GIST Conducts IT Volunteering in Laos and Cambodia with 'AI Coding and Korean Culture'

Understanding Diverse Cultures...
A Foundation for Growth as Global Talents

The GIST World Friends Korea IT Volunteer Group is taking a commemorative photo at the airport before departure. Photo by GIST

Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) announced on the 7th that 28 undergraduate students selected as members of the World Friends Korea (WFK) IT Volunteer Group were dispatched to Laos and Cambodia during the summer vacation, where they engaged in social contribution activities through information technology education and cultural exchange.

This volunteer dispatch was organized to help bridge the educational gap in developing countries by leveraging GIST's IT expertise and the capabilities of young talents, while also providing students with opportunities to experience the value of sharing and responsibility as global citizens.

A total of 16 students were dispatched to Laos, divided into four teams, and worked in the capital city Vientiane and Vang Vieng region for three weeks from July 14 to August 1.

The volunteer group conducted IT education (3D graphic design, AI, website development projects, MS Office, coding), Korean culture (K-pop, cooking, traditional games, etc.), and Korean language classes for about 100 local middle and high school students and public officials at the Vientiane Capital Skills Development Center in the capital city of Vientiane▲and Vangvieng Ethnic School in Vang Vieng.

The "Helper's High Team" and "LOKO Team" focused on 3D graphic design, AI, and website development at the Vientiane Capital Skills Development Center. The "SARAD Team" (led by Seo Seungwan) and the "Laosnap Team" (led by Lee Nayoon) taught MS Office, video editing, and coding at the Vangvieng Ethnic School.

In Cambodia, 12 students formed three teams and conducted educational volunteer activities at Sasarsdam High School in Siem Reap for three weeks from July 16 to August 5.

The "G.I.S.T Team," "Gbongi Team," and "Saengsaengi Team" provided IT lectures including AI, Python, and 3D printer training, as well as Korean culture and Korean language classes such as K-pop, cooking, and traditional games, for 92 students of Sasarsdam High School.

GIST is also strengthening its foundation for ongoing cooperation with local institutions as a result of this overseas dispatch. To this end, Vice President for External Affairs Jung Yonghwa visited Laos and Cambodia last month, encouraged the volunteer students, and attended a donation ceremony.

The GIST Development Foundation donated goods worth a total of 5 million KRW (including 200 portable fans and school supplies) to educational institutions in Laos and Cambodia, where students are highly motivated but face poor educational environments, in connection with the volunteer dispatch.

Vice President for External Affairs Jung Yonghwa said, "I am proud to see GIST students practicing the sharing of IT knowledge beyond borders and growing as global talents," and added, "We will continue to expand GIST's global leadership through ongoing international exchange and social contribution activities."

President Lim Gicheol stated, "Overseas volunteer activities are a valuable opportunity for students to understand diverse cultures, communicate with local communities, and develop global competencies," and continued, "GIST will continue to expand various international exchange and volunteer opportunities so that students can practice sharing and fulfill their social responsibilities on the global stage."

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