"Love Calls from Cambodia Too!" ... Yeungnam University's 'Saemaeul Studies' Plays Key Role as Diplomatic Envoy

‘Saemaeulhak’ Academic Export Beyond: Government and International Organizations Discuss National Development

President Choi Oechul of Yeungnam University met with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Im Chae-iri to discuss ways to enhance mutual cooperation.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yeo Jong-gu] Yeungnam University's academic export led by 'Saemaul Studies' is receiving attention as it plays a significant role as a diplomatic envoy in the fields of education and culture.

President Choi's recent visit to Cambodia, which took place from the 11th of last month for a 4-night, 5-day schedule, attracted national interest in Cambodia to the extent that the Deputy Prime Minister and key ministerial officials personally took care of the visit and the local state-run broadcasting reported it nationwide.

In particular, since President Choi serves as a policy advisor to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, the educational sharing achievements Yeungnam University has made in Cambodia are evaluated to have been possible based on this trust.

During this visit, President Choi met with Deputy Prime Minister Im Chae-iri and other cabinet members to discuss Yeungnam University's cooperation plans for establishing the Saemaul Economic Development Department at Cambodian universities and supporting the local One Village, One Product (OVOP) project.

At this meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Im Chae-iri said, "Human resources, technology, and know-how are desperately needed to promote various development aid projects with Korea's KOICA and to operate projects effectively. Establishing the Saemaul Economic Development Department at major Cambodian higher education institutions, including national and private universities, and nurturing talent through a 2+2 dual degree system is the most urgent task."

President Choi promised, "We will actively strive not only for international exchanges between universities but also for cooperation with the government. Beyond exchanges in the education field for training Saemaul leaders, if there are national policy projects for Cambodia's development where Yeungnam University can assist, we will actively cooperate."

Additionally, Yeungnam University has formed a broad network not only with Cambodian government agencies but also with international organizations and NGOs.

They consecutively visited the Cambodia Development Center (CD Center) and the Southeast Asia Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) to discuss promoting Saemaul leader training through participation in Saemaul development training programs, as well as internship and volunteer programs for Yeungnam University students in Cambodia.

As Yeungnam University's role in the international community grows year by year, this is analyzed as the result of leading efforts over the past 40 years in building education and research infrastructure and global networks in the field of Saemaul international development.

So far, Yeungnam University has established and operated institutions such as the Park Chung-hee Saemaul Research Institute, Park Chung-hee Saemaul Graduate School, International Development Cooperation Institute, and the Saemaul International Development Department, covering undergraduate and graduate courses as well as research and specialized education training institutions.

Since its establishment in 2011 to nurture Saemaul leaders from developing countries, the Park Chung-hee Saemaul Graduate School has admitted 808 students from 71 countries worldwide, of whom 682 have earned master's degrees in Saemaul Studies and are currently active as key policy makers, international development experts, and Saemaul movement leaders in central government ministries, public institutions, and international development NGOs in their respective countries.

The export of the indigenous academic discipline 'Saemaul Studies' is also gaining momentum. Saemaul Economic Development Departments have already been established and are operating at local universities in the Philippines and Cambodia, and recently Yeungnam University signed an agreement to establish a Saemaul Economic Development Department at Welabe University in Ethiopia.

In Ethiopia, Yeungnam University is in discussions with several universities, including national universities, to establish Saemaul Studies departments, and in Zambia, requests for support to establish local Saemaul Studies departments have been made to Yeungnam University. Calls for the transfer of 'Saemaul Studies' and the 'Saemaul Movement' are pouring in from developing countries across Asia, Africa, and around the world.

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