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Represented Korea after taking second place in 'Miss Intercontinental' Korea Wins Lingpao special award and Miss Tian Xin International Award [January 8, 2016] Kim Jung-hyun (23) a senior at the YU School of Biotechnology took second place (Semi Winner) in the '2015 Miss First International' contest. This contest, which was hosted by the Miss First Foundation and the Chungcheong Ilbo International Cultural Exchange Center, and sponsored by the Asian Center Commission, was held in Shanghai, China on the 18th of last month. Twenty beautiful women from around the world put on a colorful showcase of traditional clothes, beachwear, and dresses. Miss Kim Jung-hyun performed the janggu as she danced showing Korean beauty to the world and took second place. Kim Jung-hyun took the Semi Winner award, while Mejdani Ertemiona (Albania) took the Winner award, while Dong Fei Fei (China) and Old Khuslen (Mongolia) tied for third. Miss Kim also received the Lingapo special award and the Miss Tian Xin International award. Meanwhile, Miss Kim took second place in the 'Miss Intercontinental' Korea pageant in August of last year to compete in this international event representing Korea.
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416 students dispatched overseas such as in the overseas volunteer corps (Cambodia, Laos, etc.) and 'Window to the World' (Europe, USA, Japan) Overseas culture exploration, language studies, and other tuition support programs continuously expanded [January 7, 2016] <The launching ceremony of the 30th overseas volunteer corps was held in the afternoon of the 6th at the College of Education auditorium.> YU students will start off 2016 all around the world. Students are planning to spend a very busy winter vacation. YU operates various overseas dispatch programs using vacation periods of every year to provide students with the opportunity to experience the world. This winter break, 416 YU students will travel around the world. The 'overseas volunteers corps', which 2,260 students participated in over 29 sessions since 2001, is YU's most famous overseas dispatch program. The 30th overseas volunteer corps will send 80 students this winter break to Cambodia, Laos, Philippines and India. They held the launching ceremony at the YU College of Education auditorium at 3 p.m. on the 6th and the four teams will be sent to their assigned countries from the 10th to the 24th. The volunteers will visit local elementary schools and provide educational and environmental improvement services. During the volunteer period, they will engage not only in education environment improvement activities such as repairing old facilities and painting walls, but also organize various education teams such as in art and physical education. They will make pinwheels, draw pictures, teach traditional Korean games, as well as Taekwondo and Korean language classes to spread Korean culture. Park Sung-hoon (23, junior in the Department of Political Science and Diplomacy), who is the team leader for the Cambodia team, said, "I am very excited as this is my first time to go on overseas volunteer activities with support from the school. It is a short two weeks, but I will do my best to help the local students and schools and raise the reputation of Korea and our school." He added, "I will improve global capacities by participation in various overseas dispatch programs supported by the school until I graduate." Among the overseas dispatch programs supported by YU, the most important program among students is 'Window to the World'. 'Window to the World' is a backpacking program in search of themes relevant to school and it is so popular that competition is at a rate of 3 to 1. Selected students are provided with round-trip airfares from the school. Since first starting in 2002, over 2,000 students traveled all around the world. This winter vacation, 101 students will travel all around the world including Europe, USA, Australia, Japan and China in teams of twos and threes. 'OPP' (Outbound Pilot Program) is another overseas dispatch program supported by the school. Freshmen and sophomores interested in studying abroad are selected to receive a seven week intensive English education course. During vacation, they are given the opportunity to study English abroad so that they can make thorough preparations for student exchange programs that they can apply for when they become juniors. OPP, which began in 2009, was joined by 1,360 students in total now and in this winter vacation, 122 students will be sent to the Philippines through the OPP. Also, 113 students will also be sent abroad for overseas cultural explorations and short-term language programs for a total of 416 YU students to travel all around the world this winter vacation.
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YU-Indonesia Public Official Academy signs MOU IPDN President Suradinata visits YU Promise to participate in global Saemaul network [December 27, 2015] <IPDN President Suradinata of Indonesia (left) visited YU and requested support for the establishment of the Saemaul Research Center.> YU (President Noh Seok-kyun) received a request to provide support for the establishment of the Saemaul Research Center from Indonesia. On the 23rd, YU President Noh Seok-kyun signed an exchange and cooperation MOU with Mr. Ermaya Suradinata, the president of IPDN (Institute Governance of Home Affairs), which is the public employee academy of Indonesia. According to this MOU, the two universities will pursue exchange of professors and students in the Saemaul development field and operate credit-exchange programs. In particular, YU pledged support in researchers and education and training contents for the establishment of the Saemaul Research Center within IPDN. IPDN of Indonesia was established in 1956 with the goal of fostering public employees and there are currently eight campuses in operation throughout Indonesia. All students receive national scholarships and upon graduation, they are all hired as public employees. Mr. Suradinata was formerly a four-star general and served as the Minister of Defense, and is currently active as an advisor to President Joko Widodo. <Mr. Suradinata met with Global Saemaul Development Network (GSDN) President Choi Wae-chul (left) and promised participation in the GSDN.> IPDN President Suradinata, vice-president, and the dean of academic affairs visited YU from the 22nd to 24th and held a meeting with Choi Wae-chul (YU Vice-president), the president of the Global Saemaul Development Network (GSDN), which is an NGO participated by 58 emerging countries. Mr. Suradinata promised to participate in the GSDN during this meeting. International Students at the Saemaul Graduate School from 44 Nations Held New Years Event Various programs held such as traditional clothing fashion show from different countries, talent shows, and presentations on the Saemaul spirit Showed off Korean skills they learned while singing K-pop Meanwhile, international students enrolled at the Park Chung Hee School of Policy and Saemaul (Director Park Seung-woo) held the 'Global Saemaul New Year's Night' event to finish off the year. This event, which was held at the YU Cheonma Art Center Convention Hall was joined by 190 international students from 44 countries, as well as YU vice-president Choi Wae-chul and professors and employees in the Park Chung Hee School of Policy and Saemaul. The student president Kakono David Mabula (Tanzania) who organized the event said, "We wanted to make our friendship as members of the Saemaul community over the past year stronger," and added, "We prepared many programs to increase interest on Korean culture and to improve understanding on the Saemaul Undong." In the first part of the event, five teams participated in the 'Korean Song Contest' where they sang K-pop ranging from trot to pop, drama sound tracks and movie sound tracks such as 'Eomeona', 'I Love You', 'Maria', and 'All For You' as they boasted their Korean skills. In the second part of the event, 13 participated in the 'Miss and Mister Saemaul Contest' to hold fashion shows with traditional clothes, compete in talent shows, and express their thoughts about the Saemaul spirit. This program awarded male and female contestants based on how well they expressed their pride for their country's culture and how well they expressed their thoughts on the Saemaul spirit. In particular, Khan Areef Anowar (Bangladesh, Environmental Management and Policy) drew a portrait of Former President Park Chung-hee during the talent show and amazed everyone at the event. YU Vice President Choi Wae-chul (Director of the International Development Cooperation Center) who attended this event brought various gifts such as gloves and headphones for all of the students to show his support for international students who brought in the new year in a foreign land away from their homes and families. In his address, Mr. Choi said, "Let's reflect upon the past year and bring in the New Year with a new resolution and filled with emotions," while adding, "I hope that we also take the time to think about our poor and alienated neighbors." The Park Chung Hee School of Policy and Saemaul was opened in November 2011 for the globalization of the Saemaul Undong. Since its opening, 340 students from a total of 56 countries enrolled and there are currently 196 international students from 44 countries studying here as of December 2015. Three quarters of the students at the YU Park Chung Hee School work in the development fields of emerging nations and thus, this school has established itself as the top educational institute in the global Saemaul development field.
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Ministry of Education selects 5 new project teams Largest among private universities outside of Seoul area Graduate school competitiveness recognized in all academic fields including engineering, natural science, pharmaceuticals, and social sciences [December 24, 2015] YU (President Noh Seok-kyun) was pre-selected for a total of 12 projects in the interim evaluations of the Ministry of Education's 'Brain Korea (BK21) Plus Project' and will thus operate the most number of project teams among private universities outside of the Seoul area. Overall, it is 15th place in the nation. The 'BK21 Plus Project' fosters outstanding graduate schools by academic fields and provides research scholarships to graduate school students. It began in 2013 and invests 269.7 billion won annually, and supports approximately 15,500 master's and PhD level students made up of 13,000 in the science technology sector and 2,500 in the humanities and social science fields. According to the preliminary results of the interim evaluations announced by the Ministry of Education and National Research Foundation on the 23rd, YU's seven existing project teams were all selected again, while five project teams were additionally selected. The newly selected teams are the Climate Change Adaptation Sustainability Water Industry Human Resource Fostering Project Team, E-CAR (Electrified-CAR) Core Electric Energy Technology Human Resource Fostering Project Team, Biomimetics Fine Reaction System Research Team for Carbon Dioxide Light Conversion Fuel, Super Generic Development Customized Creative Human Resources Fostering Project Team, and the Regional Small-Strong Company Creative Human Resource Fostering team. This shows that the competitiveness of the graduate school was recognized in all academic fields such as engineering, natural science, medical-pharmaceutical, and social science. YU President Noh Seok-kyun said, "I am very happy that the basis for the next academic generation that will lead the creative economy was expanded so that they may concentrate on studies and research," while adding, "The school will spare no efforts so that more world-class research results can be made. The selected project teams will receive funding for projects for four years until 2020. The Ministry of Education and National Research Foundation will inspect materials submitted by schools such as on research expenses and snowballing thesis performances by January 2016 and confirm selection in February. Meanwhile, the interim evaluation by the Ministry of Education was made at high intensity levels and reevaluated all applications. In order to evaluate the 544 project teams selected in 2013, 227 teams in the top 50% were re-selected first. 343 teams in the lower 50% and 479 new applications were evaluated from which 269 were selected. 24 teams that had considerably poor performance were disqualified without being given the opportunity for reevaluation. Accordingly, 125 or 22.9% of the 544 existing project teams were disqualified. 127 project teams were newly selected and among the pre-selected project teams, 23.3% were changed.
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Active as professor in College of Music (Korean Music) and Gayageum player Contributions in popularizing gayageum through concerts and creative activities KBS1TV concert and award broadcast at 2 p.m. on the 31st [December 30, 2015] YU College of Music (Korean Music) Adjunct Professor Kwak Su-eun (46) won the grand prize at the '2015 KBS Traditional Music Awards'. Professor Kwak, who is a gayageum player, received the grand prize in performing string instruments after being recognized for her contributions in publicizing the gayageum through performances and creative works at the Traditional Music Awards held at the Yeouido KBS Hall in Seoul on the 26th. The KBS Traditional Music Awards is in its 34th year this year and selects and awards traditional musicians who contributed in the development of traditional music through performance and broadcasting activities throughout the year. This year's KBS Traditional Music Awards selected winners in nine areas (folk songs, pansori, performing chamber music, performing string music, orchestra, composition, dance, publishing and media, special contribution awards) through the recommendations of a sub-committee comprised of musicians in the respective fields and traditional music producers, concert planners, music critics, and professors from October, who were then judged by the main judging committee. in addition to Professor Kwak who received the grand prize, other winners were Choi Yoon-young (folk song), Ahn I-ho (pansori), Kim Hyo-young (performing chamber music), Baraji (orchestra), Ahn Hyun-jung (composition), Yoon Mi-ra (dance), Just Music (publishing and media), and Lee Sang-ryong (special contribution award). Performances and awards that reinterpreted traditions by this year's winners will be aired on KBS 1TV at 2 p.m. on the 31st.
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Grand prize in awards sector with 'Elixir of the Heart' Public benefit and commercial such as leading to purchase of books and promoting reading All 4 pieces submitted awarded [November 20, 2015] Kim Do-hoon (23, photo on left), a junior in the Department of Visual Communication Design won the grand prize at the '2015 Maeil Newspaper Advertisement Awards'. The Maeil Newspaper Advertisement Awards, which is in its 13th year this year, is an advertising contest that has been held since 2003 for the development of the advertisement industry by the Maeil Newspaper Company. This contest that was categorized in the creative and general sector gave the grand prize in the creative sector to Mr. Kim Do-hoon, who teamed up with Kwon Do-won of Yeungnam University College, for the piece titled 'Elixir of the Heart'. The 'Exlixir of the Heart' is an advertisement design showing books inside the wrappings of traditional elixir medicines, thus having commercial aspects to purchase books and public benefit aspects of promoting reading. Mr. Kim said, "After reading a sign at Kyobo Bookstore that Korean adults read 9.2 books per year on average, I decided to make an advertisement on books.' He explained his piece saying, "After learning about the reading therapist license, I made the concept of 'reading is a doctor and treatment', and I thought of 'traditional elixirs' that are taken to revitalize people when they are weak." <'Elixir of the Heart' by Kim Do-hoon of the Department of Visual Communication Design who won the grand prize at the 2015 Maeil Newspaper Advertisement Awards> He stated, "I first came up with various ideas such as books being between a row of elixirs and books coming out of an elixir machine, but I thought that they were too explanatory and I sought for designs that could be understood more intuitively." He added, "I then thought about showing a book through a slightly ripped package of elixir medicines to make this piece." Kim took the grand prize at this contest with 'Elixir of the Heart', and also received 1 special price and 2 general awards, thus receiving awards for all four pieces that he submitted. Mr. Kim, who enrolled at the YU Department of Visual Communication Design with the dream of becoming an advertisement professional, won various awards in a number of contests this year including the Busan Ad Stars, Internet Addiction Prevention Contest, and Electric Safety Contest, showing his capacities as a future professional in advertising. Meanwhile, the awarding ceremony was held on the 11th floor auditorium of Maeil Newspaper Company at 3 p.m. on the 18th and the awarded pieces were put on display on the 1st floor of the Catholic University of Daegu CU Gallery up until the 19th.
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Revealed mechanism for changes in blood protein and increase in saccharification, as well as skin cell aging promotion mechanism for the first time in the world Research team recommends ‘avoid exposure for diabetic or chronic inflammation patients and pregnant women and young children’ [December 8, 2015] <YU research team that revealed the mechanism that causes toxicity of ultrafine particles for the first time in the world> (from left to right, BK21 Plus Project Team Researchers Kim Jae-yong, Lee Eun-yong, Professor Cho Gyeong-hyeon) A research team at YU made news by becoming the first in the world to reveal the mechanism that causes toxicity of ultrafine particles. Ultrafine particles, which refer to particles having less then 2.5μm (micrometer, 1μm = 1mm/1,000) diameter, is known to heighten risk of atherosclerosis and diabetes, while also being harmful to pregnant women. However, details on the reason for it were unknown. The YU BK21 Plus Project Team (Team Director, School of Biotechnology Professor Cho Gyeong-hyeon) observed the effects of ultrafine particles on blood serum lipoprotein, skin cells and vascular cells, as well as the physiological effects that appear when the embryos of zebrafish are exposed to ultrafine particles. The research team carried out studies by receiving ultrafine particle specimens collected by the Seoul Meteorological Observation Station in January 2014 at the National Institute of Environmental Research Atmospheric Environment Research Bureau, which is a national research institute under the Ministry of Environment. The exposed the research subjects by exposing to ultrafine particles with 3ppm (part per million, 1/1,000,000) and 30ppm, and observed cellular changes after 48 hours. <The research team examines cellular changes caused by ultrafine particles.> The research team revealed that ultrafine particles can cause an increase and transformation of saccharification of lipoproteins, acute cardiovascular toxicity, and skin cell aging. In addition, zebra fish embryos that were exposed to both materials that cause inflammation and ultrafine particles had a 19% increase in spinal development disorders compared to the control group, while the inflammation rate and death rate also increased by 4.3 times and 30%, respectively. In particular, when treating with ultrafine particles together with fructose that causes diabetes and substances that promote inflammation, it was found that risk of transformation of lipoproteins and cardiovascular diseases accelerated even further. The research team said, "Through this study, it was confirmed that even if the ultrafine particle concentration is light, patients with inflammations, chronic diseases such as diabetes, gum diseases, and rheumatism arthritis, and pregnant women had higher risks," and added, "Patients with weak immunity functions, pregnant women, and young children should avoid exposure to fine particles as much as possible." Meanwhile, the results of this study will be published in the December 2015 issue of 'Molecules and Cells', which is an international academic journal.
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YU Economics and Business Alumni Association holds welcoming ceremony for alumni who gained employment in the Seoul area for the 4th straight year Over 300 participated including senior alumni and new employees Made mentor-mentee relations to continue alumni love [November 26, 2015] <The '4th Cheonma Employment Alumni Welcoming Ceremony' was held at the Samjeong Hotel in Seoul on the 25th.> Power leaders of Korea who graduated from YU gathered to encourage their juniors. The YU General Economics and Business Alumni Association (Chairman Yoon Sang-hyeon) held the 'Cheonma Employment Alumni Welcoming Ceremony' at the Samjeong Hotel in Seoul on the 25th at 7 p.m. The YU General Economics and Business Alumni Association has been holding an annual employment alumni welcoming ceremony since 2012 to encourage juniors who found employment in the Seoul area and just began their professional careers. This was designed by seniors in various fields to show their love and interest to juniors who just began their professional careers, while congratulating fellow alumni who are just beginning their social lives. This welcoming ceremony was attended by over 200 senior YU alumni in political, government, financial, legal and cultural fields such as Jang Moo-ik (82), class of '52 who graduated 57 years ago, YU General Economics and Business Alumni Association Chairman Yoon Sang-hyeon (Business, '69, CEO of Ilshin Electronic Industries and Trading Company), Former Minister of Health and Welfare Jeon Jae-hee (Public Administration, '68), Yuhan Corporation CEO Lee Jung-hee (English and English Literature, '71), Korea Minting and Security Printing Corporation President Kim Hwa-dong (Law, '76), Councilman Joo Ho-young (Law, '78), Former professional baseball player Yang Joon-hyeok (Economics, '88) and Olympic Soccer Team Head Coach Shin Tae-yong (Physical Education, '88) gathered despite their busy schedules to meet their juniors. Including the 100 junior alumni who recently found jobs in the Seoul area, a total of 300 YU alumni gathered together. They greeted each other happily and gave all their advice and encouragement for their professional lives. YU General Economics and Business Alumni Association Chairman Yoon Sang-hyeon (65), who has been in charge of the event for the past four years, said in his welcoming address, "This age needs experts and leaders. I hope you become leaders who are not only talented in your respective fields, but also equipped with strong character and personality." He also stated, "I hope that through this opportunity today, seniors will act as mentors for juniors, and our juniors follow in the footsteps of the seniors who have made their place in society and become a pillar for the development of our society," while adding, "I hope that the juniors attending today will continue the tradition of holding welcoming ceremonies for the next group of alumni who will also begin their professional careers." Attorney Kang Yeon-seob, who graduated from the YU Law School in February and just began his career in law, said, "I am well aware that this is possible through the efforts and passion of my seniors," and added, "We juniors will now follow in the footsteps of our seniors and create a better future." Miss Jung Yoo-jin (23, Architecture, '11) who graduated in February and began employment in the design department of Dawon IDNC, an interior design company in Seoul, represented the new alumni members and stated, "We will become great senior alumni that will take the love that we received from our seniors to lead our juniors with more love." YU President Noh Seok-kyun (6) and Student Body President Kim Su-hyeon (26, Architecture, Senior), who were also present on behalf of the university and students, also expressed their appreciation for the devotion of senior alumni to their juniors. <YU President Noh Seok-kyun and Yuhan Corporation CEO Lee Jung-hee (right, English and English Literature, '71 gives congratulatory addresses> YU President Noh Seok-kyun said, "The isolation and needs you experience when standing alone outside of your family and school as rookies in society will make you wise and brave," and added, "I hope that you will follow in the footsteps of your seniors present here and become leaders of Korea." Student Body President Kim Su-hyeon stated, "I can find a sense of direction and goal by seeing my seniors here as a student," and added, "I am happy to see my seniors trying to lead us. We will also work hard to become a proud part of society by following the lead of our seniors." Short speeches were held by senior alumni at the welcoming ceremony as well. Yuhan Corporation CEO Lee Jung-hee said, "After joining Yuhan Corporation in 1978 and taking Dr. Yoo Il-han as my life mentor, I worked hard and made it to where I am today." He added, "Our junior alumni who just took your first steps in society should also find a life mentor and do all you can, and I assure you, you will be successful." Meanwhile, in the three-hour event, the participants made mentor and mentee agreements and promised to continue their ties. They congratulated the start of new relationships with a toast by Former Minister of Health and Welfare Jeon Jae-hee and promised to meet again in 2016.
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Proposed ‘Hydrogen Car Hydrogen Storage Compressed Container Performance Improvement Process’ High performance, light weight, various form production possible “Will be applied to future hydrogen cars” [December 9, 2015] Kim Gyeong-deok (26, 2nd term of master's degree program) at the YU Graduate School of Textile Engineering and Technology received the grand prize at the '2015 College (Graduate School) Student Idea Contest'. This contest hosted by the Korea Textile Development Institute was made to be used for the development of the textile industry by finding creative ideas and attracting the interest of college and graduate school students in textile technologies. This year, the contest was on ideas in corporate support capacity improvement sectors such as technological and commercialization support for the activation of the materials and convergence technologies using smart, highly functional and super textiles, while also pioneering markets for the textile industry. After the first document review and second presentation review since accepting ideas in August, Kim Gyeong-deok who proposed the 'Hydrogen Car Hydrogen Storage Compressed Container Performance Improvement Process' won the grand prize. Mr. Kim received a cash prize of 3 million won and will receive the benefit of being exempted from document reviews when applying to the Korea Textile Development Institute for employment. The technology proposed by Kim is an idea to improve the performance of pressure containers that can withstand higher pressures than other products in order to bring about early commercialization of hydrogen fuel cells. Kim said, "Instead of the hydrogen storage pressure container produced with steel and carbon fiber materials, I proposed a new process that can produce container pressures that can withstand much higher pressures than in the past." He added, "When produced with this performance improvement method, it will be possible to make the product light-weight and it will also be possible to freely form the container for efficient use." Hydrogen fuel cell automobiles, which are environment-friendly and cheap, is expected to take up a considerable portion of the future automobile market, so Kim's idea is receiving more attention. Kim says that as a student of textile engineering he is very interested in automobile materials, and stated, "Though hydrogen fuel cell automobiles are not highly commercialized yet, I believe that it will lead the future automobile market. I came up with this idea based on this and I think that it has sufficient market value." He added, "Though it might not be possible to materialize on this idea right now, by enhancing technological perfection when the market becomes bigger and automation is achieved, it will be possible to mount on hydrogen fuel cell automobiles." Meanwhile, the Korea Textile Development Institute is planning to utilize ideas from this contest and conduct R&D using various methods.
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Proposed idea using public data ‘Auto send in emergencies’ using sensors and GPS in smart phones Help prevent crimes against women and elderly [December 11, 2015] <Students of the Department of Mobile Information and Communication Engineering Team awarded at the 'Idea Contest-Create with Public Data'> (from left to right - Jang Jung-hyeon, Choi Bong-joon, Kim Dong-geun) ) YU (President Noh Seok-kyun) students were awarded at an idea contest recently by proposing a 'crime prevention app' using public data. At the '1st Idea Contest - Create with Public Data in Daegu' held by Daegu City, the 23 year-old trio team 'Superman is Back' of Kim Dong-geun, Jang Jung-hyeon and Choi Bong-joon, all juniors in the Department of Mobile Information and Communication Engineering, took second place. This contest was held to promote public information-based startups through creative ideas using public data and finding new business models. Their idea is receiving high attention since there are many cases in which various public data possessed by the government or public institutes are being used as various items. The 'Superman is Back' team came up with a smart phone app that can promptly react to sudden emergencies through a simple motion or signal sound. When the user faces an emergency, it is possible to quickly make a report using location information of security-related agencies such as police stations using sensors and GPS in smart phones. When the smart phone sensor recognizes shaking or certain sounds, a text message is sent to the police, relevant institutes, or friends and family containing personal information such as location. Jang Jung-hyeon said, "When the user faces an emergency situation in a dark alley or other places without people around to help, it is possible to simultaneously send the current location or user information with a simple hand signal or shouting out a short word," and added, "It is a very simple idea and it can be configured with the current technology." Team leader of 'Superman is Back' Kim Dong-geun said, "It will be useful for women, the elderly, or young children who are relatively more exposed to crime." He added, "It started off with just a small idea, but I hope that it can be commercialized and help prevent crimes in society."
