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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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YU Holds Its Eighth “Sharing Kimchi with Love” Volunteer Event, Joined by YU Social Contribution Corps Members and International Students “Sharing Kimchi in Summer, Not Kimjang Season, Makes It Even More Meaningful” — Putting Community Care into Action Faculty, Staff, Students, and International Students Take Part Directly, Fostering a Stronger Sense of Community [August 21, 2026] In the midst of a sweltering summer, the hard work and sweat of YU members came together to fill the tables of local neighbors with warm, homemade kimchi. Rather than waiting for the traditional winter kimjang season, faculty, staff, students, and international students joined forces to prepare kimchi for neighbors who need it most during the summer. On August 20, YU held its eighth “Sharing Kimchi with Love” volunteer event at the Jeongsikdang restaurant in the Student Union Building. As part of the university’s social contribution efforts, the event involved delivering kimchi made directly by members of the YU community to neighbors in need. More than 70 participants, including members of the YU Social Contribution Corps—comprising faculty and staff volunteers and student volunteers—as well as international students, took part in every stage of the process, from preparing and seasoning the kimchi to packing and transporting the finished products. Despite the hot weather, participants worked together in harmony to prepare approximately 560 kilograms of kimchi. The carefully prepared kimchi was delivered through the Gyeongsan Volunteer Center to members of underserved communities in the local area. The event was particularly meaningful because it brought the tradition of kimchi sharing, usually associated with the winter kimjang season, to the height of summer. Summer can be an especially difficult time for vulnerable members of the community, as kimchi prepared during the winter may run out and fresh kimchi can be difficult to obtain. Recognizing this need in the local community, YU has continued its summer kimchi-sharing initiative as a practical, community-based form of giving that helps fill a seasonal gap. Participants mixed cabbage with seasonings while sharing their time and goodwill across generations and nationalities. For international students, the event provided a meaningful opportunity to experience Korea’s culture of sharing firsthand. For YU members, it served as an opportunity to reflect on the university’s role as part of and alongside the local community. HONG Young-eun, Director of the YU Social Contribution Corps, said, “A university should go beyond the boundaries of education and research to become a reliable neighbor that shares both the joys and challenges of the local community. Holding this kimchi-making activity in summer, rather than during kimjang season, reflects the desire of YU members to reach out first when help is needed most.” She added, “YU will continue to plan and implement social contribution activities that engage with the local community, put sharing into practice, and create meaningful, tangible change.” Meanwhile, YU, led by the Social Contribution Corps, continues to operate a wide range of social contribution programs, including disaster recovery support, campus clean-up activities, the “Sharing Kimchi with Love” initiative, support for local children’s centers, and overseas volunteer programs. The university plans to further strengthen its ties with the local community and continue fulfilling its role as a responsible university that grows together with the community.
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KOH Sang-on, CEO of PharmaBros and 2006 Pharmacy Graduate, Donates to Support Scholarships for Juniors and University Development A “Star Pharmacist” Thriving as a Pharmacist, Entrepreneur, and Creator—Turning the Value of Knowledge Sharing into Giving Back to His Alma Mater YouTube Channel “A Pharmacist’s Stories About Medicine” Surpasses 2 Million Subscribers—Making a Positive Social Impact Through Expertise-Based Outreach “I Will Continue to Support the Development of Talent for Global Prosperity” [August 5, 2026] <KOH Sang-on, CEO of PharmaBros and star pharmacist creator known as “Go Pharmacist,” donates KRW 50 million to YU> (From left: CEO KOH Sang-on and YU President CHOI Oe-chool) “Hello! I’m Go Pharmacist from ‘YakdeulYak.’ Let’s start by saying, ‘Let’s go!’ first. Let’s go!” Well-known pharmacist creator KOH Sang-on, CEO of PharmaBros Co., Ltd., who is widely recognized by his creator name “Go Pharmacist,” donated KRW 50 million in university development funds to YU on August 3. The donation was made to support the development of his alma mater and the growth of its younger students. A 2006 graduate of YU’s Division of Pharmacy, CEO KOH has shared his professional knowledge with the public as a pharmacist, entrepreneur, and creator of pharmaceutical and health information. Through this donation, he is putting into practice the positive social impact of giving back to the community the knowledge he received and the trust he has gained from society. CEO KOH operates the YouTube channel “A Pharmacist’s Stories About Medicine (https://www.youtube.com/@yakstory119),” which has approximately 2 million subscribers. His content, covering everyday health concerns such as hangovers and nutritional supplements, has earned a strong following among the public.In particular, he explains not only the benefits of nutritional supplements and health functional foods but also their potential side effects and proper intake guidelines, translating professional knowledge into language that anyone can understand and thereby contributing to greater public access to reliable health information. He also communicates with approximately 360,000 followers on Instagram, helping foster a healthier culture of information sharing. In addition, through various lectures and social activities, he shares accurate information on health functional foods and his expertise in planning social media content, establishing himself as a pharmacist creator who combines professional expertise with broad public appeal. CEO KOH has demonstrated the positive potential of social media by going beyond simply delivering information. His work shows how the knowledge and experience of professionals can lead to meaningful social communication and the dissemination of information for the public good, ultimately providing tangible benefits to society. As co-CEO of PharmaBros, a healthcare company, KOH is expanding the company’s business into areas such as health functional foods and healthcare platforms. More recently, he has been pursuing opportunities to enter the global healthcare market and charting new paths for growth. His contribution to creating a healthier society through his expertise as a pharmacist, execution as an entrepreneur, and influence as a creator makes his decision to give back to his alma mater all the more meaningful. CEO KOH said, “YU is a precious starting point that helped me build my professional expertise as a pharmacist and develop the knowledge and confidence to pursue new challenges as an entrepreneur and creator. I decided to make this donation because I wanted to give back, even in a small way, to my alma mater and the society that have supported me.” He continued, “I hope this donation will provide even a small amount of support to help younger students believe in their potential and pursue bigger dreams. Going forward, I will continue to communicate actively with society, share positive influence, and contribute whatever capabilities I have, however small, to making our society a little brighter and healthier.” President CHOI Oe-chool said, “We are deeply grateful and proud of CEO KOH Sang-on for creating positive change in society by sharing his knowledge and experience as a pharmacist in a way that speaks to the public. This university development fund will serve as a valuable example of an alumnus who, having grown through education, has chosen to give back to his juniors and alma mater. It represents much more than financial support.” He added, “CEO KOH is personally demonstrating to our younger students that professional expertise can be a force for the greater good, extending beyond individual success to benefit society. We hope that, as both a professional and an influential creator, he will continue to lead healthy and positive change in our society.”
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Strengthening Global Networks Through Visits to Key Partner Institutions and Development Cooperation Sites Ahead of YU’s 80th Anniversary PSPS Alumni, Including a Deputy Director-General of Laos’s Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and Directors at Bangladesh’s BARD, Playing Key Roles in Rural Development in Their Home Countries Global Standing Affirmed by WURI Leadership Ranking No. 4 Worldwide and THE Impact Rankings No. 47 Worldwide in SDG 17 [July 22, 2026] <An introduction to the achievements of YU’s Park Chung Hee School of Policy and Saemaul alumni working at the Bangladesh Academy for Rural Development (BARD), including policy reports> Ahead of its 80th anniversary, Yeungnam University (President CHOI Oe-chool) sent a delegation from the Park Chung Hee School of Policy and Saemaul (PSPS), comprising Director LEE Jeong-ju, Deputy Director YOON Seok-min, and Administrative Director LEE Jung-chun, to key development cooperation sites in Southeast and South Asia, where the delegation confirmed tangible results of the university’s global talent development programs. The PSPS delegation recently visited key partner institutions, including Laos’s Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the KOICA Laos Office, the Bangladesh Academy for Rural Development (BARD), and Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), further strengthening its international cooperation network and meeting with alumni who are playing leading roles in the development of their respective countries. The visit was organized to assess how PSPS’s founding mission and educational objective of “developing problem-solving talent to overcome poverty and promote shared development in developing countries,” which it has pursued over the past 15 years, are being realized in actual global development settings. It also served as an opportunity to strengthen cooperation with local alumni networks and expand PSPS’s sustainable graduate-school operations and practical international cooperation model. <Yeungnam University’s Park Chung Hee School of Policy and Saemaul discusses cooperation measures with the Department of Agricultural Promotion and Cooperatives of Laos’s Ministry of Agriculture and Environment> The delegation first visited the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment of Laos, where it met with senior officials from the Department of Rural Development and Poverty Reduction and the Department of Agricultural Promotion and Cooperatives to discuss concrete cooperation measures for rural development and agricultural innovation. The two sides agreed to pursue multifaceted policy exchanges, including sharing Korea’s successful Saemaul Undong experience, strengthening the capacity of public officials, conducting joint research, and operating education and training programs. Notably, PSPS graduates are serving as key senior officials in the Department of Agricultural Promotion and Cooperatives, playing a vital bridging role in the formulation of national rural development policies. The delegation also visited the KOICA Laos Office to identify local development cooperation needs and explore the possibility of jointly developing new development cooperation projects by linking them with PSPS’s educational and research capabilities. Currently, Laotian alumni of PSPS are serving as key personnel in government agencies, including the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, as well as in the public sector. <Yeungnam University’s Park Chung Hee School of Policy and Saemaul discusses cooperation measures with the Department of Rural Development and Poverty Reduction of Laos’s Ministry of Agriculture and Environment> During its visit to BARD (Bangladesh Academy for Rural Development), a leading institution specializing in rural development in Bangladesh, the delegation agreed to further elevate the level of cooperation while automatically extending the existing memorandum of understanding. A large number of PSPS graduates currently hold senior positions at BARD, including Director-level posts. Drawing on the Saemaul Undong and regional development theories they learned in Korea, these alumni have continuously published research reports, academic papers, and professional books, taking the lead in improving the quality of Bangladesh’s rural development policies. During a meeting with the delegation, local alumni expressed their deep pride in being able to play a leading role in overcoming poverty and building a safer and happier society in their home country, thanks to the problem-solving capabilities they acquired at PSPS. The delegation then visited Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), where it met with President Dr. A K Fazlul Haque Bhuiyan, the Head of the Department of Agricultural Education and Extension, and seven faculty members, and agreed to further promote academic exchanges, including joint research, faculty and student exchanges, and international collaborative research. <LEE Jeong-ju, Director of Yeungnam University’s Park Chung Hee School of Policy and Saemaul, discusses academic exchange with Dr. A K Fazlul Haque Bhuiyan, President of Bangladesh Agricultural University> These global educational achievements of PSPS have drawn further attention in conjunction with Yeungnam University’s recent results in global university rankings.In the WURI ranking for Visionary Leadership, YU rose from No. 35 worldwide in 2024 to No. 23 in 2025 and No. 4 in 2026, demonstrating that its achievements in developing global talent based on Saemaul Studies are being recognized internationally. YU also made its debut in the 2026 Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings, entering the 101–200 global band overall. In particular, it ranked joint No. 47 worldwide in SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), earning recognition for its outstanding global partnership capabilities. <Yeungnam University’s Park Chung Hee School of Policy and Saemaul discusses ODA projects, including the Saemaul Undong, with the KOICA Laos Office> President CHOI Oe-chool of Yeungnam University, who established the Saemaul Undong as “Saemaul Studies,” a normal science, currently serves as a development advisor to local governments in Cambodia and Ethiopia. He has also supported the establishment of country-specific academic departments based on Saemaul Studies at more than 20 universities around the world, including departments of Saemaul Studies, Saemaul Economics and Development, Saemaul Community Development, and Forest, Saemaul and Sustainable Development. In this way, YU’s international cooperation model is rapidly evolving beyond simple talent development into a practical model integrating education, research, and policy advisory services. PSPS’s international cooperation assets are also expected to become a key growth driver in YU’s long-term initiative to establish a global university ESG evaluation system. <Encouraging the activities of the Laos Alumni Association of Yeungnam University’s Park Chung Hee School of Policy and Saemaul> LEE Jeong-ju, Director of PSPS and head of the delegation, said, “This visit was deeply meaningful, as we were able to see firsthand that the global leaders trained by our graduate school have grown into key figures leading national development in their respective countries through government, academia, and research.” He added, “Going forward, we will further develop into a global education and research institution that integrates education, research, and policy advisory services to contribute to solving common challenges facing the global community and to make a tangible contribution to sustainable development (SDGs) in developing countries.” Established in 2011, Yeungnam University’s Park Chung Hee School of Policy and Saemaul has produced more than 1,000 global leaders from 81 countries over the past 15 years, including officials from eight international organizations such as the World Bank and the United Nations World Food Programme (UN WFP). It has established itself as a leading global educational institution in Korea dedicated to overcoming global poverty and promoting shared prosperity for humanity.
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Anchor Project Performance-Sharing Forum Held on the 20th … Full-Scale Development of Talent for Regional Settlement Begins 18 Competitive and Policy-Linked Projects Progressing Steadily … 30 of 33 Performance Indicators Achieve 100% or More Presenting Regional Innovation Models in Future Mobility, Entrepreneurship, Industry Collaboration, and Saemaul Studies Specialization [July 21, 2026] <Yeungnam University held a performance-sharing forum for the Regional Growth Talent Development System project jointly with the Gyeongbuk Anchor Center on the 20th> Yeungnam University (President CHOI Oe-chool) is achieving outstanding results through the Regional Growth Talent Development System (Anchor Project, formerly RISE) supported by Gyeongsangbuk-do, further developing a regional innovation model in which the region, university, and businesses grow together. Based on the achievements and best practices accumulated over the past year, YU plans to accelerate the creation and dissemination of results in the second year of the project. The university is expected to further accelerate the establishment of a virtuous cycle that promotes youth development and settlement in the region, business innovation, and the sustainable development of both the university and the region. YU jointly held an Anchor Project Performance-Sharing Forum with the Gyeongbuk Anchor Center at Hotel Inter-Burgo on the 20th. The forum was held to share the achievements of the first year of the project and explore strategies for disseminating its results and advancing the project going forward. Rather than serving simply as a report on performance, the forum was designed to assess the role YU has played and the achievements it has made within the policy objectives and direction of the Anchor Project promoted by Gyeongsangbuk-do, and to use these achievements as a foundation for developing a more systematic and scalable project model. The Gyeongsangbuk-do Anchor Project focuses on creating a virtuous cycle in which young people attend universities in the region, obtain employment at local companies, and ultimately settle in the region. At the heart of the project is close collaboration among universities, industry, research institutions, and local governments to secure new growth engines for the region and establish a foundation for sustainable development. In line with these objectives, YU is organically connecting education, entrepreneurship, industry-academia collaboration, and global cooperation to simultaneously foster customized talent and drive industrial innovation. YU has been recognized for translating the objectives and goals of the Anchor Project into tangible results through its first-year implementation. The results are clearly demonstrated by the numbers. YU carried out a total of 18 projects, including 11 competitive projects and seven policy-linked projects, and achieved 100% or more of the target in 30 of 33 performance indicators, including student and faculty entrepreneurship, student employment, joint research among local governments, industry, academia, and research institutions, and the development of industry-linked curricula. As a result, all major key projects received the highest-level “A” grade in the first-year evaluation, while the university secured the largest amount of additional project funding among universities in Gyeongsangbuk-do, objectively demonstrating the effectiveness of the project. This is particularly significant in that YU has successfully established a regional innovation operating model for a large comprehensive university, going beyond simple project implementation. One of the most notable achievements was YU’s selection as an AI-focused university under the “Gyeongbuk Strategic Industry Anchor University” initiative launched by Gyeongsangbuk-do this year. YU has embraced this opportunity as a powerful driver of regional innovation and declared a clear vision of becoming a “Leading University Driving the Regional AI Transformation.” Its goals and implementation strategies are clear. The university plans to build an AI ecosystem in partnership with global companies, foster field-oriented convergence talent, and broadly lead the region’s AI transformation (AX) through key strategies aimed at spreading the shared value of “AI for All.” Behind these achievements is a systematic governance structure centered on the RISE Project Group under the Regional Innovation Project Headquarters, which reports directly to the President. YU has strengthened the project’s implementation capacity and accountability by establishing a central administrative structure, a performance management center, and a committee-based monitoring system. Another key factor behind its success has been the university’s ability to seamlessly connect the experience and expertise accumulated through the existing RIS (Regional Innovation System) project, a regional innovation initiative based on cooperation between local governments and universities, with the Anchor Project. In particular, the transition from an education ministry-led project to a local-government-led system has enabled YU to reflect regional industry needs and on-site demands more directly, further strengthening its capacity to operate regionally focused projects. The project has also produced notable examples of success. One of the representative achievements is the “MEGAversity Consortium University,” a collaborative model in the future mobility sector. YU established a functional consortium university system with regional universities to respond to the needs of the future mobility industry and operated a joint talent development model combining the specialized capabilities of each university. This consortium university model is the first of its kind in Korea and has already produced notable results in its first year. YU is responsible for the Innovative Parts for Future vehicles (IPF) sector, where it has advanced an education and industry-academia collaboration system specialized in the future automotive industry. Through extracurricular programs linked with Hyundai NGV and the operation of Project Labs, the university is accelerating the development of talent equipped with the practical skills required by industry. The model is drawing attention as a new collaborative approach to jointly developing talent for the region’s future growth industries through the shared operation of curricula, extracurricular programs, and industry-academia collaboration beyond the boundaries between universities. The entrepreneurship sector has also produced outstanding results. Through “YUnicorn Startup Valley,” YU has established a “settlement-oriented entrepreneurship ecosystem” designed not simply to provide entrepreneurship education but also to commercialize regional assets and help entrepreneurs establish themselves in the region. By bringing together startup support organizations, venture capital (VC) firms, accelerators (ACs), local governments, the university’s technology holding company, and university networks, YU has created a virtuous cycle extending from identifying entrepreneurs to generating sales and connecting startups with investment opportunities. As a result, the university recorded 68 student startups, ranking No. 1 among non-metropolitan universities and No. 6 nationwide in the number of student startups based on a three-year average, demonstrating that a region-based startup ecosystem can produce tangible results. YU’s strengths have also been clearly demonstrated in industry collaboration. The YU Industry Collaboration Center (ICC) has integrated the Regional Growth Innovation LAB, SME R&D, specialized industry scale-up, autonomous R&D, and AX projects into a single platform rather than treating them as separate initiatives. Through this platform, the center has designed a phased growth ladder extending from identifying companies’ technical challenges to demonstration, follow-up R&D, and scale-up. In particular, YU’s research infrastructure and industry-academia collaboration system provided practical support during the development of robotic technologies for the production operations of SL, a mid-sized company based in Gyeongsan, Gyeongsangbuk-do. This case represents a notable example demonstrating that a university can serve as a long-term innovation partner for regional companies. <From left, KIM Seung-chul, Head of YU’s Regional Innovation Project Headquarters; President CHOI Oe-chool; and PARK Dae-hyun, Director of the Gyeongbuk RISE Center> YU’s specialization in Saemaul Studies, leveraging the university’s unique assets, is another important achievement. Based on Saemaul Studies, which systematizes the Saemaul Undong and Korea’s development experience as an academic discipline, YU is connecting infrastructure across undergraduate and graduate programs, research institutes, and training institutions to simultaneously foster international development specialists for shared global prosperity, support the settlement of international students, and address challenges facing rural and agricultural communities. Through an interdisciplinary education system linking the Department of International Development and Saemaul Studies with the Division of Economics and Finance, Department of Forest Resources, Department of Horticultural Life Sciences, Department of Environmental Engineering, and Department of Urban Engineering, students acquire practical expertise in international development cooperation alongside their major-specific capabilities. In addition, YU’s support for the establishment of the Saemaul Research Institute at Samarkand University in Uzbekistan and its on-site consulting under the Anchor Project demonstrate how the university’s specialized assets can lead to international expansion and enhance regional brand value. President CHOI Oe-chool said, “Through the Anchor Project, universities must go beyond being simply educational institutions and serve as innovation hubs connecting the future of young people with sustainable growth in the region. Building on the achievements of the first year, YU will more precisely connect regional industry needs with young people’s development pathways and steadily expand tangible results through which the university, businesses, and the local community grow together. In doing so, we will realize the core objectives of the Anchor Project: developing talent who settle in the region and promoting sustainable regional development.”
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