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Eighth class for law school ranked second following Seoul National University Passing rate since opening the law school 87.78%, first among non-Seoul universities Master’s degree rate compared to total admitted students first in the nation... Proven to foster high quality lawyers [May 21, 2019] YU (President Sur Gil-soo) once again proved that it is a cradle for fostering lawyers by ranking second place for passing rates compared to the admitted students for the 8th class following only Seoul National University. The Ministry of Justice announced the passers of the 8th Bar Exam on May 1. According to this, a total of 3,330 people applied and 1,691 people passed the exam for a passing rate of 50.78%. Upon analyzing the ‘passing rate compared to actual admitted students for each grade’, which is recognized as the most objective standard in the jurisprudence, legal circles, and test-takers, in the 8th exam passing rate, Seoul National University recorded 75.97% followed by the YU Law School at 70.00%, proving that YU has become established as a prestigious law school of Korea by placing second place. In addition, YU took first place among non-Seoul universities for the cumulative passing rate for the 1st to 8th bar exams at 87.78%. It was confirmed that since the opening of the law school, it continued to maintain high passing rates. Also, according to the data provided by the Ministry of Justice, the YU Law School took first place in the nation for the rate of earning master’s degrees compared to actually admitted students at 93.59% (577 total students admitted / 540 earned degrees). This demonstrates that YU not only made the achievement of fostering lawyers by passing bar exams, but also in cultivating human resources specializing in jurisprudence through the substantiality of law school education. In the case of passing rate compared to total test-takers in the 8th bar exam, YU, Seoul National University, Korea University, Yonsei University, Sungkyunkwan University, Sogang University, Kyunghee University, Ewha Womans University, Hanyang University, and the Hankuk University of Foreign Studies were placed in the national top 10 in passing rates. YU Law School is the only school located outside of Seoul among the top 10 universities. Among non-Seoul universities, YU Law School took first place (61.17%), followed by Pusan National University (49.12%) at second place and Kyungpook National University (45.45%) at third place. The secret to the success of the YU Law School is in the student-oriented operation principles such as education, research administration services, etc. The academic growth and student guidance program accumulated since the opening of the law school has become an unrivaled program incomparable to that of other law schools. To be more detailed, advisors offer comments on the results of practice tests taken by students and hold group studies or individual lessons with students two to three times a week to enhance the concentration of students. In particular, the overall capacities of students at the law school were upgraded through education focusing on case problem-solving and 1 on 1 correction guidance programs for under-performing students. Furthermore, its exceptional scholarship support and excellent faculty are already well known. Full-time professors often turn in their vacation to offer special lectures or provide assistance in group studies, while professors who were formally judges, prosecutors and attorneys for students who wish to become law clerks or prosecutors. Also, adjunct professors who are currently working in the legal field also help with practical education. Furthermore, the school also actively manages the concerns and stress of students aside from academic support. There is a specialized researcher exclusively for law school students at the student support center, and they provide consultation for student concerns and search for solutions. It also improved the study areas to remove the smallest discomforts for students studying, 24 hour study halls, lounges, sleeping rooms, kitchens, shower rooms, and other convenience facilities for students. YU Law School Dean Lee Dong-hyung said, “YU Law School has constructed an optimal system to help students study effectively.” He added, “Based on the full support by the school, the passionate lectures of outstanding faculty, self-initiated learning among students, and the systematic administrative support made it possible to achieve such good results.” YU President Sur Gil-soo said, “Objective indicators proved that the YU Law School is one of the top law schools,” and added, “YU Law School is also maintaining top rankings in indicators that show the qualitative excellence of the law school education such as master’s degree acquisition rates. The university will provide full support to maintain the status as a prestigious law school.”
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Donated a total of 6.2 Billion KRW by operating the ‘Songam Scholarship Foundation’ for alma mater and juniors since 2002 Donations to be used as renovation funds for the science library to help foster science and engineering students Graduates who received the Songam Scholarship also joined in the efforts and donated 10 million KRW [May 14, 2019] <Life is determined not on how much one gathers, but how much is shared - Aired on YTN News on May 14, 2019> “I am practicing sharing for my alma mater YU that made me who I am today and my juniors. I believe that sharing determines the true value of life.” A very special event was held at the YU Cheonma Art Center Convention Hall at 3 p.m. on May 14. Korea Former Chairman Lee Jong-woo (80) from the YU Department of Mechanical Engineering ‘64 donated 5 billion KRW worth of real estate for the renovation of the YU science library. He decided to donate a huge sum to pay for the renovation expenses after seeing difficulties with renovating the science library. Aside from the 5 billion KRW that Chairman Lee donated, he donated over 1.2 billion KRW to YU as scholarship funds to be used for students having financial difficulties like he did in the past since 2002 by establishing the ‘Songam Scholarship Foundation’. Since 2003, new sophomores in the School of Mechanical Engineering are selected every year to receive full scholarships until graduation. There are over 17 students that received the scholarships as of now. When including this donation, he made cumulative donations of 6.2 trillion KRW. The philosophy of Mr. Lee who made a huge donation is setting an example. He is famous to be very frugal when using money for himself or his family. He said that he never wanted to ride in a car driven by a driver and he practiced being frugal by driving his own car or taking the subway to commute. Mr. Lee said, “All I need is just the amount that I have to have to live.” He added, “I hope that the newly changed science library will be a cradle for my juniors to realize their dreams.” Mr. Lee was born in Japan in 1938 and returned to Gimcheon, Gyeongbuk in 1945 after the liberation of Korea, but then experienced the Korean War where he lived a tough and poor childhood. He did not receive official education, but had an undying thirst to learn. Thus, after being discharged from the Air Force and working as a civilian military employee, he decided to enroll at the YU Department of Mechanical Engineering in 1964 at the age of 27. He woke up in the morning and prepared two meals. He would eat his lunch at the military base and dinner at school and finally graduated after four years. Then, in 1977, Mr. Lee founded Korea Former, a lightweight steel frame and partition materials production company. Mr. Lee engaged in research and technological development with the spirit of ‘I may fail, but I will never give up’ and he introduced new technologies to Korea to help lead localization of agricultural materials and the development of the construction materials industry. In particular, graduates of YU who received the Songam scholarship fund also donated 10 million KRW in scholarship funds for their juniors to practice the philosophy of sharing that they learned from Chairman Lee. They practiced a culture of donation by passing on scholarships they received from their senior to their juniors. Lee Gi-beom (32), who attended the event on behalf of the Songam scholarship students said, “We are what we are today thanks to the scholarship of Chairman Lee,” and added, “We learned from Mr. Lee’s generosity and though it is only a small amount, we are proud to be able to donate to the scholarship fund for our juniors as well.” YU President Sur Gil-soo said in his welcoming address, “I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Chairman Lee, who is usually very thrifty and frugal, for his beautiful donation that made it possible to solve a big issue at the university.” He added, “The students will now be able to look toward a greater future through the renovation of the science library and we will do our best to become a university that fosters the best human resources that can contribute to the development of Korea.” Meanwhile, YU is planning to begin renovation construction of the science library using the funds donated by Chairman Lee combined with school funds so that science and engineering students can concentrate on their studies in a more excellent environment.
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YU School of Fine Arts Trans Art majors in third project since 2016 Various sculptures made by Facility Management Office employees also exhibited for the college festival [May 24, 2019] Various sculptures placed around the YU (President Sur Gil-soo) campus captured the attention of students passing by. Students stopped to take a look at the various sculptures on campus at the main gate, Cheonma Art Center, and Mirror Pond. YU School of Fine Arts Trans Art major students made various artwork for the third year at the college festival since 2016. The YU campus was transformed into a massive art gallery during the college festival period. YU School of Fine Arts Trans Art Professor Shin Gi-woon that planned out the student exhibit said, “The students planned out this outdoor exhibit on campus so that other students on campus can pause while naturally appreciating artwork.” In particular, sculptures made by employees of the Facility Management Office using various recycled materials so that members of YU can enjoy art. Employees of the Facility Management Office that made sculptures for the first time said, “Our entire team worked together for three months, but it was not easy to make sculptures without having additional materials expenses.” He added, “I hope that everyone visiting our school during the Daedong Festival will be able to enjoy the festival while viewing the eco-friendly sculptures.” Meanwhile, the festival was highlighted with the ‘Run History’ tournament in commemoration of the 100 year anniversary of the March 1 Movement and the establishment of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea and the ‘Musical Campus’ hosted by the Cheonma Art Center to add meaning to the festival with various cultural events. YU President Sur Gil-soo said, “This year’s YU festival will showcase not only the works of trans art majors, but also the works made by faculty all around campus,” adding, “I hope that the college festival will be an opportunity for members of YU to spend time with the community.”
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YU holds 4th ‘YU International EXPO’Introducing various internationalization programs such as exchange student, overseas employment and internship programsPractical information provided by former exchange students [May 16, 2019] YU (President Sur Gil-soo) held the ‘4th YU International EXPO’. This expo, which is held in May of every year since 2016 to strengthen the global competency of students, was held on the 15th and 16th attracting students passing the main gate of YU. This expo was organized to introduce and encourage participation in various internationalization programs such as overseas internships, overseas employment and overseas language courses, including overseas exchange student programs. The most popular program was the ‘Practical Information’ provided by students who had experience as exchange students at sister universities abroad and foreign exchange students from overseas sister schools. This year, 45 exchange students from 24 sister schools in 12 countries such as the US, Netherlands, Finland, France, Brazil, Chile, China and Japan and 19 students who went abroad as exchange students for a total of over 60 students came to the booths to share information with other students interested in going abroad as exchange students. Park Ji-min (19, School of Fine Arts, freshman) who said that one thing on her bucket list in college is to participate in exchange student programs. She said, “It was great to be able to learn information of various foreign universities and YU’s internationalization program information through this expo,” and added, “It was also very helpful to be able to talk to exchange students to learn about the educational program of the local university, intramural club activities, information about college life, as well as other information including safety.” The YU University Student Ambassador (USA) booth was also busy helping students during the expo. USA is a student organization that promotes the university internationally by using not only foreign language skills, but also a variety of other abilities, while also supporting international students at YU. This year, street recruitment was conducted to select the 18th USA and it stayed busy with applicants arriving throughout the expo. Furthermore, overseas internship agencies and the college job center also organized a booth to provide relevant information and give one-on-one consultation, thus showing all of the internationalization programs of YU through this expo. YU International Exchange Team Leader Lee Won-young who hosted this expo said, “The expo was designed to approach students who are interested in international exchange but don’t know how to participate.” He added, “The doors to the International Exchange Team are always opened so that more students will go beyond being simply interested, but also participate in the program and enhance their global capacities.” Meanwhile, as of the first semester of 2019, there are currently 157 exchange students from 47 sister schools from 22 countries around the world, and 159 YU students have been dispatched as exchange students to 54 sister schools in 19 countries.
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‘Vietnamese YU Alumni Association’ held in Hanoi, Vietnam Active in various sectors of Vietnam including college professors, public employees, and in national institutes and global companies Participants donate funds to use for college development [April 29, 2019] In the afternoon of the 27th despite being a weekend, over 30 Vietnamese YU alumni working in different sectors in Vietnam gathered at the La Siesta Hotel in Hanoi. They took time out from their busy schedules to attend the ‘Vietnamese YU Alumni Association’. They are leading the development of Vietnam in various fields such as public employees in central and local governments of Vietnam, college professors, major national institutes and public corporations, and companies like LG. At the alumni meeting, key university figures including YU President Sur Gil-soo and External Affairs Cooperation Office Director Park Jae-hong were in attendance. Mr. Sur said in his congratulatory address, “YU alumni are doing tremendous things all around the world. Coming to Hanoi, the heart of Vietnam, I can really feel the power of YU alumni in Vietnam.” He added, “There are over 600 international students from Vietnam studying hard at YU. I believe that they will become leaders of Vietnam in the near future, just like their seniors present here today. I hope that the YU alumni association will become the central point as leaders of not only Vietnam, but the world.” At this alumni meeting, Vu Dang Toan (43) was elected as the second alumni association chairperson following Huynh Sang (64, former professor of Korean language at Van Hien University) who served as the first alumni chairperson since 2011. Mr. Vu Dang Toan earned his PhD at the YU Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering and is currently employed at the Vietnam Agricultural Science Institute. Chairman Vu Dang Toan said, “Becoming the second chairman instead of my seniors here who are highly active in Vietnam feels like a big burden. I will do my best to lead the Vietnam alumni association.” He added, “I will do my best so that it does not simply become a meeting of alumni in Vietnam, but will continue to interact with the alma mater and make close times among YU alumni.” <Dr. Vu Dang Toan (right) who was elected as the second alumni association chairman of the ‘Vietnamese YU Alumni Association’ delivers development funds to YU President Sur Gil-soo (left).> At this alumni meeting, the participating alumni gathered college development funds on site. They donated the funds to Mr. Sur Gil-soo and promised to meet again next year with more alumni. YU is planning to use the development funds to promote international student alumni associations and as scholarship funds to help with the academic progress of international students from Vietnam at YU.
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Gyeongsangbuk-do Office of Education Research Institute operates global culture understanding education program with the Daegu Metropolitan Office of Education Korean and foreign student team serve as one-day teachers at local elementary, middle and high schools Popular for unique classes such as experiencing culture, language and traditional outfits of countries around the world [May 7, 2019] Students could be heard exploding in laughter at a classroom at Jeongpyeong Elementary School during the third period on the morning of the April 30. Chimereze Eden (26), a senior in international development and Saemaul Undong from Gabon currently studying at YU, and Kim Re-ah (22) majoring in sports science at YU became one-day teachers at an elementary school. They taught a class on the theme of understanding Gabon culture. Chimereze Eden introduced the students about Gabon and talked about the language and foods of Gabon, while Kim Re-ah provided support such as materials needed for class. Students reacted very favorably to the unique class taught by a foreign college student. In particular, the elementary students were charmed by foreign cultures by experiencing the traditional outfits of Gabon. Chimereze Eden said, “It felt great being given the opportunity to introduce the cultures of Gabon to Korean students. It was a lot of fun because I was able to interact with students at an elementary school classroom of Korea.” Kim Re-ah, who also helped teach students, said, “We carefully prepared materials to help explain in class, but once I got ready for class, I became worried. But, as soon as class started, the students reacted very well so we were able to have a fun class.” Mr. Park Myeong-chan (48), a teacher at Jeongpyeong Elementary School, said, “It was great to see the students participate eagerly on global understanding education throughout the entire class. I think the students participated actively throughout the entire class because it was a new class format being able to learn about the culture of an unfamiliar country from a native college student.” He added, “The college students who came as one-day teachers prepared for class so well that they were able to stimulate curiosity among students. I wish there were more opportunities like this for students.” The class that they held was part of the ‘2019 Foreigner Invitation Global Understanding Education’ hosted by the Gyeongsangbuk-do Office of Education Research Institute. Through this program, local elementary, middle and high school students can communicate naturally with foreign college students to experience cultures from around the world and was planned out by the Gyeongsangbuk-do Office of Education Research Institute to help students gain a global outlook. This education session conducted by a team of one international student and one Korean student is joined by 82 teams from 32 countries including Gabon, Ghana and China studying at YU. A total of more than 80 classes will be held until November in 16 elementary, middle and high schools such as Jeongpyeong Elementary School, Sadong High School, Gunwi Bugye Middle School, and other schools in the Gyeongsan, Cheongdo, Yeongcheon and Gunwi regions. Meanwhile, YU has been operating ‘Global Harmony for the Future’ for global knowledge sharing volunteer work together with the Daegu Metropolitan Office of Education since the second semester of last year. As part of the liberal grade system, seven teams made up of YU students and international students from sister schools in the Netherlands, Chile, Brazil and China participated in the second semester of last year to joint the creative experience activity classes and its program for communicating with popular culture such as music from different countries. They worked on global cultural communication in six middle schools in the Suseong-gu region of Daegu including Gosan Middle School, Daegu-dong Middle School, Maeho Middle School, Soseon Girls’ Middle School, Shiji Middle School and Shinmyung Middle School three times a semester. In this semester, exchange students from sister schools in seven different countries such as the USA, China, Germany, India, Bulgaria, Taiwan and Turkey will team up with Korean students to make a total of 15 teams to provide global knowledge sharing volunteer activities at four middle schools in the Buk-gu region of Daegu such as Gangbuk Middle School, Dongbyeon Middle School, Unam Middle School and Chilgok Middle School. Regarding this, YU External Affairs Cooperation Office Director Heo Chang-deok said, “There are currently about 1,700 foreign students from over 60 countries working on their diplomas at YU and about 300 exchange students from sister schools from 20 countries come to study as well. In other worlds, it is a global campus university with over 2,000 foreign students studying here every year.” He added with emphasis, “Using the global education basis of YU, we will further promote various cooperation programs to share with the local communities.”
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Best university in biopharmaceuticals in the ‘2018 College Rankings by Industries’ Participated by employees of 43 companies such as Yuhan Corporation, evaluating 1,024 corporate surveys [May 2, 2019] ‘What is the best university chosen by companies?’ YU (President Sur Gil-soo) was selected as the ‘best university’ by the industry. On April 24, the Ministry of Education and the Korean Council for University Education (KCUE) announced the ‘2018 College Rankings by Industries’. In result, the YU Department of Biotechnology was recognized for its outstanding educational course by being selected as the ‘best university’ in the biopharmaceutical sector. A total of 22 universities and 24 departments were selected as best college/department in five fields such as biopharmaceuticals, environment, energy, biomedical instruments, advertisements, etc. In detail, nine schools were selected for biopharmaceuticals, nine in environment, one in energy, two in biopharmaceutical instruments, and three in advertisement. The ‘College Rankings by Industries’ that have been conducted since 2008 together by the Ministry of Education, KCUE and economic organizations evaluate universities based on the perspective of businesses. College Rankings by Industries evaluate whether the capacities of college graduates fit the capacities of personnel needed by the industry and proposes core competencies per field by the industry and the relevant curricula to evaluate the level of conformity of college education courses. Employees from a total of 43 companies such as Yuhan Corporation, LSIS, Coway Entech, Osstem Implant and MBN Media Lab participated in the evaluation, while 1,024 companies joined in on the surveys. The YU Department of Biotechnology that received the highest rating has been graduating talented and practical human resources for the bio industry through practical major education reflecting industry needs, on-site education linked to acclaimed domestic research centers and businesses, and internationalization education linked with overseas sister schools. In particular, it focuses on improving the core capacities of students through lab work in industries, operating Capstone Design courses, inviting CEOs and experts to give lectures, study groups for in-depth studies in majors, and lifelong teaching-learning programs, etc. <YU Department of Biotechnology lab class> Universities selected as best universities in this ranking will receive certification plaques under the name of the Ministry of Education, 5 economic organizations, and KCUE. The five economic organizations are planning to recommend giving employment incentives to graduates of the best universities to its member companies. Meanwhile, YU was selected as the best university in the 2017 College Rankings by Industries in the petrochemical sectors, in the construction sector in 2016, and in the metals and foods sector in 2015. In 2014, YU was selected as the best university in the biopharmaceutical sector, electronic semiconductor and IT sector in 2013 and architecture in 2012.
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Technology developed by YU Department of Medical Biotechnology Professor Choi In-ho (Cell Culture Research Center Chief) signs agreement for technology transfer with Ecell Commercialization expected to expand to the cell culture market and cosmeceutical market Technology transfer fee ‘1 billion KRW + 2% of sales’ [April 23, 2019] <From left to right, YU Department of Medical Biotechnology Professor Choi In-ho, Industry-Academic Cooperation Cooperation Team Leader Park Yong-wan, President Sur Gil-soo, Ecell CEO Kim Doo-hyun) Outstanding technologies possessed by YU (President Sur Gil-soo) will be transferred and commercialized to businesses. At 1:30 p.m. on the 22nd (Mon), YU signed a technology transfer agreement with Ecell (CEO Kim Doo-hyun). The technologies that were transferred are ‘New Peptide FNIN2 that Promotes Cell Proliferation and Splitting and Its Use) and ’New Peptide FNIN3 that Promotes Cell Adhesion, Proliferation and Splitting and Its Use’ developed by YU Department of Medical Biotechnology Professor Choi In-ho. The technologies subject to the technology transfer can be used in various fields such as the stem cell culture solution (medium) market, cosmeceutical market including cosmetic products having stem cell medium, and the stem cell treatment market, and therefore, it is expected to create a new market together with the rise of the anti-aging industry for the aging society. Technologies for developing new drugs and materials using advanced IT technologies in the bio sector have recently been on a stark rise mainly in advanced countries. Professor Choi’s research team successfully developed peptides specialized in stem cell treatment using ‘Insilico’ analysis technologies used for bio phenomena and pharmaceutical product research through big data information and computer simulation on protein structures that exist in the cell barrier. It is expected that through this, production efficiency of bio pharmaceutical products specialized for stem cell treatment substances will increase. YU signed a 1 billion KRW contract for technology transfer fees of this technology and it will also receive 2% of all sales from the business of the company for three years. Ecell is a company that manufactures products related to disposal cell culture processes and with this technology transfer, it is planning to transfer its head office or split its company and open a new location in Uiseong-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do. YU President Sur Gil-soo said, “Technologies and research capacities of YU are being sought after by many companies.” He added, “YU will take the initiative to create new growth engines for not only YU and businesses, but also for the local community through continued industry-academic cooperation.” YU Industry-Academic Cooperation Team Leader Park Yong-wan said, “As it takes a long time for bio technologies to become commercialized, the industry-academic team will do its best to improve the possibilities to commercialize technologies through flexible ties between the industry-academic cooperation team and businesses.” Ecell teamed up with the YU Technology Transfer Commercialization Center for the inter-collegiate convergence commercialization project (supervised by Chonnam National University) of the Ministry of Education’s (National Research Foundation) Beyond Research Innovation & Development for Good Enterprises + (BRIDGE+) to receive funding for commercialization and has been pursuing technology commercialization. This technology is the result of research on Gyeongsangbuk-do’s ‘4th Industrial Revolution Core Technology Development Project’ (overseen by the department of science policy, 3 years, 800 million KRW) and under the leadership of YU Department of Medical Biotechnology Professor Choi In-ho (Cell Culture Research Center Chief), it was joined by College of Pharmacy Professor Jung Ji-heon and College of Medicine Professor Doh Gyeong-ho. Professor Choi’s research team has focused on developing treatment related to muscles and commercializing cell culturing technologies through research on muscle stem cells for over 10 years.
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‘YU-GSDN-Ethiopia SNNPR’ Saemaul Development Cooperation MOU signed GSDN Chairman (YU Professor) Choi Wae-chul reappointed as policy advisor for SNNPR, Ethiopia Governor of SNNPR requests YU for support to establish ‘Department of Saemaul Economic Development’ in local university [April 8, 2019] <The three institutes of YU, GSDN and SNNPR, Ethiopia signed an MOU for Semaul community development.> The wind of Saemaul development is brewing into a storm in Ethiopia. Senior government officials and major policy legislators led by the governor of the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People’s Region (SNNPR) of Ethiopia are actively looking to learn the Saemaul Undong. YU (President Sur Gil-soo) teamed up with the Global Saemaul Development Network (GSDN, Chairman Choi Wae-chul) to create a wind for Saemaul development in SNNPR, Ethiopia. On March 27, YU, GSDN and SNNPR, Ethiopia met at the main conference room of YU to sign an MOU for Saemaul development. They gathered to pursue policies to promote local development of SNNPR and promote the quality of life of its residents, and in particular, to pursue community development programs based on Saemaul development policies. SNNPR, Ethiopia is a large state that spans over an area of 106,000 square kilometers, which is larger than Korea, and has a population of 19 million. The ‘Global Saemaul Development Network (GSDN)’ is a cooperative body and non-government international organization that shares the Saemaul Undong and Saemaul development policies with developing countries, and it is made up of 458 individual and institutional members in 61 countries, and it is chaired by YU Department of Saemaul and International Development Professor Choi Wae-chul. SNNPR Governor Million Mathewos of SNNPR and other senior government officials visited YU to sign this MOU and also participated in a Saemaul Undong policy training hosted by the YU International Development and Cooperation Center over a period of seven nights and eight days. Governor Million’s delegation learned about the philosophy and drive of Saemaul development, experience cases of the Saemaul Undong, and drafted execution plans to implement this in SNNPR. In particular, Director of Agriculture Tilahun Kebede Wolde who participated in this training had already participated in the Saemaul development policy training program in 2015, and still showed great passion by recording every detail of the education provided. Prior to signing the MOU, on March 26 SNNPR Governor Million expressed his appreciation to GSDN Chairman Choi Wae-chul for his role as an advisor for SNNPR local development, and handed a certificate of appointment as the SNNPR policy advisor while requesting that he would continue to help as the state government’s policy advisor (photo on right). Chairman Choi led Saemaul Undong education for public officials in Ethiopia in February of 2016 and at the time, he was requested to take the position of an advisor for the state government from SNNPR Governor Dessie Dalkie Dukamo, which he had accepted. On this date, Governor Million said, “We are planning to implement local development programs and the Saemaul Undong full-fledged for the development of the community and to improve the quality of life for its residents,” and added, “We wish to continue to learn the wisdom and experience of the Saemaul Undong through the cooperation and support of YU and GSDN.” He also requested support for the installation of the ‘Department of Saemaul Economic Development’ in a local university of SNNPR to foster new talented human resources. Chairman Choi Wae-chul responded, “Ethiopia is our brother country that put their lives on the line when we were in trouble,” and added, “If Korea’s experience and especially the experience of Saemaul development can help with the local development of SNNPR, I will do my best to help.”
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Eighth ‘homecoming day’ since 2011... Over 100 alumni in Seoul visit their alma mater in buses ‘Talk concert’ of senior and junior alumni, Seoul Cheonma Choir made up of alumni living in Seoul perform to receive huge response Chairman of the Seoul Alumni Association Yoo Gun-ha and Bolim Construction CEO Kim Seok-hoe donates development fund [April 5, 2019] <YU alumni from Seoul visiting alma mater welcomed by juniors at YU> “I was so excited to meet my juniors at YU that I had a hard time going to sleep for the past few days. Though my body has left YU after graduating, I always cherish my memories of my alma mater. Please remember that your seniors all across Korea are always rooting for YU and our juniors!” At noon on the first week Friday of April with cherry blossoms in full bloom at the campus, over 100 alumni in Seoul visited YU including YU Seoul Alumni Association Chairman Yoo Gun-ha (‘66, Architecture class of ’71, Kunwon Engineering CEO). They are all leaders of Korea in various fields. <2019 Seoul Alumni Association Homecoming Event> Only at YU can you see over 100 alumni who are leaders in different parts of society to come together simultaneously despite their busy schedules to ride buses and travel for four hours to visit their alma mater. This rare homecoming day event is already in its eighth year since 2011. Former Minister of Health and Welfare Jeon Jae-hee (Public Administration ‘68), Bolim Construction CEO Kim Seok-hoe (Architecture ’75), A Plus Asset Group Chairman Kwak Geun-ho (Chemical Engineering ‘76), Former President of the Korea Minting and Security Printing Corporation Kim Hwa-dong (Law ’76), National Assemblyman Joo Ho-young (Law ‘78)_, KOTFA CEO Park Gang-seop (Law ’80), Former Head Coach of the Korean National Football Team Shin Tae-yong (Sports Education ‘88) and other leaders in finances, law, cultures and sports gathered on this special day. YU Seoul Alumni Association Yoo Gun-ha, who prepared for this event, said in his welcoming address, “The homecoming day of seniors who are actively leading various sectors of society is already in its eighth year. This meeting will help instill a love for school for alumni and a valuable opportunity for students to think about their future and directions they should take through the experiences of seniors. I hope that this event will be a turning point for our juniors to be able to grow further.” YU prepared a welcoming event and luncheon for the alumni who took out their time to visit, while YU President Sur Gil-soo, professors and the student body president attended to show their appreciation. Also, upon hearing news that alumni living in seoul are visiting YU, YU General Alumni Association Chairman Jung Tae-il (Mechanics ‘64) and other alumni association officers visited YU to welcome them. YU President Sur Gil-soo said, “Students should feel a strong sense of support thanks to their seniors who love YU and their juniors,” and added, “I hope that this event will serve as an opportunity for alumni and students to share their challenging spirits and valuable experiences. I ask that the senior alumni will become excellent mentors for their juniors.” Student body president Jung Hwan-do (25, School of Chemical Engineering, senior) gave welcome flowers to Seoul Alumni Association Chairman Yoo Gun-ha on behalf of the students of YU and said, “We are very thankful to our seniors who come to YU every year. We will also work hard to follow in the footsteps of our seniors.” The alumni living in Seoul also donated a development fund to YU at this event. Seoul Alumni Association Chairman Yoo Gun-ha donated 20 million won and Bolim Construction CEO Kim Seok-hoe donated 10 million won asking YU President Sur Gil-soo to use the money for the school and students.“ Following the luncheon, a ‘talk concert’ was held with junior students at the Cheonma Art Center Chamber Hall from 2:30 p.m. The talk concert, which was hosted by former Korea Minting and Security Printing Corporation President Kim Hwa-dong was held with a special lecture by A Plus Asset Group Chairman Kwak Geun-ho (right on photo) with Bolim Construction CEO Kim Seok-hoe, KOTFA President Park Gang-seop and former Korean National Football Team Head Coach Shin Tae-yong as panels. The 500 capacity Chamber Hall was filled with junior students who came to listen to the valuable experiences and advice of seniors, while focusing on each and every word they had to say. Also, the Seoul Cheonma Choir made up of the Seoul Alumni Association performed in the middle of the talk concert, receiving huge applause by students.
