Seoul Free Citizens University Awards First Honorary Master's Degrees to 58 Graduates... 82-Year-Old Seo Sang-ok Becomes Oldest Master's Recipient

58 Honorary Master's Degree Recipients, Total Learning Hours 24,141, Average 416 Hours Per Person

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Seoul Free Citizens University, a lifelong learning center for Seoul citizens, has produced 58 honorary citizen master's degree holders for the first time this year. Additionally, 294 honorary citizen bachelor's degrees were awarded. Since its establishment in 2013 and the introduction of the honorary citizen degree system in 2018, a total of 967 honorary citizen bachelor's degrees have been conferred, and now the first honorary citizen master's degrees have been awarded.

The 58 individuals honored as the first honorary citizen master's degree holders accumulated a total of 24,141 learning hours, averaging 416 hours per person. The learners vary in age and life experiences, ranging from young adults to middle-aged and older adults, but they achieved valuable accomplishments driven by a shared passion for learning.

The oldest recipient is Seo Sang-ok, who turned 82 this year. Instead of using a computer, Seo submitted a handwritten research paper of over 200 pages titled "A Study on Underwood's Missionary Activities," earning a special award. Although the process of writing by hand caused arm pain severe enough to require treatment, Seo persevered and completed the research with great dedication.

Another honorary citizen master's degree recipient, Choi Young-ah (57), received an excellence award for her high-quality research on the topic "What is a Happy Life?" Despite personal hardships, she did not give up on her research and completed it, demonstrating hope that any obstacle or adversity can be overcome. Choi said, "It was a difficult process, but I felt great enlightenment and fulfillment."

The Albatross team (Kim Kwang-bae, Kim Won-ho, Lee Sang-geun), who conducted joint research, structured their master's thesis by cross-editing their life stories from Seoul, Gwangju, and Japan, transforming their distinct personal histories into a shared narrative of the era and citizens.

On the 11th, Seoul Free Citizens University held the "3rd Honorary Citizen Degree Conferment Ceremony," awarding honorary citizen bachelor's degrees to 294 individuals and honorary citizen master's degrees to 58. The master's program operated 18 major seminars divided by research topics, producing research outcomes in diverse fields and themes such as "Life Planning and Group Counseling for the New Middle-aged (50s and 60s)," "Climate Change Crisis and Ethical Issues," "Life Planning and Asset Management in an Era of Low Growth, Low Interest Rates, and Aging," and "Resident Autonomy Committee Operation Manuals."

Seoul Free Citizens University plans to support continuous research activities for learners even after obtaining their master's degrees through citizen research groups within the university. Kim Joo-myung, Director of the Seoul Lifelong Education Promotion Institute, stated, "We will support continuous learning activities of honorary citizen degree holders by linking them with citizen research groups. Having successfully produced master's degree holders this year, we plan to design a doctoral program as well."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.