dispatched to Ulaanbaatar and the Terelj National Park area in Mongolia for 10 nights and 11 days from July 14 to 24 to participate in overseas volunteer activities. Now in its fourth year, the Global Future Talent Development Project is a flagship youth global competency-building program in the region, supported by Gyeongsan City and led by YU. Before departure, the participating students broadened their understanding of local communities and public diplomacy through preparatory training. They then put the values of sharing, communication, and sustainability into practice in the field overseas, strengthening their capabilities as global citizens. <Activities of the Seven-University Student Overseas Volunteer Corps from Gyeongsan, Including YU, in Mongolia> The volunteer corps worked with students from the National University of Mongolia to visit Secondary School No. 23 and Erdem Childcare Center in Ulaanbaatar, where they conducted educational and experiential programs introducing the Korean language and Korean culture. Rather than simply providing one-time cultural experiences, the volunteers designed programs that encouraged children to participate and communicate directly, thereby increasing their familiarity with and interest in Korean culture. During an exchange session with students from the Department of Korean Language at the National University of Mongolia, the volunteers provided Korean-language instruction and performed K-pop songs, broadening cultural understanding among young people from the two countries. Although their languages and cultures were different, the participants learned, laughed, and interacted together, gaining a deeper understanding of each other’s daily lives and cultures and building friendships that transcended national borders. A student representative of the overseas volunteer corps, Lee Jeong-chan, a sophomore in the Department of Robotics Engineering at YU, said, “At first, I was worried about the unfamiliar environment and language, but while spending time with the children, I deeply realized that sincerity can be conveyed beyond language. It was a truly meaningful experience because our small acts of sharing brought joy to our local friends, while we ourselves were able to better understand the wider world and grow through the process.” He added, “This activity gave me an opportunity to think about what responsibilities and roles I should take on as a global citizen, and I will continue to put the values of sharing and solidarity that I learned into practice.” The volunteer corps also contributed to ecological restoration and carbon neutrality by planting trees and conducting environmental cleanup activities at Terelj National Park. The students collected litter and planted trees, experiencing firsthand the importance of environmental conservation while reflecting on the need to address the climate crisis through global solidarity and collective action. <Plogging Activity at Terelj National Park> In particular, the Mongolia volunteer program, which was held for the second consecutive year following last year’s program, is establishing itself as a sustainable model of international exchange encompassing education, culture, and the environment, with enthusiastic support from both local communities and participants. The students lived and worked alongside local residents, reflecting on the meaning of volunteer service. The program also demonstrated high participant satisfaction and strengthened their commitment to contributing to the international community in the future. Gyeongsan Mayor CHO Hyun-il said, “The warm-hearted spirit of the students who practiced the values of sharing and communication in Mongolia will have made a meaningful impact on the local community. I hope this experience will give them the courage to venture into the wider world and serve as a foundation for sharing the spirit of Gyeongsan’s young people around the world.” He added, “Gyeongsan City will continue to work closely with local universities and provide full support so that young people can experience diverse international settings and develop the capabilities to lead the future. We will also continue to pursue practical policies that expand opportunities for local university students to strengthen their global competencies and grow.” YU President CHOI Oe-chool said, “This overseas volunteer program will have been a valuable opportunity for the students to experience different cultures and ways of life firsthand while cultivating a sense of community and responsibility as global citizens. I am deeply grateful to Gyeongsan City for providing this meaningful opportunity.” He added, “The experience of young people from the region participating together in addressing educational, cultural, and environmental issues in an international setting is closely aligned with YU’s vision of ‘cultivating talents who contribute to the prosperity of humanity.’ We will continue to support a wide range of international exchange and community service programs so that our students can grow into talents equipped with a broad global perspective and the capacity to put their ideas into practice.” Meanwhile, the overseas volunteer corps held a performance-sharing session and closing ceremony on August 6 at the Lee Si-won Global Convention Hall of YU’s Cheonma Art Center, looking back on their 10-night, 11-day activities. The event was attended by YU President CHOI Oe-chool, Gyeongsan Mayor CHO Hyun-il, officials from Gyeongsan City and the YU Community Service Corps, and student members of the overseas volunteer corps. At the closing ceremony, certificates of overseas volunteer service were presented to the participating students, outstanding volunteers were recognized, and the program’s significance was revisited through presentations by student representatives on their experiences and a sharing of the project’s achievements. Gyeongsan City and YU plan to further expand various collaborative projects that provide young people with opportunities to challenge themselves and grow on the global stage, based on solidarity among local universities.
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Appointed Editor-in-Chief of Water Research, One of the World’s Leading Journals in Water and Environmental Science Recognized for Interdisciplinary Research Expertise Spanning Water Quality Modeling, AI, Digital Twins, and AI Semiconductors Begins Editorial Leadership in August 2026—Expected to Elevate the Global Standing of Korea’s Water and Environmental Research [August 27, 2026] <YU Professor BAEK Sang-soo, Department of Environmental Engineering> BAEK Sang-soo, a professor in the Department of Environmental Engineering at Yeungnam University (President CHOI Oe-chool), has been appointed Editor-in-Chief of Water Research, a world-renowned journal in the field of water and environmental science. Professor BAEK will serve as Editor-in-Chief for one year, from August 2026 to August 2027, with the possibility of reappointment following an evaluation. In this role, he will assess the academic value and originality of research papers submitted to Water Research and work with international experts to oversee the peer-review and publication decisions, thereby helping maintain the journal’s research quality. If reappointed, he may serve as Editor-in-Chief for up to 10 years. Founded in 1967, Water Research is a flagship journal of the International Water Association (IWA) and is published by Elsevier, a leading global academic publisher.It is one of the world’s top international journals in the field of water, covering a broad range of topics including water quality, water treatment, water resources, aquatic ecology, and water-environment technologies. According to the Journal Citation Reports (JCR), it ranks within the top 2% of journals in its field and has an Impact Factor of 12.8. Since joining the Department of Environmental Engineering at YU in 2022, Professor BAEK has actively conducted interdisciplinary research integrating advanced digital technologies with water quality and water-environment science.His major research areas include Water Quality Modeling, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Digital Twins. More recently, he has expanded his research into the convergence of environmental engineering and semiconductor technologies, linking AI semiconductors with next-generation environmental and water-quality management technologies. In particular, he focuses on developing technologies that can proactively address climate change, water pollution, harmful algal blooms, flooding, and other water-environment challenges by using numerical models and AI to predict water quality and environmental phenomena and by implementing real-world environmental systems in virtual spaces through Digital Twin technologies. He is also pioneering new interdisciplinary research fields by applying AI semiconductor and neuromorphic technologies to environmental science and engineering, among other areas. Based on these research achievements, Professor BAEK was selected in 2025 as one of the “World’s Top 2% Scientists” by Stanford University, based on Elsevier’s Scopus data, in recognition of his international research competitiveness. He is also actively engaged in academic and educational activities. He currently serves as a secretary of the Editorial Board and Academic Committee of the Korean Society on Water Environment, contributing to academic activities and research exchange in Korea’s water-environment field. As head of the Department of Environmental Engineering at YU, he is also working to strengthen the department’s educational and research competitiveness and cultivate future environmental professionals. The Department of Environmental Engineering at YU is actively expanding interdisciplinary education and research that combines its traditional environmental engineering curriculum with advanced technologies such as AI, Digital Twins, and semiconductors. In particular, the department participates in the Eco-Up Project under the Ministry of Education’s Convergence and Open Sharing System (COSS) to cultivate interdisciplinary talent who will lead the future environmental industry. It is also participating in HuStar, a regional talent development initiative in Daegu and Gyeongbuk, to strengthen the development of environmental professionals in close connection with industry. Professor BAEK said, “I am deeply honored to serve as Editor-in-Chief of Water Research, a journal with tremendous global influence. I will actively engage with researchers around the world and work to ensure that outstanding research in the water-environment field gains greater international visibility.” He added, “I also hope to pioneer new areas of research through the convergence of environmental engineering with advanced technologies such as AI and Digital Twins and contribute to enhancing the international competitiveness of water-environment research in Korea.” The appointment is significant not only as recognition of Professor BAEK’s individual research achievements but also as international recognition of the interdisciplinary research capabilities that the Department of Environmental Engineering at YU has developed by combining environmental engineering with AI, Digital Twin technologies, and other advanced technologies. It is expected to contribute to expanding YU’s international academic network and further strengthening its competitiveness in water-environment research and advanced environmental convergence research.
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“2026 GUA Summer Conference” Successfully Held—Government and Universities Explore Joint Development Strategies for Regional Higher Education Building a Barrier-Free System for Sharing Educational Resources among Universities … Advancing Hyper-Personalized Learning Powered by Generative AI and Big Data [August 28, 2026] YU’s GUA Initiative (GUA = Gyeongsangbuk-do University Alliance) has successfully concluded the “2026 GUA Summer Conference,” aimed at promoting the shared development of universities in the Gyeongbuk region and fostering an ecosystem of educational innovation. The three-day event, held from August 10 (Monday) to 12 (Wednesday) at the Grande Hall of Andong Grand Hotel, brought together approximately 60 officials from Gyeongsangbuk-do and universities across the Gyeongbuk region for in-depth discussions on new ways to advance regional higher education. Held under the theme “Tomorrow’s Universities Transformed by Technology: From the AI Learning Revolution to Advanced EdTech,” the conference focused on expanding the GUA initiative ecosystem centered on the Gyeongsangbuk-do Anchor Project’s MEGAversity Alliance and promoting the shared development of universities across the Gyeongbuk region. In particular, participants examined the broader alliance ecosystem encompassing both four-year universities and junior colleges in Gyeongsangbuk-do and explored diverse strategies for establishing a higher education resource-sharing system without barriers between universities. The conference opened with welcoming remarks by MOON Sang-hyuk, Head of the GUA Initiative, followed by congratulatory remarks from YU President CHOI Oe-chool and LEE Sang-su, Director-General of the Local Government Strategy Bureau of Gyeongsangbuk-do, adding significance to the event. The keynote lectures and special sessions that followed featured a range of expert insights into the future of regional talent development and AI-powered campuses. First, LEE Dong-jin, Team Leader of the University and Youth Division of Gyeongsangbuk-do, delivered a keynote lecture titled “Directions for Operating the Gyeongsangbuk-do Regional Growth Talent Development System (Anchor Project),” providing an in-depth discussion of strategies for cultivating talent capable of driving regional growth and key operational strategies for the Anchor Project. JEONG Je-young, President of the Korea Education and Research Information Service (KERIS), addressed “Educational Innovation at Universities for the AI Learning Revolution,” presenting directions for transformative changes in higher education in response to the age of artificial intelligence. In addition, JO Hye-min, Gemini Adoption Lead at Google Korea, gave a special lecture titled “The Future of Campus Proposed by Google: From Learning in the Classroom to Discovery in the Laboratory,” offering a vivid look at the future campus and the concrete ways in which advanced EdTech technologies can be applied. In particular, MOON Sang-hyuk, Head of the GUA Initiative, delivered a keynote lecture titled “The MEGAversity Alliance: Directions for the Development of the GUA Initiative and Key Achievements.” He emphasized the initiative’s future direction, saying, “This conference is an important occasion for expanding the RISE MEGAversity Alliance GUA ecosystem and promoting the shared development of universities.” He added, “We will actively explore strategies for solidarity and resource efficiency that will enable all universities in the region to achieve shared growth by establishing a higher education resource-sharing system without barriers between universities, preventing redundant investment in educational resources by individual universities.” Meanwhile, YU’s GUA Initiative plans to use this conference as a starting point for introducing teaching methods powered by Generative AI and Big Data into educational settings, supporting students’ hyper-personalized learning (Adaptive Learning) and improving actual educational achievement.
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Degree Recipients Honored at Cheonma Art Center Grand Hall on August 21, with Graduate Representatives in Attendance 150 Doctoral, 379 Master’s, and 817 Bachelor’s Degrees Awarded Across Colleges and Graduate Schools YU Foundation Chair and Alumni Association President Join Ceremony to Offer Congratulations and Encouragement [August 21, 2026] YU (President CHOI Oe-chool) held its commencement ceremony for the second semester of the 2025 academic year on August 21. The ceremony, held at the Grand Hall of YU’s Cheonma Art Center, was attended by all doctoral degree recipients from the Graduate School. President CHOI Oe-chool and Graduate School Dean SHIN Seung-hoon personally presented the graduates with their degrees and offered their congratulations. Individual commencement ceremonies were also held by YU’s colleges and graduate schools, including the Graduate School of Business and Public Administration, Graduate School of Environment and Public Health, Graduate School of Culture, Arts and Design, Graduate School of Education, Graduate School of Engineering, and Park Chung Hee School of Policy and Saemaul (PSPS). A total of 817 bachelor’s, 379 master’s, and 150 doctoral degrees were awarded at YU. Among the graduates were 347 international students, including 105 bachelor’s, 157 master’s, and 85 doctoral degree recipients. Following the commencement ceremony, the international graduates gathered at the Center for International Affairs for a farewell meeting to mark the conclusion of their studies and life at YU. <International graduates gather at the Center for International Affairs for a farewell meeting following the commencement ceremony> In her congratulatory address, HAN Jae-sook, Chair of the Yeungnam School Corporation, said, “Graduates, after years of rigorous inquiry and reflection in your respective fields of study, you have finally reached this moment today. The knowledge and experience you have accumulated throughout this journey will become a valuable asset that goes beyond academic achievement and helps illuminate the future of our society and humanity.” She continued, “You are now standing at a new starting point, ready to face a new world. Do not be afraid of failure, never lose your willingness to learn, and continue striving as global leaders who contribute to humanity as individuals of the highest intellectual caliber. I hope you will use the academic achievements and spirit of challenge you have cultivated at YU to create positive change in society wherever you may be.” JUNG Tae-il, President of the YU Alumni Association, also offered his congratulations, saying, “Those of you standing here today are YU’s proud alumni, its greatest source of pride, and its future. You are now leaving behind the campus that has become so dear to you and taking your first proud steps as talents who will lead our society and as leaders who will shape the global stage.” He added, “I am confident that the profound insight and professional expertise you have gained at YU will provide you with the wisdom and strength to overcome any challenges and difficulties you may encounter in the future.” He continued, “The Alumni Association will always stand with you as a steadfast companion and source of support. I hope you, too, will carry your pride in YU deep in your hearts and work together for the continued development of your alma mater and the Alumni Association, centered around our community of 290,000 alumni.” <From left: President CHOI Oe-chool, HAN Jae-sook, Chair of the Yeungnam School Corporation, and JUNG Tae-il, President of the YU Alumni Association> In his commencement address, President CHOI Oe-chool said, “The degree you hold in your hands today is a valuable culmination of your passion and hard work, as well as a meaningful symbol of your journey into the world. I offer my heartfelt congratulations and support as you take your first confident steps into the world with the pride of being a member of YU.” He continued, “The year 2026, in which we stand together today, marks an era of unprecedented transformation, as artificial intelligence and advanced technologies are fundamentally reshaping every aspect of our lives and industries. Amid this rapidly changing environment, I hope you will develop the insight to understand the times and become ‘lifelong learners’ and ‘wise creators’—true Cheonma people who continually refine and develop themselves.” He went on to say, “For 79 years, YU has nurtured talented individuals who contribute to Korea and humanity, grounded in the founding spirit of President Park Chung-hee. As we look ahead to our 80th anniversary in 2027, YU is taking a further leap forward as a prestigious university on the global stage.” Finally, he emphasized, “You, our graduates, are the very people YU has sought to cultivate—‘talented individuals with warm hearts who contribute to humanity.’ I hope you will boldly embrace the changes brought about by the AI era as opportunities, take on challenges with courage, and go on to become leaders who contribute to solving the challenges facing our global community.”
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Professor CHOI Dae-hee of Environmental Engineering Develops Breakthrough Technology for Treating Reverse Osmosis Concentrate Two-Year Joint Research on an Energy-Efficient Concentrate Treatment Process Bears Fruit, with Demonstration and Performance Verification Completed Ahead of Schedule Combining University Research Expertise with Industry Know-How to Help Build a Sustainable Water Circulation Ecosystem [August 19, 2026] <Technology Transfer Agreement Signing Ceremony for “Reverse Osmosis (RO) Concentrate Treatment Technology” between YU and Coway Entech Co., Ltd.> (From sixth from left: YU President CHOI Oe-chool, Industry-Academia Cooperation Foundation Director KIM Jae-hong, Coway Entech CEO BANG Yun-hyeok; third from right: Professor CHOI Dae-hee of the Department of Environmental Engineering, YU, inventor of the technology) YU has achieved a significant industry-academia cooperation milestone by transferring reverse osmosis (RO) concentrate treatment technology, considered one of the major challenges in water reuse, to Coway Entech Co., Ltd., a company specializing in water treatment. The technology transfer will help bring YU’s outstanding research achievements into industrial applications. The two organizations will also move forward with the commercialization of an energy-efficient process developed through joint research, with the aim of establishing a sustainable water circulation system and strengthening the competitiveness of the environmental industry. On August 12, YU held a signing ceremony with Coway Entech for the transfer of the “Reverse Osmosis (RO) Concentrate Treatment Technology,” laying the foundation for further technology commercialization and expanded industry-academia cooperation. President CHOI Oe-chool of YU, CEO BANG Yun-hyeok of Coway Entech, and other representatives from both organizations attended the ceremony, where they signed the technology transfer agreement and discussed plans to expand joint research and technical exchanges going forward. Coway Entech is the water treatment subsidiary of Coway, a Best Life Solution company led by CEO SEO Jang-won. The company operates a range of environmental engineering businesses, including industrial plant water treatment, municipal wastewater treatment and reuse, water purification, and industrial wastewater treatment. The technology transferred this time is a “Wastewater Treatment Method Using Microorganisms,” jointly developed by Professor CHOI Dae-hee of YU’s Department of Environmental Engineering and Coway Entech.The technology is a core technology for treating RO concentrate generated in wastewater reuse processes through a microorganism-based process, and includes intellectual property rights in Korea as well as overseas rights in the United States, Europe, Saudi Arabia, and other countries. RO concentrate is a high-nitrogen wastewater stream generated during wastewater reuse processes. Its high treatment costs and process-related burdens have been identified as major obstacles to the wider adoption of water reuse. Since 2024, YU and Coway Entech have conducted joint research on the “Development of an Energy-Efficient Process for Treating Concentrate in Reuse Plants.” Although the research was originally planned for a total of three years, the two organizations completed demonstration and performance verification after just two years from the start of the project. In particular,the development of a microorganism-based process that reduces the cost burden of conventional treatment methods while improving economic feasibility has opened up the possibility of treating concentrate on-site within water reuse facilities. This technology transfer represents a successful case in which fundamental research achievements from a university have been connected to real-world industrial applications and commercialization. It is also expected to contribute to improving the profitability of water reuse projects and promoting growth in related industries. BANG Yun-hyeok, CEO of Coway Entech, said, “Concentrate treatment has been the final link in the water reuse process and a longstanding challenge that needed to be addressed. We expect that securing this technology will help advance the circular structure of water use in Korea and contribute to expanding water reuse.” President CHOI Oe-chool said, “This technology transfer is a meaningful example of industry-academia cooperation in which YU’s outstanding research achievements have been transferred to a company and connected to innovation and technology commercialization in the field. In particular, Professor CHOI Dae-hee of the Department of Environmental Engineering is a YU alumnus who joined the university as a professor in 2024 and has achieved remarkable results in a very short period of time. We are very proud of him. Going forward, YU will continue to take the lead in supporting technology development that can make a tangible contribution to society through active technical exchanges and joint research with companies.” He added, “YU will do its utmost to support our faculty members and researchers by helping companies achieve innovative growth and further strengthening the industry-academia cooperation ecosystem, so that the university’s research capabilities can contribute to the development of the local community, industries, and the nation.” Through this agreement, YU plans to further strengthen the connection between its environmental research capabilities and industrial applications while expanding joint research and technology commercialization based on industry needs. The university aims to establish a practical model of industry-academia cooperation that combines researchers’ expertise with companies’ commercialization capabilities to help address major challenges facing society.
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