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4,822 applicants for 808 slots; Biomedical Engineering tops the list at 14.2:1 Strong competition seen in Human Services, Education, and Environmental Engineering YU’s commitment to strengthening youth competencies earns strong recognition [December 31, 2025] Yeungnam University (YU, President CHOI Oe-chool) announced that as of 6:00 p.m. on December 31, the application period for 2026 regular admissions had closed with 4,822 applicants competing for 808 on-quota seats, resulting in an average competition rate of 5.97:1.This marks the highest competition rate on record, surpassing last year’s rate of 5.28:1 (4,508 applicants for 854 seats), with increases seen in both the number of applicants and the overall ratio. Under the General Student Track, the Department of Biomedical Engineering recorded the highest competition rate at 14.2:1, followed by the Department of Human Services (10.75:1), Department of Education (10.4:1), Department of Environmental Engineering (9.86:1), Department of Horticultural Life Science (9.71:1), French Language and Literature Major, School of European Languages and Cultures (9.6:1), School of Global Education (9.0:1), Department of Forest Resources (8.83:1), German Language and Culture Major, School of European Languages and Cultures (8.67:1), Department of Statistics (8.63:1), and Department of Mathematics (8.5:1), all showing notably high competition rates. President CHOI Oe-chool of YU stated, “Following a 100% freshman enrollment rate for the 2025 academic year and a 99% registration rate among successful applicants in the recent 2026 early admissions cycle, achieving the highest competition rate ever in regular admissions indicates that applicants and parents continue to place trust and confidence in YU’s sustained efforts to enhance student competencies, even amid a challenging admissions environment.” He added, “In particular, securing the largest-scale funding in the region through the RISE project and being selected for various financial support programs that provide strong backing for student capacity building have also served as important factors in students choosing YU.” He continued, “Going forward, we will continue to meet the expectations of students and parents by nurturing talent capable of leading the era of advanced industries such as AI and robotics, further strengthening YU’s differentiated educational competitiveness, and dedicating ourselves to cultivating individuals who contribute to making Korea a more refined nation and to the advancement of human society.” Meanwhile, YU will conduct practical skills tests for applicants in the arts and physical education tracks on a scheduled basis: January 20 (Tue) for Group “Na” (School of Physical Education, Department of Visual Communication Design, Department of Industrial Design, and Department of Living Product Design), and January 21 (Wed) for Group “Da” (Department of Special Physical Education). Final admission results will be announced on February 2, 2026 (Mon).
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December 4: Free health checkups provided to 100 undergraduate, graduate, exchange, and language program students at the Health Care Center University–hospital cooperative system established to protect international students’ right to health Strengthening comprehensive academic and living support systems for international students [2025-12-17] Yeungnam University (YU, President CHOI Oe-chool) conducted free health checkups for 100 international students on December 4 at the on-campus Health Care Center. The program was organized in collaboration with Yeungnam University Medical Center to support international students in maintaining a healthy and stable study-abroad experience. A total of 100 international students participated in the checkups, including undergraduate students, general graduate students, Park Chung Hee School of Saemaul graduate students, exchange students, and Korean language program students enrolled in various academic tracks at YU. The initiative has drawn attention as a rare case in which a university independently provides free health checkups for international students. The program is particularly meaningful in that it expands customized welfare support for international students, encompassing not only academics but also their overall daily life and well-being. YU plans to continue supporting a healthy and safe learning environment for international students by improving access to medical services on campus and creating conditions that allow students to focus fully on their studies. Through these efforts, the university is strengthening the foundation for cultivating global talent. LEE Chun-young, Director of International Affairs at YU, stated, “Yeungnam University is committed to providing a healthy and stable study-abroad environment for international students of diverse nationalities. We will continue to further strengthen our support systems so that students can feel secure and concentrate on their academic pursuits on campus.” Meanwhile, the Office of International Affairs at YU operates a wide range of support programs to ensure a stable study-abroad experience for international students. These include: ▲ dedicated counseling and living support programs for international students; ▲ regular and special courses at the Korean Language Institute designed to improve Korean proficiency at each level; ▲ mentoring and tutoring programs to assist with daily adjustment; ▲ the ‘YU Global Festival’ and various cultural experience programs to promote multicultural exchange; ▲ scholarship and academic achievement support systems; and ▲ professional visa and immigration administrative services. Through this comprehensive service framework, YU helps international students adapt smoothly to both academic life and daily living in Korea.
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Wins Excellence Award in project supported by the Korea Heritage Service and hosted by the Korean Association of University Museums Researcher MO Yeo-ra receives Korea Heritage Service Commissioner’s Award for special exhibition curation 32 universities participate; academic re-evaluation of approximately 156,000 previously unprocessed buried cultural artifacts over five years [December 23, 2025] <From left, second—KIM Hyun-jin, Researcher at the YU Museum; LEE Eun-jung, Director of the Museum; MO Yeo-ra, Researcher; WOO Myung-ha, Researcher; KIM Dae-wook, Curatorial Researcher> As 2025 comes to a close, the Yeungnam University (YU, President CHOI Oe-chool) Museum is celebrating a series of remarkable achievements. The Yeungnam University Museum (Director LEE Eun-jung) received the Excellence Award at the performance briefing session of the 2025 Project for the Preservation and Utilization of Unprocessed Buried Cultural Artifacts, held on December 18, 2025, at the auditorium of the Seoul National University Museum. The award recognized the museum’s contributions to rediscovering the value of long-forgotten artifacts. In addition, MO Yeo-ra, a researcher at the YU Museum, was honored with the Korea Heritage Service Commissioner’s Award for curating a special exhibition showcasing the outcomes of the project. <Researcher MO Yeo-ra of the Yeungnam University Museum receives the Korea Heritage Service Commissioner’s Award (fourth from the left)> The Project for the Preservation and Utilization of Unprocessed Buried Cultural Artifacts, supported by the Korea Heritage Service and hosted by the Korean Association of University Museums, was implemented from 2020 to 2025 with a total budget of KRW 15.6 billion.A total of 32 university museums nationwide participated, academically re-evaluating and organizing approximately 156,000 unprocessed artifacts excavated from 360 archaeological sites. The project has been widely recognized for its significant contribution to expanding the research foundation for buried cultural heritage. As part of this initiative, the Yeungnam University Museum organized and documented 1,628 artifact cases comprising 2,199 items from the ancient Apdok Kingdom that had been excavated in three phases—in 1982, 1988, and from 1989 to 1990—in the Imdang-dong and Joyeong-dong areas of Gyeongsan, but had remained unexamined for more than 30 years. The museum published three volumes of excavation reports and completed the transfer of approximately 1,400 artifacts to the Daegu National Museum in December 2025 following the state ownership attribution process. In addition, from July 11 to October 24, 2025, the museum hosted a joint special exhibition titled “A Long Wait, Stepping Out of the Storage” in collaboration with ten university museums in the Yeongnam region. The exhibition presented 233 previously unprocessed artifacts that had never been displayed to the public, providing an opportunity to share their historical and cultural significance. Researcher MO Yeo-ra, who played a leading role in organizing the exhibition, was awarded the Korea Heritage Service Commissioner’s Award in recognition of this achievement. Director LEE Eun-jung of the Yeungnam University Museum (Professor, Department of Cultural Anthropology) stated, “Unprocessed artifacts are not devoid of value; they are simply artifacts that have not yet had the opportunity to be systematically studied. We will continue to excavate, research, and widely promote the value of these cultural assets of our nation, contributing to the establishment of Korea’s stature as a ‘cultural powerhouse’ through the role of a university museum.”
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Two laboratories recognized for top-tier laboratory safety management Outstanding Certified Laboratory selected, followed by a series of ministerial commendations Continued awards for promoting laboratory safety culture and excellence in best-practice competitions [December 24, 2025] <The “Energy Management and Storage Technology Laboratory,” certified as an Outstanding Laboratory Safety Management> Yeungnam University (YU, President CHOI Oe-chool) has once again demonstrated its nationally leading competitiveness in laboratory safety management. YU announced on the 26th that two of its laboratories were certified as Outstanding Laboratories for Safety Management, marking 12 consecutive years of government certification since 2014. <The “Nano Chemistry Laboratory,” certified as an Outstanding Laboratory Safety Management> The laboratories certified this year as Outstanding Laboratories for Safety Management are ▲the Nano Chemistry Laboratory (Department of Chemistry, Prof. KIM Young-soo) and ▲the Energy Management and Storage Technology Laboratory (Department of Future Automotive Engineering, Prof. KANG Seok-won). The Outstanding Laboratory Safety Management Certification Program is a government-administered system that grants official certification to science and technology laboratories at universities and research institutions based on a comprehensive evaluation of their safety management standards, operational systems, and safety awareness of researchers. The certification is valid for a period of two years. Notably, the Energy Management and Storage Technology Laboratory was additionally selected this year as an Outstanding Certified Laboratory, the highest distinction within the certification system, and received a Ministerial Commendation from the Ministry of Science and ICT. Including this achievement, YU has produced a total of four Outstanding Certified Laboratories, following previous selections in 2017 (Energy & Advanced Materials Engineering Laboratory), 2018 (Functional Polymer Materials Laboratory), and 2021 (Nano Chemistry Laboratory). In 2025, only nine institutions nationwide—across universities, government-funded research institutes, and corporate research centers—were selected as Outstanding Certified Laboratories, with only three universities, including YU, making the list. <Prof. HONG Cheol-am of the Department of Chemistry receiving the 2025 Laboratory Safety Merit Award> Individual achievements contributing to the spread of laboratory safety culture were also recognized.Prof. HONG Cheol-am (Department of Chemistry) was selected as a 2025 Laboratory Safety Merit Awardee and received a Ministerial Commendation from the Ministry of Science and ICT.Since 2020, Prof. Hong has operated an Outstanding Laboratory for Safety Management, establishing a systematic safety management framework through initiatives such as the introduction of an Open Lab system, and has been widely recognized for his contributions to fostering a culture of laboratory safety. The award ceremony was held last November at the Inchon Memorial Hall of Korea University. <Graduate student SO Min-seo, winner of the Excellence Award at the 2025 Laboratory Safety Best Practices Competition> Student achievements were equally notable.SO Min-seo, a master’s student, received the Excellence Award at the 8th 2025 Laboratory Safety Best Practices Competition for her outstanding case study on pre-hazard risk analysis in laboratories, earning the Director’s Award of the National Research Safety Management Agency.With this recognition, YU has produced a total of six awardees in this competition, continuing its strong performance in the field of laboratory safety best practices. YU plans to further advance its laboratory safety management system and strengthen institutional support to ensure that all members can conduct research in a safe and secure environment.
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Wins the 12th Michael Porter Prize in the “University Competitiveness” Category Recognized for Global Education Achievements and International Cooperation Grounded in Saemaul Studies Sets a Model for University Innovation and Global Engagement by Cultivating Talent for Global Contribution [December 10, 2025] <YU won the 12th Michael Porter Prize in the University Competitiveness category. (Right: YU President CHOI Oe-chool)> Yeungnam University (YU, President CHOI Oe-chool) was selected as the winning institution in the University Competitiveness category at the 12th Michael Porter Prize Awards Ceremony, held on December 4 at The Shilla Seoul in Seoul. With this achievement, following wins in 2023 and 2024, YU has secured the prize for three consecutive years and earned a place in the prestigious Hall of Fame. The Michael Porter Prize is a highly respected award presented to institutions that create both economic and social value, based on the competitive strategy theories of Professor Michael Porter of Harvard University, a world-renowned scholar in management.The prize is co-hosted by the Institute for Industrial Policy Studies, BEST Forum, The Dong-A Ilbo, and Channel A, and is sponsored by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Korea Council of Multinational Companies (KCMC). It recognizes outstanding competitiveness across a wide range of sectors, including nations, cities, industries, corporations, and universities. Notably, the “Competitiveness” category was newly established this year, and Yeungnam University was selected as the inaugural recipient, presenting a new benchmark for university innovation. This award drew particular attention as it recognized that YU’s long-established CSV and ESG management models form the foundation of its university competitiveness.In particular, the integrated governance system built around the president—linking ▲the Park Chung Hee School of Policy and Saemaul (PSPS), ▲the Institute for International Development Cooperation (IIDC), ▲the Social Contribution Group, the ESG Committee, and ▲the ESG Innovation Center—received high praise. Through this system, YU has effectively translated its educational, research, and social contribution functions into tangible social value, thereby substantively strengthening its institutional competitiveness. The judging panel also highly evaluated YU’s success in institutionalizing a system for social value creation across education, research, and industry–academia cooperation, based on its accumulated glocal CSV capabilities and ESG-leading governance. In addition, YU was cited for establishing a standard model of university innovation through data-driven operational capacity and the global dissemination of its achievements. <YU enters the Hall of Fame after winning the Michael Porter Prize for three consecutive years.> In particular, YU stood out for its global capacity-building efforts based on Korea’s education ODA model. Over the past 14 years, the university has trained approximately 1,000 master’s degree students from 77 countries worldwide. Including short-term training programs related to the Saemaul Movement, YU has provided education and training to approximately 4,400 overseas public officials and experts from 94 countries, including those affiliated with international organizations, systematically sharing Korea’s development experience and Saemaul studies.A representative case demonstrating the effectiveness of YU’s university management was highlighted by the fact that public officials and experts from various countries have applied the action plans developed at YU to government policies, public development projects, and regional development plans upon returning to their home countries. In addition, cooperation with overseas universities, expansion of alumni networks, and overseas field-based volunteer and consulting programs were also highly evaluated. Furthermore, YU has institutionalized the application of “Saemaul Spirit 2.0”—which adds sharing, service, and creativity to the traditional values of diligence, self-help, and cooperation—into its university management and educational programs. This includes customized policy development education for leaders from developing countries, community-linked social contribution models, and data-driven ESG disclosure systems. Such systematic operations have been recognized not only for enhancing university competitiveness but also for presenting a university model that contributes to shared growth with the nation, regions, and the global community. President CHOI Oe-chool stated, “YU has advanced the Saemaul Movement—an embodiment of the founding philosophy of Hongik Ingan (benefiting humanity)—by systematizing it into ‘Saemaul Studies’ and developing practical programs that integrate education, research, and social contribution, thereby contributing to the international community.” He added, “This award represents meaningful recognition of the sustained efforts and achievements accumulated by YU and its participating faculty in sharing and advancing Saemaul Studies.” He continued, “In particular, winning in the ‘University Competitiveness’ category and entering the Hall of Fame with three consecutive Michael Porter Prizes demonstrate that the university management system established by YU has become a best-practice model for education ODA and sustainable management.” He concluded by saying, “Going forward, based on Korea’s development experience and Saemaul Studies, we will continue to make every effort to widely share theoretical and practical knowledge through education, contributing to solving issues faced by the global community and to the shared prosperity of humanity.”
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Developed by Professor CHOI Jeong-soo of the Department of Robotics Engineering… Poised to Set a New Standard for Healthcare Robots AI Robot “SEGYM” Without Weight Plates Achieves Electronic Control of Up to 380 kg A Successful Model of Faculty Entrepreneurship at YU… Emerging as a Global Player Just Three Years After Founding [December 8, 2025] <The CES Innovation Award–winning product is HUMANICS’ cutting-edge AI fitness robot, “SEGYM.”> HUMANICS Co., Ltd., an AI healthcare robotics company founded by Professor CHOI Jeong-soo of the Department of Robotics Engineering at Yeungnam University (YU) (President CHOI Oe-chool), has won an Innovation Award in the Robotics category at CES 2026, the world’s largest information technology (IT) and consumer electronics exhibition. This marks the company’s second consecutive win, following its Innovation Award in the Fitness category at CES 2025, underscoring once again the global technological competitiveness of a university faculty–founded startup. The CES Innovation Awards are presented annually by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) to the most innovative technologies and products exhibited at CES, which is held each year in Las Vegas, USA. Winners are selected through a comprehensive evaluation of technological excellence, design, and innovation. The award-winning product is HUMANICS’ advanced AI fitness robot, “SEGYM.” Instead of conventional heavy metal weight plates, SEGYM utilizes high-performance motors to electronically control loads of up to 380 kg (based on the super-strong model). Users can precisely adjust the weight in 1 kg increments with a simple button touch, and a single machine enables more than 80 different exercises, including deadlifts, bench presses, and squats. A key factor behind this award is HUMANICS’ proprietary “sensorless (force estimation) algorithm” and “human-in-the-loop” control technology. These technologies enable the system to detect a user’s force and intent in real time at 1 ms (one-thousandth of a second) intervals without the need for physical sensors, thereby delivering responsive and adaptive resistance. This allows multiple training modes—such as isometric and isokinetic exercises—to be performed safely within a single system. In addition, the solution is integrated with HUMANICS’ dedicated app, “HUMANIA,” which provides precise analysis of body performance metrics such as strength, speed, and balance. The system has been adopted in elite sports settings, including the Jincheon National Training Center and the SSG Landers, where it has demonstrated its excellence by contributing to performance enhancement and injury prevention. <Professor CHOI Jeong-soo of the Department of Robotics Engineering at YU> Professor CHOI Jeong-soo, a faculty member of the Department of Robotics Engineering at YU and CEO of HUMANICS, stated, “SEGYM is a product that completely redefines the exercise experience by integrating hardware, data, and coaching into a single platform.” He added, “Building on the technological credibility validated by the CES Innovation Award, SEGYM will become a new standard in the global fitness market.” Professor CHOI, who joined YU’s Department of Robotics Engineering in March 2019, is recognized as one of Korea’s leading emerging scientists in robotics research. He received the Presidential Award at the Korea Invention Patent Exhibition in 2017 for his patent on a multi-legged locomotion robot, and the Korean Iron Man robot “WalkON Suit 4,” in whose development he directly participated, won a gold medal at the Cybathlon 2020, achieving world-class recognition. HUMANICS, which he founded in 2022 based on the research outcomes of YU’s Department of Robotics Engineering, has, within just three years of its establishment, won CES Innovation Awards for two consecutive years and received multiple honors, including the G-Star Award (Governor of Gyeongsangbuk-do Award), selection for the TIPS R&D Global Track, and designation as a Korea Technology Finance Corporation (KOTEC) U-TECH Valley company. As such, HUMANICS is widely regarded as a successful model of industry–academia cooperation driven by faculty entrepreneurship.
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The Government of Sierra Leone Requests the Sharing of Saemaul Studies through Its Ambassador Building a Sustainable Development Model Linking Education, Research, and Training Two Ambassadorial Visits and In-Depth Discussions Lead to Institutional Cooperation [December 16, 2025] <From center left: Paul Sobba Massaquoi, Ambassador of Sierra Leone to Korea; CHOI Oe-chool, President of YU> Paul Sobba Massaquoi, Ambassador of Sierra Leone to the Republic of Korea, revisited Yeungnam University (YU, President CHOI Oe-chool) on December 12. On the same day, YU signed an agreement in the main conference room of the university headquarters to strengthen cooperation with Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Technical and Higher Education and to establish a collaborative framework for human resource development and community development in Sierra Leone. The signing ceremony was attended by CHOI Oe-chool, President of YU; LEE Kyung-soo, Vice President for External Affairs; LEE Chun-young, Director of International Affairs; and LEE Jeong-ju, Dean of the Park Chung Hee School of Policy and Saemaul (PSPS). Representatives from Sierra Leone included Ambassador Paul Sobba Massaquoi; Agnes Mbayo, Acting First Secretary; Michaella Bonnie, Information Officer; and David Ceesay, an alumnus of PSPS. Through this agreement, the two parties agreed to pursue substantive cooperation linking higher education with community development. Key areas of cooperation include: ▲ collaboration to establish departments related to Saemaul economic development or Saemaul community development in Sierra Leone and identification of partner universities; ▲ cooperation in training faculty members and strengthening human resource capacity for operating such departments; ▲ establishment of Saemaul Movement research and training centers within Sierra Leonean universities to serve as hubs for education and research; and ▲ promotion of surveys, research, academic seminars, and joint research projects aimed at improving quality of life and fostering community development. Ambassador Massaquoi stated, “I sincerely thank Yeungnam University and President CHOI Oe-chool for willingly joining hands with the Government of Sierra Leone,” adding, “YU’s open approach to sharing the experience of the Saemaul Movement and Saemaul Studies clearly demonstrates its commitment to cooperation for sustainable, community-driven development.” He continued, “This memorandum of understanding is particularly meaningful as it marks the starting point for officially introducing Saemaul Movement–based community programs into Sierra Leone’s education and governance systems.” He further expressed his expectation that “grounded in the core Saemaul values of diligence, self-help, and cooperation, together with the principles of sharing, service, and creativity, the Saemaul Movement will enhance community capacity, foster character development among youth, and improve the efficiency and transparency of local administration, ultimately leading to sustainable development and an improved quality of life.” In addition, Ambassador Massaquoi conveyed that, on behalf of the President of Sierra Leone, he intends to formally invite President CHOI Oe-chool to Sierra Leone to share Saemaul Studies.It was reported that the President of Sierra Leone hopes to meet President CHOI in person to review the outcomes of this cooperation on site and further strengthen bilateral cooperation in education and development. President CHOI Oe-chool of YU remarked, “The Saemaul Movement, which realized the spirit of Hongik Ingan (弘益人間, ‘benefiting all humankind’) through public policy, represents a crucial experience that enabled Korea to overcome poverty and achieve national development. Saemaul Studies, which systematizes this experience academically, has been recognized internationally for its value and effectiveness.” He added, “Yeungnam University will actively share the Saemaul development experience and research results accumulated to date for the national development of Sierra Leone.” President CHOI continued, “We will work closely to ensure that the establishment of Saemaul Studies programs and related education and research activities can be fully implemented in Sierra Leone, while gradually expanding training programs for public officials, community leaders, and future talents. We will engage responsibly to ensure that this cooperation leads to tangible change and meaningful outcomes on the ground.” Meanwhile, this agreement represents the culmination of ongoing exchanges and discussions between the two parties. During his first visit in December 2024, the Ambassador of Sierra Leone to Korea expressed strong interest in YU’s achievements in Saemaul Studies and community development and discussed the potential application of the Saemaul Movement and Saemaul Studies in Sierra Leone. During a subsequent visit in April 2025, more concrete discussions were held regarding the establishment of Saemaul Studies departments, the development of research and training systems, and strategies for human resource development. Building on these discussions, the present agreement was concluded, and YU and Sierra Leone are expected to continue expanding cooperation across education, research, and community development in the years ahead.
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Four Apparel and Fashion Design students form a team, achieving results through a major-based problem-solving project Wins top excellence prize for analysis and development proposal of Korean-style wildfire firefighting suits Demonstrates hands-on, major-linked project capabilities with tangible, product-based improvement proposals [December 9, 2025] <From left: PARK Ji-won, LEE Ji-hae, CHAE Hye-rin, and RYU Su-min, students of the Department of Apparel and Fashion Design> Students from the Department of Apparel and Fashion Design at Yeungnam University (YU, President CHOI Oe-chool) won the Top Excellence Prize (Minister of Employment and Labor Award) in the Youth Project category at the “2025 Future Tomorrow Work Experience Best Practice Contest.” The awards ceremony was held on November 24 at the JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul. The contest, jointly organized by the Ministry of Employment and Labor and the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, is held annually to discover and disseminate outstanding cases from youths, companies, and operating institutions participating in the Future Tomorrow Work Experience Support Program. It serves as a national platform where young participants present and compete with projects carried out to solve real-world problems in actual work settings. The YU student team—comprising CHAE Hye-rin, LEE Ji-hae, RYU Su-min, and PARK Ji-won from the Department of Apparel and Fashion Design—carried out a project titled “Product Analysis and Development Proposal for Korean-Style Wildfire Firefighting Suits for Natural Disaster Response” in collaboration with the participating company TAK Textile Co., Ltd. Their project earned the highest evaluation, leading to the Top Excellence Prize. Focusing on the growing frequency of wildfires and large-scale natural disasters driven by global warming and climate change, the students highlighted the importance of protective equipment for disaster response personnel. They conducted a systematic analysis of wildfire firefighting suits currently used in Korea, examining structural design, materials, and functional performance.In particular, they closely investigated safety-critical elements such as thermal protection performance, weight and mobility, ease of wear, pocket and equipment layout, as well as visibility, waterproofing, and breathability, identifying on-site inconveniences and areas requiring improvement. Based on these findings, the team proposed a Korean-style wildfire firefighting suit that significantly enhances practicality and wearability by integrating the strengths of industrial safety wear and outdoor apparel. Their incorporation of field requirements, reflected through interviews with actual firefighting personnel, received high praise from the judges. CHAE Hye-rin, the team’s representative student, said, “Although wildfire firefighting suits are a highly specialized and complex field, we learned a great deal by intensely discussing everything from data research and physical product analysis to improvement design as a team.” She added, “I deeply realized that fashion can go beyond aesthetic expression and become an important technology that protects human life. I am sincerely grateful to our professors and all those involved for providing us with this valuable opportunity.”
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On the 28th, YU Hosts the 2025 Global Saemaul Undong Forum Under the theme of ‘Tasks and Directions for Global Sharing of Saemaul Undong and Saemaul Studies’ Experts from 29 Countries Including Ambassadors from Ethiopia, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, and International Organizations CHOI Oe-chool, YU President: “Sharing Saemaul Undong to Realize the Spirit of Hongik Ingan” [November 28, 2025] YU (President CHOI Oe-chool) hosted the 2025 Global Saemaul Undong Forum on November 28 at the Cheonma Art Center. This year’s forum, themed “Tasks and Directions for Global Sharing of Saemaul Undong and Saemaul Studies,” was organized to bring together experts and practitioners from around the world to share experiences of Saemaul Undong development and the academic framework of Saemaul Studies with the international community, presenting the university’s future vision of fostering talent that contributes to the advancement of humanity. The event was attended by CHOI Oe-chool, President of YU; LEE Kyung-soo, Vice President for Strategic Planning; KIM Sam-soo, Vice President for Industry-Academic Collaboration; LEE Seung-jong, Director of GSDN (Distinguished Professor at YU); Dessie Dalkie Dukamo, Ambassador of Ethiopia to Korea; Nkubito Manzi Bakuramutsa, Ambassador of Rwanda to Korea; Paul Sobba Massaquoi, Ambassador of Sierra Leone to Korea; and Alpha Ibrahima Thiam, Chargé d’Affaires of Mauritania to Korea, among other distinguished diplomatic representatives. <From left, third from the left — Alpha Ibrahima Thiam (Chargé d’Affaires of Mauritania to Korea), Nkubito Manzi Bakuramutsa (Ambassador of Rwanda to Korea), CHOI Oe-chool (YU President), Dessie Dalkie Dukamo (Ambassador of Ethiopia to Korea), Paul Sobba Massaquoi (Ambassador of Sierra Leone to Korea)> Following the opening ceremony, the first keynote lecture was delivered by PARK Seung-woo (YU Distinguished Professor and Director of GSDN), who presented “Development and Implications of Saemaul Studies,” outlining the systematic development process of Saemaul Studies and future research directions. The second keynote lecture was delivered by Dessie Dalkie Dukamo, Ambassador of Ethiopia to Korea, who presented “Policy Case of Applying Saemaul Undong for the Development of Ethiopia,” detailing practical examples of Saemaul Undong contributing to local development initiatives. During the afternoon session, discussions continued on the achievements and future strategies of global development cooperation utilizing Saemaul Undong. In Session 1, themed “Cases of Applying Saemaul Undong for Promoting Development in Developing Countries,” LIM Hyung-joon, Head of the UN WFP Malawi Office, delivered a keynote presentation, with Ambassador Nkubito Manzi Bakuramutsa participating as a panelist to share experiences of expanding Saemaul Undong in African regions. In Session 2, themed “Tasks and Directions for Sharing Saemaul Studies in Developing Countries,” LEE Sang-ho, Director of the Institute for International Development Cooperation (IIDC), presented, followed by a discussion led by KIM Yang-jin, Director of the Gyeongbuk International Development Cooperation Center, who discussed strategies for expanding Saemaul Studies. Session 3 featured presentations on “Cases of Sharing Achievements of Saemaul Undong with the International Community,” highlighting its global applications. The final comprehensive discussion included OH Chang-kyun (GDF Director), LEE Kyung-soo (YU Vice President), MOON Sang-won (KOICA Director of Project Strategy and Planning), and YU Professor SEO Yong-won, along with Ambassadors Paul Sobba Massaquoi and Alpha Ibrahima Thiam, who engaged in broad discussions on the global dissemination of Saemaul Undong and Saemaul Studies. President CHOI Oe-chool of YU stated, “Saemaul Undong is a development model that has contributed to expanding humane living conditions beyond eras and national borders, and it continues to receive international recognition. Regardless of race, religion, gender, occupation, or place of residence, every individual has the right to live with dignity, and such an environment must be ensured. Saemaul Undong is a model that best embodies the philosophy of Hongik Ingan (弘益人間—benefiting all humanity).” He continued, “Creating a world where all 8 billion human beings can live dignified lives is a shared responsibility and aspiration for all of us. If we actively interact and cooperate beyond regions and nations, humanity will become even more deeply connected over the next 50 or 100 years. I hope this forum becomes a meaningful platform to share and expand these values and philosophies. I also hope it provides an opportunity to recognize and share YU’s efforts to systematically organize Korea’s development experience and institutionalize it as Saemaul Studies for global dissemination. YU will continue to dedicate itself to nurturing global contributors who tackle common challenges of humanity and build a more dignified and attractive Republic of Korea.”
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Ranked 7th Nationwide for “Top 2% Highly Cited Papers per Faculty Member” in Life Sciences & Chemistry in the 2025 JoongAng Ilbo University Rankings Selected as an ‘Excellent University’ in Both Mathematics·Physics and Life Sciences·Chemistry, Strengthening Its Status as a Leader in Basic Science [December 4, 2025] YU (President CHOI Oe-chool) has reaffirmed its strong research competitiveness in the natural sciences through the 2025 JoongAng Ilbo University Rankings, establishing itself as a top-tier research-oriented university in Korea. In this year’s evaluation, YU ranked 7th nationwide in “Top 2% Highly Cited Papers per Faculty Member” in the field of Life Sciences & Chemistry. This performance places the university shoulder to shoulder with Korea’s leading research-focused institutions. This indicator represents a major measure of research quality, calculated by dividing the number of papers belonging to the top 2% most cited worldwide by the number of faculty members. YU produced 147 highly cited papers in the top 2% category, demonstrating strong research capabilities. Additionally, in the field-based evaluation of natural sciences, YU was selected as an ‘Excellent University’ in both Mathematics·Physics and Life Sciences·Chemistry, proving its balanced research competency across fundamental science. This is considered a significant achievement for a regional base university amid intense competition dominated by metropolitan and specialized institutions in natural sciences. YU has consistently pursued its “Basic Science Advancement Strategy” through: ▲ Expansion of advanced fundamental science research equipment ▲ Securing large-scale national research projects ▲ Strengthening international collaborative research and joint academic journal exchanges. This outcome is especially noteworthy as it reflects the results of long-term investment and research ecosystem innovation. KIM Sam-soo, Vice President for Industry-Academia Research, stated, “This achievement is the result of collective efforts by our faculty, researchers, and university members to elevate YU’s research competitiveness to an international level,” adding, “Going forward, YU will continue to strengthen research competitiveness not only in natural sciences but also in future strategic technology fields such as AI, biotechnology, and semiconductors.” YU continues to expand its influence as a leading research-oriented university representing Korea beyond the regional level, and particularly in the natural sciences, it is solidifying its position as a “powerhouse in basic science.”
- PR team
- 2025. 12. 11
- 2025. 12. 04
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