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Strengthening Global Networks Through Visits to Key Partner Institutions and Development Cooperation Sites Ahead of YU’s 80th Anniversary PSPS Alumni, Including a Deputy Director-General of Laos’s Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and Directors at Bangladesh’s BARD, Playing Key Roles in Rural Development in Their Home Countries Global Standing Affirmed by WURI Leadership Ranking No. 4 Worldwide and THE Impact Rankings No. 47 Worldwide in SDG 17 [July 22, 2026] <An introduction to the achievements of YU’s Park Chung Hee School of Policy and Saemaul alumni working at the Bangladesh Academy for Rural Development (BARD), including policy reports> Ahead of its 80th anniversary, Yeungnam University (President CHOI Oe-chool) sent a delegation from the Park Chung Hee School of Policy and Saemaul (PSPS), comprising Director LEE Jeong-ju, Deputy Director YOON Seok-min, and Administrative Director LEE Jung-chun, to key development cooperation sites in Southeast and South Asia, where the delegation confirmed tangible results of the university’s global talent development programs. The PSPS delegation recently visited key partner institutions, including Laos’s Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the KOICA Laos Office, the Bangladesh Academy for Rural Development (BARD), and Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), further strengthening its international cooperation network and meeting with alumni who are playing leading roles in the development of their respective countries. The visit was organized to assess how PSPS’s founding mission and educational objective of “developing problem-solving talent to overcome poverty and promote shared development in developing countries,” which it has pursued over the past 15 years, are being realized in actual global development settings. It also served as an opportunity to strengthen cooperation with local alumni networks and expand PSPS’s sustainable graduate-school operations and practical international cooperation model. <Yeungnam University’s Park Chung Hee School of Policy and Saemaul discusses cooperation measures with the Department of Agricultural Promotion and Cooperatives of Laos’s Ministry of Agriculture and Environment> The delegation first visited the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment of Laos, where it met with senior officials from the Department of Rural Development and Poverty Reduction and the Department of Agricultural Promotion and Cooperatives to discuss concrete cooperation measures for rural development and agricultural innovation. The two sides agreed to pursue multifaceted policy exchanges, including sharing Korea’s successful Saemaul Undong experience, strengthening the capacity of public officials, conducting joint research, and operating education and training programs. Notably, PSPS graduates are serving as key senior officials in the Department of Agricultural Promotion and Cooperatives, playing a vital bridging role in the formulation of national rural development policies. The delegation also visited the KOICA Laos Office to identify local development cooperation needs and explore the possibility of jointly developing new development cooperation projects by linking them with PSPS’s educational and research capabilities. Currently, Laotian alumni of PSPS are serving as key personnel in government agencies, including the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, as well as in the public sector. <Yeungnam University’s Park Chung Hee School of Policy and Saemaul discusses cooperation measures with the Department of Rural Development and Poverty Reduction of Laos’s Ministry of Agriculture and Environment> During its visit to BARD (Bangladesh Academy for Rural Development), a leading institution specializing in rural development in Bangladesh, the delegation agreed to further elevate the level of cooperation while automatically extending the existing memorandum of understanding. A large number of PSPS graduates currently hold senior positions at BARD, including Director-level posts. Drawing on the Saemaul Undong and regional development theories they learned in Korea, these alumni have continuously published research reports, academic papers, and professional books, taking the lead in improving the quality of Bangladesh’s rural development policies. During a meeting with the delegation, local alumni expressed their deep pride in being able to play a leading role in overcoming poverty and building a safer and happier society in their home country, thanks to the problem-solving capabilities they acquired at PSPS. The delegation then visited Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), where it met with President Dr. A K Fazlul Haque Bhuiyan, the Head of the Department of Agricultural Education and Extension, and seven faculty members, and agreed to further promote academic exchanges, including joint research, faculty and student exchanges, and international collaborative research. <LEE Jeong-ju, Director of Yeungnam University’s Park Chung Hee School of Policy and Saemaul, discusses academic exchange with Dr. A K Fazlul Haque Bhuiyan, President of Bangladesh Agricultural University> These global educational achievements of PSPS have drawn further attention in conjunction with Yeungnam University’s recent results in global university rankings.In the WURI ranking for Visionary Leadership, YU rose from No. 35 worldwide in 2024 to No. 23 in 2025 and No. 4 in 2026, demonstrating that its achievements in developing global talent based on Saemaul Studies are being recognized internationally. YU also made its debut in the 2026 Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings, entering the 101–200 global band overall. In particular, it ranked joint No. 47 worldwide in SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), earning recognition for its outstanding global partnership capabilities. <Yeungnam University’s Park Chung Hee School of Policy and Saemaul discusses ODA projects, including the Saemaul Undong, with the KOICA Laos Office> President CHOI Oe-chool of Yeungnam University, who established the Saemaul Undong as “Saemaul Studies,” a normal science, currently serves as a development advisor to local governments in Cambodia and Ethiopia. He has also supported the establishment of country-specific academic departments based on Saemaul Studies at more than 20 universities around the world, including departments of Saemaul Studies, Saemaul Economics and Development, Saemaul Community Development, and Forest, Saemaul and Sustainable Development. In this way, YU’s international cooperation model is rapidly evolving beyond simple talent development into a practical model integrating education, research, and policy advisory services. PSPS’s international cooperation assets are also expected to become a key growth driver in YU’s long-term initiative to establish a global university ESG evaluation system. <Encouraging the activities of the Laos Alumni Association of Yeungnam University’s Park Chung Hee School of Policy and Saemaul> LEE Jeong-ju, Director of PSPS and head of the delegation, said, “This visit was deeply meaningful, as we were able to see firsthand that the global leaders trained by our graduate school have grown into key figures leading national development in their respective countries through government, academia, and research.” He added, “Going forward, we will further develop into a global education and research institution that integrates education, research, and policy advisory services to contribute to solving common challenges facing the global community and to make a tangible contribution to sustainable development (SDGs) in developing countries.” Established in 2011, Yeungnam University’s Park Chung Hee School of Policy and Saemaul has produced more than 1,000 global leaders from 81 countries over the past 15 years, including officials from eight international organizations such as the World Bank and the United Nations World Food Programme (UN WFP). It has established itself as a leading global educational institution in Korea dedicated to overcoming global poverty and promoting shared prosperity for humanity.
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Anchor Project Performance-Sharing Forum Held on the 20th … Full-Scale Development of Talent for Regional Settlement Begins 18 Competitive and Policy-Linked Projects Progressing Steadily … 30 of 33 Performance Indicators Achieve 100% or More Presenting Regional Innovation Models in Future Mobility, Entrepreneurship, Industry Collaboration, and Saemaul Studies Specialization [July 21, 2026] <Yeungnam University held a performance-sharing forum for the Regional Growth Talent Development System project jointly with the Gyeongbuk Anchor Center on the 20th> Yeungnam University (President CHOI Oe-chool) is achieving outstanding results through the Regional Growth Talent Development System (Anchor Project, formerly RISE) supported by Gyeongsangbuk-do, further developing a regional innovation model in which the region, university, and businesses grow together. Based on the achievements and best practices accumulated over the past year, YU plans to accelerate the creation and dissemination of results in the second year of the project. The university is expected to further accelerate the establishment of a virtuous cycle that promotes youth development and settlement in the region, business innovation, and the sustainable development of both the university and the region. YU jointly held an Anchor Project Performance-Sharing Forum with the Gyeongbuk Anchor Center at Hotel Inter-Burgo on the 20th. The forum was held to share the achievements of the first year of the project and explore strategies for disseminating its results and advancing the project going forward. Rather than serving simply as a report on performance, the forum was designed to assess the role YU has played and the achievements it has made within the policy objectives and direction of the Anchor Project promoted by Gyeongsangbuk-do, and to use these achievements as a foundation for developing a more systematic and scalable project model. The Gyeongsangbuk-do Anchor Project focuses on creating a virtuous cycle in which young people attend universities in the region, obtain employment at local companies, and ultimately settle in the region. At the heart of the project is close collaboration among universities, industry, research institutions, and local governments to secure new growth engines for the region and establish a foundation for sustainable development. In line with these objectives, YU is organically connecting education, entrepreneurship, industry-academia collaboration, and global cooperation to simultaneously foster customized talent and drive industrial innovation. YU has been recognized for translating the objectives and goals of the Anchor Project into tangible results through its first-year implementation. The results are clearly demonstrated by the numbers. YU carried out a total of 18 projects, including 11 competitive projects and seven policy-linked projects, and achieved 100% or more of the target in 30 of 33 performance indicators, including student and faculty entrepreneurship, student employment, joint research among local governments, industry, academia, and research institutions, and the development of industry-linked curricula. As a result, all major key projects received the highest-level “A” grade in the first-year evaluation, while the university secured the largest amount of additional project funding among universities in Gyeongsangbuk-do, objectively demonstrating the effectiveness of the project. This is particularly significant in that YU has successfully established a regional innovation operating model for a large comprehensive university, going beyond simple project implementation. One of the most notable achievements was YU’s selection as an AI-focused university under the “Gyeongbuk Strategic Industry Anchor University” initiative launched by Gyeongsangbuk-do this year. YU has embraced this opportunity as a powerful driver of regional innovation and declared a clear vision of becoming a “Leading University Driving the Regional AI Transformation.” Its goals and implementation strategies are clear. The university plans to build an AI ecosystem in partnership with global companies, foster field-oriented convergence talent, and broadly lead the region’s AI transformation (AX) through key strategies aimed at spreading the shared value of “AI for All.” Behind these achievements is a systematic governance structure centered on the RISE Project Group under the Regional Innovation Project Headquarters, which reports directly to the President. YU has strengthened the project’s implementation capacity and accountability by establishing a central administrative structure, a performance management center, and a committee-based monitoring system. Another key factor behind its success has been the university’s ability to seamlessly connect the experience and expertise accumulated through the existing RIS (Regional Innovation System) project, a regional innovation initiative based on cooperation between local governments and universities, with the Anchor Project. In particular, the transition from an education ministry-led project to a local-government-led system has enabled YU to reflect regional industry needs and on-site demands more directly, further strengthening its capacity to operate regionally focused projects. The project has also produced notable examples of success. One of the representative achievements is the “MEGAversity Consortium University,” a collaborative model in the future mobility sector. YU established a functional consortium university system with regional universities to respond to the needs of the future mobility industry and operated a joint talent development model combining the specialized capabilities of each university. This consortium university model is the first of its kind in Korea and has already produced notable results in its first year. YU is responsible for the Innovative Parts for Future vehicles (IPF) sector, where it has advanced an education and industry-academia collaboration system specialized in the future automotive industry. Through extracurricular programs linked with Hyundai NGV and the operation of Project Labs, the university is accelerating the development of talent equipped with the practical skills required by industry. The model is drawing attention as a new collaborative approach to jointly developing talent for the region’s future growth industries through the shared operation of curricula, extracurricular programs, and industry-academia collaboration beyond the boundaries between universities. The entrepreneurship sector has also produced outstanding results. Through “YUnicorn Startup Valley,” YU has established a “settlement-oriented entrepreneurship ecosystem” designed not simply to provide entrepreneurship education but also to commercialize regional assets and help entrepreneurs establish themselves in the region. By bringing together startup support organizations, venture capital (VC) firms, accelerators (ACs), local governments, the university’s technology holding company, and university networks, YU has created a virtuous cycle extending from identifying entrepreneurs to generating sales and connecting startups with investment opportunities. As a result, the university recorded 68 student startups, ranking No. 1 among non-metropolitan universities and No. 6 nationwide in the number of student startups based on a three-year average, demonstrating that a region-based startup ecosystem can produce tangible results. YU’s strengths have also been clearly demonstrated in industry collaboration. The YU Industry Collaboration Center (ICC) has integrated the Regional Growth Innovation LAB, SME R&D, specialized industry scale-up, autonomous R&D, and AX projects into a single platform rather than treating them as separate initiatives. Through this platform, the center has designed a phased growth ladder extending from identifying companies’ technical challenges to demonstration, follow-up R&D, and scale-up. In particular, YU’s research infrastructure and industry-academia collaboration system provided practical support during the development of robotic technologies for the production operations of SL, a mid-sized company based in Gyeongsan, Gyeongsangbuk-do. This case represents a notable example demonstrating that a university can serve as a long-term innovation partner for regional companies. <From left, KIM Seung-chul, Head of YU’s Regional Innovation Project Headquarters; President CHOI Oe-chool; and PARK Dae-hyun, Director of the Gyeongbuk RISE Center> YU’s specialization in Saemaul Studies, leveraging the university’s unique assets, is another important achievement. Based on Saemaul Studies, which systematizes the Saemaul Undong and Korea’s development experience as an academic discipline, YU is connecting infrastructure across undergraduate and graduate programs, research institutes, and training institutions to simultaneously foster international development specialists for shared global prosperity, support the settlement of international students, and address challenges facing rural and agricultural communities. Through an interdisciplinary education system linking the Department of International Development and Saemaul Studies with the Division of Economics and Finance, Department of Forest Resources, Department of Horticultural Life Sciences, Department of Environmental Engineering, and Department of Urban Engineering, students acquire practical expertise in international development cooperation alongside their major-specific capabilities. In addition, YU’s support for the establishment of the Saemaul Research Institute at Samarkand University in Uzbekistan and its on-site consulting under the Anchor Project demonstrate how the university’s specialized assets can lead to international expansion and enhance regional brand value. President CHOI Oe-chool said, “Through the Anchor Project, universities must go beyond being simply educational institutions and serve as innovation hubs connecting the future of young people with sustainable growth in the region. Building on the achievements of the first year, YU will more precisely connect regional industry needs with young people’s development pathways and steadily expand tangible results through which the university, businesses, and the local community grow together. In doing so, we will realize the core objectives of the Anchor Project: developing talent who settle in the region and promoting sustainable regional development.”
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Ranks in the Top 33.5% Worldwide in Medicine, General & Internal, Strengthening Its International Academic Impact at the Q2 Level Rapid Growth in Just Three Years Since Its First IF of 0.8 in 2023—An Exceptional Achievement Among Korean Medical Journals Expected to Advance Toward Becoming a World-Class Medical Journal, Including SCIE Indexing [August 3, 2026] <Cover of the Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science (JYMS)> The Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science (JYMS), the official journal published by the Yeungnam University College of Medicine, has achieved an Impact Factor (IF) of 2.0 according to the 2025 Journal Citation Reports (JCR), further strengthening its position as an international academic journal. JYMS ranked 113th out of 336 journals worldwide in the Medicine, General & Internal category, placing it in the top 33.5% and corresponding to the Q2 quartile. Journals are generally classified according to their ranking based on citation metrics, with the top 25% designated as Q1 and the top 25–50% as Q2. JYMS’s entry into approximately the top third of journals in its field demonstrates the rapid improvement of its international academic impact and visibility. The Impact Factor (IF) is a representative indicator of journal influence published by Clarivate based on data from the Web of Science. It measures the average number of citations received by articles published in a journal during the preceding two years. An IF of 2.0 is generally regarded as a meaningful indicator of international recognition and academic influence in the field of general medicine. JYMS has demonstrated rapid growth since receiving its first official IF of 0.8 in 2023, followed by 1.4 in 2024 and 2.0 in 2025, achieving this milestone in just three years. Considering that the leading Korean general medical journals, the Yonsei Medical Journal (YMJ) and the Journal of Korean Medical Science (JKMS), took 19 to 20 years to surpass an IF of 2.0, JYMS’s achievement of an IF of 2.0 just three years after receiving its first official IF in 2023 represents an exceptionally rapid and encouraging case of growth among Korean medical journals. WON Kyu-jang, Dean of the YU College of Medicine, said, “JYMS’s achievement of an Impact Factor of 2.0 reflects not only the improved quality of the articles published in the journal, but also the effectiveness of various efforts undertaken by the editorial board to enhance the journal’s accessibility, including changes to its publication cycle and copyright policies.” He added, “We will continue our efforts to establish our university’s official journal as a globally recognized international medical journal with authority in both basic and clinical medicine.” The YU College of Medicine and the JYMS editorial board plan to further strengthen the journal’s international competitiveness, with the goal of achieving SCIE indexing and advancing JYMS into a world-class medical journal, building on its achievement of an IF of 2.0.
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Seven Consecutive Years of Project Implementation Since 2020—Establishing a Systematic Framework for Organizing Unprocessed Artifacts and Supporting Academic Research Recognized for Outstanding Achievements with a Grand Prize and a Korea Heritage Service Commissioner’s Award for a Museum Researcher Project to Continue for Another Two Years, Further Expanding the Preservation and Utilization of Buried Cultural Heritage [July 15, 2026] <Exhibition Posters for Yeungnam University Museum’s “Project for the Preservation and Utilization of Unprocessed Artifacts from Buried Cultural Heritage” (2022 and 2025)> The Yeungnam University Museum, under the leadership of President CHOI Oe-chool, continues to achieve significant results in the preservation and utilization of excavated archaeological heritage through the “2026 Project for the Preservation and Utilization of Unprocessed Artifacts from Buried Cultural Heritage.” The Yeungnam University Museum, headed by Director LEE Eun-jung, has participated in the “Project for the Preservation and Utilization of Unprocessed Artifacts from Buried Cultural Heritage,” supported by the Korea Heritage Service and organized by the Korean Association of University Museums, for seven consecutive years from 2020 through 2026. The project aims to systematically organize, document, and preserve artifacts that remained unprocessed for an extended period following the excavation of the Imdang-dong and Joyeong-dong ancient tomb complexes in the 1980s, and to utilize them as resources for academic research, exhibitions, and education. <Preparing for a special exhibition (left), scenes from the 2025 special exhibition “After a Long Wait, Out of the Storage” (right)> Through the project, the Yeungnam University Museum has secured approximately KRW 900 million in project funding and organized 1,628 cases comprising 2,199 artifacts. Of these, 1,223 cases comprising 1,456 artifacts have proceeded through national ownership attribution and transfer procedures. In 2026, the museum is currently processing approximately 600 additional artifacts. <Excavation Investigation Reports on Unprocessed Artifacts at Yeungnam University Museum (2021, 2024, and 2025)> In addition, the museum has published three excavation investigation reports on the unprocessed artifacts, establishing a foundation for academically organizing and making available investigation records that had remained unpublished for an extended period. This has contributed to enabling not only researchers but also the general public to access and utilize information on buried cultural heritage, while also playing an important role in the systematic management of national heritage. The research outcomes have also been presented to the public through two exhibitions: Adding Tombs to Tombs (2022) and After a Long Wait, Out of the Storage (a joint exhibition involving 10 universities, 2025). Through these exhibitions, the museum shared the processes and achievements involved in organizing the unprocessed artifacts and communicated their historical and cultural value to the public through hands-on programs, providing opportunities to deepen public understanding of cultural heritage. <Exhibition-related programs “Visible Conservation Lab” (left) and “Curators’ Gallery Talk” (right)> The project has also produced meaningful results in terms of professional training and youth employment, as some participants who gained practical experience in artifact organization, conservation treatment, and documentation have gone on to pursue careers at cultural heritage-related institutions. As a result of producing diverse outcomes each year, the Yeungnam University Museum received the Grand Prize in the 2025 Project for the Preservation and Utilization of Unprocessed Artifacts from Buried Cultural Heritage. MO Yeo-ra Researcher of the Yeungnam University Museum was also honored with a Commissioner’s Award from the Korea Heritage Service in recognition of contributions to translating the project’s achievements into a special exhibition. The project is scheduled to continue for another two years, and the Yeungnam University Museum plans to further expand the systematic management and utilization of buried cultural heritage based on the experience and expertise accumulated through the project. Director LEE Eun-jung of the Yeungnam University Museum said, “The Project for the Preservation and Utilization of Unprocessed Artifacts from Buried Cultural Heritage has enabled us to address a longstanding challenge of our museum. For the remainder of the project period, we will continue to do our utmost to reconstruct the ancient society of Apdok Kingdom in Gyeongsan, particularly in areas where progress has been insufficient.”
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Ambassadors from 20 African nations spotlight YU’s Saemaul Studies, elevating it as a key agenda for international cooperation YU draws strong interest from Africa’s diplomatic community as the global expansion of Saemaul Studies accelerates Park Chung Hee School of Policy and Saemaul has trained international development professionals from 81 countries and eight international organizations, including the World Bank and WFP President CHOI Oe-chool, ranked No. 4 globally in Leadership in the WURI rankings, pledges to support developing countries by sharing Korea’s development experience [July 9, 2026] <President CHOI Oe-chool delivers a special lecture at the invitation of the African Group of Ambassadors (AGA).> Yeungnam University (YU), led by President CHOI Oe-chool, is gaining recognition as a successful model of international development cooperation through education by expanding the scope of its educational diplomacy with African nations based on its Saemaul Studies program. On July 3, President CHOI delivered a special lecture at a meeting of the African Group of Ambassadors (AGA) held at the Seoul Club. The lecture was especially meaningful as it was arranged at the official invitation of Chafik Rachadi, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to Korea and Chair of the AGA. Over the years, leaders from major developing countries around the world have turned to YU to study Saemaul Studies. This time, however, ambassadors representing African nations directly invited President CHOI—who systematized the content of the Saemaul Undong (New Village Movement) into the academic discipline of Saemaul Studies—to deliver a lecture. This reflects how YU's Saemaul Studies has evolved beyond a training program or degree course to become a key agenda for international cooperation through official diplomatic channels. Ambassadors and diplomats from 20 African countries, including Morocco, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Kenya, and Tanzania, attended the lecture. The diplomatic representatives expressed strong interest in YU's Saemaul Studies and Korea's model of sharing its development experience, demonstrating high expectations for YU as a leading institution for cultivating professionals in Saemaul-based development across Africa. President CHOI delivered a one-hour lecture titled "Key Drivers of Korea's Development and Ideas for Sharing Them: YU's Model for Training Saemaul Undong Specialists." He introduced the achievements of the Saemaul Undong in helping Korea overcome extreme poverty and transform into an advanced nation, while explaining how YU has academically systematized the movement into Saemaul Studies and developed it into globally accessible educational content. He also emphasized that YU's distinctive model of international development cooperation goes beyond one-time aid by educating local leaders, offering degree programs, and even transferring curriculum design expertise to partner universities—providing a sustainable development model for developing countries. These achievements in educational diplomacy have been made possible by the extensive global network that YU has built through Saemaul Studies over many years. Since its establishment in 2011, the Park Chung Hee School of Policy and Saemaul (PSPS) has provided full scholarships and living stipends to approximately 1,000 students from 81 countries, including officials from eight international organizations such as the World Bank and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP). PSPS has established itself as a leading institution for educating master's-level professionals in international development. Countries represented in YU's Saemaul Studies master's program: 8 international organizations and 81 countries. These accomplishments have led to concrete requests for cooperation from African governments. In April this year, senior government officials from Rwanda and Sierra Leone visited YU in succession. Rwanda discussed expanding existing Saemaul cooperation into additional academic fields, including engineering and agriculture, while developing a long-term talent development model. Meanwhile, the Government of Sierra Leone dispatched a high-level delegation—including the Minister of Technical and Higher Education, the Ambassador to Korea, and faculty members from public universities—to sign an agreement establishing Departments of Saemaul Economic Development at two public universities in the country. The initiative represents an unprecedented effort to integrate Korea's development experience and Saemaul Studies into Sierra Leone's higher education system as a foundation for national innovation. At the time, Haja Ramatulai Wurie, Sierra Leone's Minister of Technical and Higher Education, visited Korea solely to discuss cooperation with YU on cultivating Saemaul Studies professionals before returning home immediately after completing her schedule. YU's global leadership in innovation has also been recognized internationally. In the 2026 World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI) announced in May, YU ranked third in the world for Student Mobility and Openness and fourth globally in Visionary Leadership. In particular, the University's fourth-place global ranking in Leadership reflects international recognition of President CHOI's vision and commitment to cultivating global talent and expanding international networks through Saemaul Studies. Beyond innovation within the campus, YU's contribution to advancing public values—including global poverty reduction and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—also aligns with the reasons the African ambassadors invited President CHOI to speak. Over the years, YU has built strong partnerships not only with African countries such as Ethiopia, Rwanda, and Sierra Leone, but also with developing nations across Latin America (Nicaragua), Central Asia (Uzbekistan), and Southeast Asia (Cambodia and Vietnam). Through a step-by-step expansion of civil servant and community leader training programs, academic degree programs, and inter-university partnerships, Saemaul Studies—Korea's unique educational platform born from the nation's transformation from an aid recipient to an aid donor—has emerged as one of the world's most compelling models for international development assistance. Dessie Dalkie Dukamo, Ambassador of Ethiopia to Korea, who attended the lecture, said, "I sincerely thank President CHOI Oe-chool for honoring the AGA monthly meeting with such an inspiring and insightful lecture. I am deeply impressed by his unwavering commitment to globalizing the spirit of the Saemaul Undong, and I hope that many developing countries across Africa will achieve remarkable community development through YU's leadership and the sharing of the Saemaul Undong." President CHOI said, "It is a great honor to share Korea's development experience and YU's achievements in Saemaul Studies with diplomats representing African nations at the invitation of the African Group of Ambassadors. Saemaul Studies is a practical form of educational diplomacy that helps developing countries build their own engines of growth and nurture future generations. We will continue expanding our global network and responsibly fulfill YU's vision of cultivating leaders who contribute to the shared prosperity of humanity." He added, "I would also like to express my deepest gratitude to my fellow professors who have devoted themselves to advancing the academic study and research of the Saemaul Undong despite many challenges, as well as to distinguished experts in Korea and abroad—including former UN Secretary-General BAN Ki-moon and former World Bank President KIM Yong Kim—for their invaluable guidance. This lecture will remain one of the most unforgettable moments in YU's journey of educational diplomacy."
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Ranks 13th in Korea in U.S. News Best Global Universities Rankings, Rising on Stronger Research Reputation and International Collaboration Climbs Across Major Global Rankings, Including WURI, QS, and THE, Strengthening Global Standing Educational and Research Innovation, Internationalization, and Global Social Contribution Drive Distinctive Competitiveness [July 13, 2026] 2026–2027 U.S. News Best Global Universities Rankings (Top 20 Korean Universities) <2026-2027 Best Global Universities Rankings> (U.S. News & World Report) Ranking University 1 Seoul National University 2 Yonsei Univ. 3 Sungkyunkwan Univ. 4 KAIST 5 Korea Univ. 6 Sejong Univ. 7 POSTECH 8 Kyunghee Univ. 9 Hanyang Univ. 10 UNIST 11 Univ. of Ulsan 12 Pusan National Univ. 13 YU 14 Kyungpook National Univ. 15 Dongguk Univ. Ewha Womans Univ. 17 Chonbuk National Univ. 18 Univ. of Seoul 19 Chung-Ang Univ. 20 Chonnam National Univ. YU (President CHOI Oe-chool) has once again demonstrated its global competitiveness by ranking 13th in Korea and 751st worldwide in the 2026–2027 Best Global Universities Rankings recently released by U.S. News & World Report. The U.S. News Best Global Universities Rankings, published by the leading American news magazine U.S. News & World Report, evaluate universities worldwide based on Clarivate data, focusing primarily on research excellence, including global and regional research reputation, publications, citations, and international collaboration. The rankings are widely recognized as one of the leading indicators of academic influence and international research performance. YU's improved performance this year was driven by significant gains in several key indicators, including global research reputation, books, and international collaboration (relative to country). Specifically, the University climbed 244 places in global research reputation, 303 places in books, and 156 places in international collaboration (relative to country). In addition, improvements across most research-related indicators—including total publications, total citations, and the number of papers ranking among the world's top 10% by citations—contributed to its higher overall ranking. This achievement is not an isolated success. YU has demonstrated a clear upward trajectory across several major global university rankings announced this year.In the 2026 World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI), announced in May, YU ranked 3rd globally in the Student Mobility and Openness category and 4th globally in Visionary Leadership. Among 13,211 innovation cases submitted by 1,927 universities from 96 countries, YU was recognized as one of the world's leading institutions for its student support system and innovative leadership. YU also ranked 791–800th worldwide in the 2027 QS World University Rankings, becoming the No. 1 comprehensive private university outside the Seoul metropolitan area. The University climbed more than 100 places globally from the previous year, earning particularly strong evaluations for Citations per Faculty, International Faculty Ratio, and International Student Ratio, reflecting its sustained growth. In addition, YU made its debut in the 2026 Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings, released by the UK-based global university ranking organization, entering the 101–200 global band overall.It ranked joint 10th among Korean universities and placed joint 47th worldwide for SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, while also ranking among the global Top 50 in three Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) categories. These results demonstrate international recognition of YU's integrated approach to education, research, social engagement, and global collaboration in advancing sustainable development. President CHOI Oe-chool said, "The results of the latest U.S. News Best Global Universities Rankings demonstrate that YU's research competitiveness and international collaboration capabilities are being recognized at the global level. The University's continued success in prestigious global rankings, including WURI, QS, and the THE Impact Rankings, is especially meaningful because it reflects the distinctive competitiveness we have built by integrating educational and research innovation, internationalization, and social engagement." He added, "As we enter the AI era, YU will continue to innovate across education, research, and university administration under our vision of nurturing talented individuals with both character and professional expertise who contribute to the prosperity of humanity, further strengthening our role and responsibility as a globally competitive university." Meanwhile, YU is actively enhancing AI capabilities across campus by providing students and faculty with broad access to trusted AI tools, fostering the next generation of talent capable of leading the era of unlimited competition driven by artificial intelligence.
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Selected for Museum Link, Korea’s First K-Museum Regional Traveling Exhibition and Tour Support Program On View at the YU Museum Through October 2, Then Traveling to Busan from October 19 A Rare Opportunity to Encounter Traces of Animals from 1,500 Years Ago Revisiting Ancient People's Wishes and Ritual Culture Through Animals [July 6, 2026] <Special exhibition Animals Around Us at the YU Museum> The YU Museum (President CHOI Oe-chool) is presenting the special exhibition Animals Around Us after being selected for Museum Link, the inaugural K-Museum Regional Traveling Exhibition and Tour Support Program. The exhibition, which opened to the public with an opening ceremony at 3 p.m. on July 3, is accompanied by two educational programs for local children and youth: Animal Stories of the Apdok Kingdom Through Bones and Animals in Artifacts Reimagined Through AI. Museum Link is a national initiative designed to expand access to cultural and artistic experiences beyond the Seoul metropolitan area and other major cities while fostering a sustainable regional cultural ecosystem by connecting exhibitions with tourism and local resources. Organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and administered by the Korean Museum Association, the program supports traveling exhibitions and exhibition-linked regional tourism programs. Drawing on the YU Museum's extensive collection of artifacts and its long-standing research on archaeological animal remains, the special exhibition invites visitors to reflect on the historical significance of animals in human society. Through artifacts excavated from 1,500-year-old tombs and other archaeological discoveries, the exhibition offers a multifaceted exploration of the roles animals played in the lives and deaths of ancient people. The exhibition is organized into two main sections. The first section, Animals as Symbols of Earnest Wishes, explores the symbolic meanings of animals depicted on ancient artifacts. Visitors will discover how dragons and phoenixes symbolized sacred authority, birds represented the connection between heaven and earth, turtles embodied longevity, and fish expressed hopes for fertility and abundance, illustrating how ordinary everyday objects became powerful symbols of people's deepest aspirations. The second section, Animals as the Finest Feast and Ritual Offerings, forms the centerpiece of the exhibition, presenting for the first time an in-depth study of the large collection of archaeological animal remains excavated during the 1980s from the Imdang-dong and Joyeong-dong ancient tomb complexes in Gyeongsan. The exhibition highlights the significant scholarly value of decades of zooarchaeological research and preservation based on animal remains meticulously recovered through water-screening techniques—a method that separates and extracts biological materials such as plant seeds and other organic remains from excavated sediments. Particularly noteworthy are the remains of a wide variety of marine fish and shellfish—including shark (dombaegi), pufferfish, and mackerel—which would have been difficult to obtain in inland Gyeongsan. These findings provide compelling evidence of the diverse diet and remarkable authority enjoyed by the region's ruling elite 1,500 years ago. The exhibition also introduces the ritual culture of ancient people through the remains of dogs, cattle, horses, and pigs that were sacrificed without butchering during the construction of tombs, reflecting beliefs that such offerings would ensure the well-being of the deceased while maintaining a connection between the living and the dead. Animals Around Us will be on display at the YU Museum in Gyeongsan, Gyeongsangbuk-do, from July 3 through October 2, 2026, before traveling to the National Pukyong University Museum in Nam-gu, Busan, where it will be exhibited from October 19 through November 27, 2026. Meanwhile, the exhibition's educational program Animal Stories of the Apdok Kingdom Through Bones uses the exhibited animal remains to help participants understand the lives and environments of ancient people, recognize the changing relationship between humans and animals, and develop a greater appreciation for local cultural heritage. Another program, Animals in Artifacts Reimagined Through AI, is offered in collaboration with YU's Digital Humanities and Social Sciences (D-HUSS) Project Group, in which students from related disciplines use AI technologies to create videos and digital content for the exhibition, enhancing both their career competencies and their understanding of regional cultural heritage. LEE Eun-jung, Director of the YU Museum, said, "This special exhibition offers visitors an opportunity to discover the worldview and aspirations of ancient people through the many animals preserved in the museum's collections, each telling its own story across different historical periods. We hope it will provide meaningful time to reflect on the people who once lived on this land and to reconsider the significance of the animals that continue to share our lives today." Meanwhile, Museum Link supports regional traveling exhibitions at 88 museums and art museums selected through a nationwide competition. Participating institutions present exhibitions in at least two different regions, while 50 of them also operate programs that connect their exhibitions with local cultural and tourism resources. The initiative is expected to transform museum visits into stay-based regional cultural experiences, contributing to the mutual growth of local culture and the tourism industry.
- PR team
- 2026. 07. 22
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Propose Value-Added Upcycling of Rice Husks and Rice Rinse Water Through Eco-Friendly Seedling Trays Achievement Reflects Hands-On, Industry-Oriented Education Supported by the Advanced Bioindustry Human Resources Boot Camp Project [July 8, 2026] <YU students recognized at the 2026 Korean Society of Food Science and Technology Undergraduate Idea Competition> (From left: CHOI Seo-hyun, BAN Ye-won, and JO Min-ji) The it's me(米) Team from YU's Department of Food Science and Technology and the Advanced Bioindustry Human Resources Boot Camp Project Group (faculty advisor: Professor KIM Myung-hee, Department of Food Science and Technology) received the Encouragement Award at the Undergraduate Idea Competition, held during the 2026 International Conference and Annual Meeting of the Korean Society of Food Science and Technology (KoSFoST) at the Daejeon Convention Center on July 1. The Korean Society of Food Science and Technology (KoSFoST) hosts Korea's largest international academic conference in the field each year, attracting approximately 2,800 participants. Sponsored by the Council of Directors of Food Research Institutes, the Undergraduate Idea Competition aims to discover innovative ideas that contribute to creating future value in the food industry while fostering the next generation of food science professionals. Participants analyze challenges facing the food industry and propose creative, practical solutions. The it's me(米) Team—comprising CHOI Seo-hyun (senior, Department of Food Science and Technology) and BAN Ye-won and JO Min-ji (both sophomores in the Department of Food Science and Technology)—proposed an environmentally friendly solution that transforms rice husks and rice rinse water, by-products of food production and processing, into biodegradable seedling trays. Their project presented a sustainable approach to creating high-value applications for agricultural by-products while promoting a circular, eco-friendly economy. Professor KIM Ji-hoe, Director of the Advanced Bioindustry Human Resources Boot Camp Project Group and a faculty member in the Department of Biotechnology, said, "We are delighted that our field-based, hands-on training program has produced such an outstanding result. We will continue to provide strong support for cultivating talented professionals in sustainable advanced biomaterials."
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- 2026. 07. 22
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Ranks 26th in Korea (791–800 globally), Climbing More Than 100 Places from the Previous Year Global Standing Soars with No. 4 Worldwide in WURI Visionary Leadership Ranking Educational and Research Innovation, Globalization Strategy Earn Meaningful Recognition on the Global Stage [June 24, 2026] YU (President CHOI Oe-chool) has been ranked 26th in Korea (791–800 globally) in the QS World University Rankings 2027, recently released by global higher education analyst QS (Quacquarelli Symonds). Notably, YU ranked No. 1 among comprehensive private universities outside the Seoul metropolitan area. Compared with last year's ranking (901–950 globally), YU climbed more than 100 places, further strengthening its position as a globally competitive university. This year's rankings evaluated 1,504 universities worldwide, with 43 Korean universities included. YU received particularly strong evaluations in the categories of Citations per Faculty, International Faculty Ratio, and International Student Ratio. YU's strong performance in the International Faculty Ratio and International Student Ratio reflects its globalization strategy, which is founded on the value of global social contribution. The University has gained international recognition by establishing Saemaul Studies, an academic discipline based on the Saemaul Undong (New Village Movement) and Korea's development experience, and offering undergraduate and graduate programs in the field. In particular, the Park Chung Hee School of Policy and Saemaul—established in 2011—has grown into a leading global graduate school attracting talented students from developing countries around the world. In just 15 years, approximately 1,000 young professionals from 81 countries, including officials from the World Bank, the United Nations World Food Programme (UN WFP), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and four other international organizations, have completed the master's program in Saemaul Studies and are now working as international development professionals across the globe. Through Saemaul Studies, YU has also built extensive global networks with governments of developing countries and major international organizations, contributing significantly to the University's sustainability and global competitiveness. <International Students Enrolled at YU Park Chung Hee School of Policy and Saemaul (PSPS)> The QS World University Rankings assess universities using nine indicators: Academic Reputation (30%), Citations per Faculty (20%), Employer Reputation (15%), Faculty/Student Ratio (10%), International Faculty Ratio (5%), International Student Ratio (5%), International Research Network (IRN) (5%), Employment Outcomes (5%), and Sustainability (5%). Because the rankings incorporate both subjective measures, such as academic and employer reputation, and objective indicators, including research citations, faculty and international student ratios, and graduate employment outcomes, they are widely regarded as one of the world's most credible university ranking systems. YU has recently continued to earn strong recognition in major global university rankings. In the WURI (World University Rankings for Innovation) 2026, announced in May, the University ranked No. 3 in the world in the Student Mobility and Openness category and No. 4 globally in Visionary Leadership. The 2026 WURI evaluated 13,211 innovative programs submitted by 1,927 universities across 96 countries, placing YU among the world's top-performing institutions in both categories. President CHOI Oe-chool said, "YU's continued strong performance in major global university rankings, including the QS World University Rankings, is an encouraging indication that our educational and research innovation, along with our globalization strategy, is receiving meaningful recognition by international standards. It is particularly significant that YU's vision and achievements are being acknowledged on the global stage." He added, "Guided by our vision of nurturing talented individuals who contribute to the prosperity of humanity, YU continues to pursue innovation across all aspects of university operations, including education and research. We will further strengthen our global competitiveness and continue to grow into a university that fulfills its responsibilities and role in the international community."
- PR team
- 2026. 07. 08
- 2026. 06. 24
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From Vision to Action: Advancing the Vision of a Creative and Innovative University Contributing to the Prosperity of Humanity Faculty, Staff, Students, the Educational Foundation, and Alumni Unite Behind YU’s Future Development Innovation Proven by Results, Sustained Through Action—QS Ranking Surge Reflects Continued Growth Strengthening Institutional Innovation Through AI- and AX-Driven Transformation, IR Strategy, and Medical Center Development Plan [June 29, 2026] YU (President CHOI Oe-chool) held the Future Action Days for Y-INNOVATION 2030, reaffirming its commitment to implementing the University's long-term development strategy. The event was held to share the expanded edition of Y-INNOVATION 2030, an updated and enhanced version of YU's long-term development plan based on the University's vision—"A Creative and Innovative University Contributing to the Prosperity of Humanity"—which was proclaimed during YU's 75th anniversary celebration in 2022. It also served to unite the University community around a shared commitment to putting the vision into action. The gathering reviewed the achievements of YU's innovation initiatives since the 2022 vision declaration while reaffirming the University's determination to translate its vision and development strategies into concrete actions by all members of the YU community and to accelerate innovation for the future. Held on June 25 at the Lee Si-won Global Convention Hall of the Cheonma Art Center, the event was attended by HAN Jae-sook, Chairperson of the Yeungnam School Corporation; YU President CHOI Oe-chool; KIM Yong-dae, President of the YU Medical Center; LEE Dong-hyung, Chair of the Faculty Council; PARK Young-bong, Chair of the Staff Labor Union; SHIM Chang-seop, President of the Student Council; and other key members of the University community, who reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the implementation of the University's development plan. Senior representatives of the YU General Alumni Association, including Senior Vice President KOH Dong-hyeon, Vice President DO Soo-hoe, and Vice President JOO Dae-jung, also attended to express their support for the University's continued development and commitment to its future vision. The program featured: ▲the unveiling of a video introducing the University's vision and development plan, ▲the presentation of the expanded Y-INNOVATION 2030 plan, ▲the announcement of the YU Medical Center Development Plan, ▲presentations on the University's AI vision and strategy and Institutional Research (IR) strategy, including a live demonstration, and ▲a joint pledge ceremony committing participants to implementing the development plan. Throughout the event, YU emphasized its commitment to maintaining consistency in institutional policies while strengthening execution through AI- and AX (AI Transformation)-driven innovation and an Institutional Research (IR) system for continuous performance management. The message shared throughout the event was clear: YU's development strategy must move beyond declaration to execution grounded in innovation, and mutual trust, shared understanding, and collaboration among University members constitute the foundation of institutional competitiveness. Through the event, YU reaffirmed its development plan with members of the University community while declaring its determination to further strengthen collaboration among the Educational Foundation, the University, the Medical Center, and the General Alumni Association. Building on this commitment, YU plans to accelerate implementation of its development initiatives while fostering a culture in which all members actively participate in realizing the University's vision. The event also carried special significance as a continuation of the 2022 Vision Declaration Ceremony. At that time, YU presented its new vision along with development strategies in five key areas—educational innovation, industry-academia research, social contribution, globalization, and sustainable management—outlining its roadmap for future growth. Four years later, the University has moved beyond simply sharing its vision, demonstrating through tangible achievements that its innovation strategy is producing measurable results and entering a new phase centered on execution. YU has indeed maintained strong momentum in recent global university rankings and external funding achievements. In the recently released QS World University Rankings 2027, YU ranked No. 1 among comprehensive private universities outside the Seoul metropolitan area (26th in Korea and 791–800 globally), climbing more than 100 places worldwide compared with the previous year. The results indicate that the University's educational and research innovation and globalization strategy have earned meaningful recognition by international standards. In addition, in the WURI (World University Rankings for Innovation) 2026, announced in May, YU ranked No. 3 globally in Student Mobility and Openness and No. 4 in Visionary Leadership. Notably, the University's Visionary Leadership ranking has steadily improved over the past three years, reaching the world's top tier and demonstrating international recognition of YU's innovation leadership in consistently sharing and implementing its institutional vision. YU has also achieved remarkable success in securing external financial support. According to the 2025 University Finance Information System statistics, the University secured a total of KRW 107.4 billion in external funding—including central government grants, local government support, and funding from other organizations—ranking No. 1 among private general universities nationwide. This achievement represents more than financial success; it reflects the high level of confidence that governments and external organizations place in YU's innovation capacity and long-term sustainability. These accomplishments are not the result of chance but rather the outcome of the University's consistent implementation of its innovation initiatives and development strategies since the 2022 vision declaration. YU has established a virtuous cycle in which its institutional vision and philosophy inspire the understanding and participation of faculty, staff, and students, leading to educational innovation, stronger research competitiveness, internationalization, improved student outcomes, enhanced public trust, and greater recognition in global evaluations. Delivering congratulatory remarks on behalf of JUNG Tae-il, President of the YU General Alumni Association, Senior Vice President KOH Dong-hyeon said, "Today's event provides a meaningful opportunity for members of the YU community to share the University's vision and development plan while reaffirming their commitment to putting them into practice. As we enter the era of AI-driven transformation, YU's pursuit of future innovation based on a sustainable development strategy represents an important step toward becoming a globally recognized prestigious university." He continued, "I recently learned with great pride that YU achieved outstanding results in major global university rankings and ranked first nationwide in external government funding disclosures. These accomplishments are the valuable result of the dedication of every member of the University community. Representing our 300,000 alumni, I assure you that we will continue to provide unwavering support and cooperation as a trusted partner to ensure the successful realization of YU's vision and development plan." <From left: YU President CHOI Oe-chool, HAN Jae-sook, Chairperson of the Yeungnam School Corporation, and KOH Dong-hyeon, Senior Vice President of the YU General Alumni Association> Chairperson HAN Jae-sook of the Yeungnam School Corporation said, "The vision and development plan shared by YU are not merely declarations but a clear direction and mission for the University's future. Through AI- and IR-based implementation strategies, we must ensure that these plans move beyond statements of intent and become a virtuous cycle of concrete action and measurable results." She added, "The Educational Foundation will continue to serve as a strong foundation by providing full support so that these efforts, built upon the understanding and participation of the University community, lead to meaningful achievements and enable YU to make bold strides toward the future." In his commitment address, President CHOI Oe-chool said, "YU has recently strengthened its global standing through remarkable advances in prestigious international university rankings, including the QS World University Rankings and the WURI. These achievements have been made possible by the dedication of our faculty, staff, students, and all members of the University community, who have worked together to realize YU's vision." He continued, "Rather than becoming complacent with our accomplishments, YU will seize the era of AI-driven transformation as an opportunity for a new leap forward, further strengthening our education, research, and global competitiveness. The rapid advancement of AI is fundamentally reshaping the higher education environment and redefining how universities survive and thrive. AI-driven industrial transformation will also lead to a paradigm shift in higher education, moving from an academic pedigree-based hierarchy toward one centered on competence and capability." President CHOI concluded, "The future of YU depends on the collective commitment of not only our faculty, staff, and students, but also the Educational Foundation and the General Alumni Association. Together, we will combine the strength of the entire YU community to realize our vision of becoming a Creative and Innovative University Contributing to the Prosperity of Humanity and achieve even greater progress. Finally, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Chairperson HAN Jae-sook of the Yeungnam School Corporation and all those who have provided their guidance and support, enabling YU to respond proactively to the challenges facing higher education."
- PR team
- 2026. 07. 08
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