"Here to Study 'Saemaeul' at Yeungnam University" ... African and South American International Students Enroll in Park Chung-hee Graduate School

12 Years, 853 Students from 73 Countries Enrolled

Choi Oechul: "Sharing Achievements with the World"

The 72nd (Liberia) and 73rd (Panama) international students from different countries have enrolled at Yeungnam University Park Chung-hee Saemaul Graduate School. They came to learn the 'Saemaul Studies' systematized by Yeungnam University.

This achievement was made in just over 10 years since the establishment of Yeungnam University Park Chung-hee Saemaul Graduate School in November 2011. Among domestic universities, Yeungnam University Park Chung-hee Saemaul Graduate School is the only graduate school that has hosted international students from 73 countries.

In 2018, two international students from Cuba, a country without diplomatic relations with Korea, enrolled, drawing attention. This shows the global demand for 'Saemaul Studies.'

African international student Makeme from Liberia, Africa, who enrolled in the Park Jung-hee Saemaeul Graduate School at Yeungnam University, and Rosario, an international student from Panama, South America, are taking a photo together.

The international students who recently enrolled at Yeungnam University Park Chung-hee Saemaul Graduate School are Kamara Makemes from Liberia, Africa (majoring in Saemaul International Development), and Herrera Quintero Maria Del Rosario from Panama, South America (majoring in Forest and Environmental Policy).

Why do developing countries from Africa, South America, Asia, and other regions around the world flock to Yeungnam University Park Chung-hee Saemaul Graduate School?

It is because Yeungnam University is the place where one can systematically learn 'Saemaul Studies,' which can be utilized as national development policies, including Korea's development experience, the Saemaul Movement, and Saemaul development principles.

The Saemaul Movement is recognized by the international community, including the UN, as an effective community development model for developing countries. From 2011 to 2019, the United Nations World Food Programme (UN WFP) implemented the 'Saemaul Zero Hunger Communities Project' in developing countries worldwide such as Tanzania, Rwanda, Nepal, and Bangladesh, applying Korea's Saemaul development principles to solve absolute poverty, achieving significant results.

Yeungnam University has accumulated educational and research achievements and know-how in the field of Saemaul development for over 40 years.

It has established institutions such as the Park Chung-hee Saemaul Research Institute, Park Chung-hee Saemaul Graduate School, International Development Cooperation Center, and the Department of Saemaul International Development, as well as undergraduate and graduate programs, research institutes, and specialized training organizations to establish the Saemaul Movement as an academic discipline and to foster talent in the field of Saemaul international development, while promoting various projects.

The reasons for Makemes and Rosario's study abroad are no different. They said, "We came to Yeungnam University to learn about Korea's development experience, the only country that rose from the poorest to an advanced nation, and the foundation of that, the Saemaul Movement," adding, "Development policies combining the Saemaul Movement and Saemaul development principles will greatly help the development of our homeland."

Choi Oechul, president of Yeungnam University, known as the 'Saemaul Evangelist,' said, "I believe Korea's Saemaul Movement can serve as a model for poverty eradication in developing countries as well as a foundation for national development policies. Yeungnam University will share its accumulated educational and research achievements in Saemaul international development with the world," adding, "I hope that talents who have deeply studied Saemaul development at Yeungnam University will contribute not only to the development of developing countries but also to the common prosperity of human society. Yeungnam University will take the lead in creating a happier and safer global community."

Yeungnam University Park Chung-hee Saemaul Graduate School was established in November 2011 to train Saemaul international development experts and regional development experts targeting public officials, policymakers, and public sector workers from developing countries. So far, 853 students from 73 countries have enrolled, 725 students from 66 countries have earned master's degrees, and they are active worldwide as Saemaul international development and regional development experts. As of May 2023, 85 international students from 23 countries are currently enrolled.

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