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Degree Recipients Honored at Cheonma Art Center Grand Hall on August 21, with Graduate Representatives in Attendance 150 Doctoral, 379 Master’s, and 817 Bachelor’s Degrees Awarded Across Colleges and Graduate Schools YU Foundation Chair and Alumni Association President Join Ceremony to Offer Congratulations and Encouragement [August 21, 2026] YU (President CHOI Oe-chool) held its commencement ceremony for the second semester of the 2025 academic year on August 21. The ceremony, held at the Grand Hall of YU’s Cheonma Art Center, was attended by all doctoral degree recipients from the Graduate School. President CHOI Oe-chool and Graduate School Dean SHIN Seung-hoon personally presented the graduates with their degrees and offered their congratulations. Individual commencement ceremonies were also held by YU’s colleges and graduate schools, including the Graduate School of Business and Public Administration, Graduate School of Environment and Public Health, Graduate School of Culture, Arts and Design, Graduate School of Education, Graduate School of Engineering, and Park Chung Hee School of Policy and Saemaul (PSPS). A total of 817 bachelor’s, 379 master’s, and 150 doctoral degrees were awarded at YU. Among the graduates were 347 international students, including 105 bachelor’s, 157 master’s, and 85 doctoral degree recipients. Following the commencement ceremony, the international graduates gathered at the Center for International Affairs for a farewell meeting to mark the conclusion of their studies and life at YU. <International graduates gather at the Center for International Affairs for a farewell meeting following the commencement ceremony> In her congratulatory address, HAN Jae-sook, Chair of the Yeungnam School Corporation, said, “Graduates, after years of rigorous inquiry and reflection in your respective fields of study, you have finally reached this moment today. The knowledge and experience you have accumulated throughout this journey will become a valuable asset that goes beyond academic achievement and helps illuminate the future of our society and humanity.” She continued, “You are now standing at a new starting point, ready to face a new world. Do not be afraid of failure, never lose your willingness to learn, and continue striving as global leaders who contribute to humanity as individuals of the highest intellectual caliber. I hope you will use the academic achievements and spirit of challenge you have cultivated at YU to create positive change in society wherever you may be.” JUNG Tae-il, President of the YU Alumni Association, also offered his congratulations, saying, “Those of you standing here today are YU’s proud alumni, its greatest source of pride, and its future. You are now leaving behind the campus that has become so dear to you and taking your first proud steps as talents who will lead our society and as leaders who will shape the global stage.” He added, “I am confident that the profound insight and professional expertise you have gained at YU will provide you with the wisdom and strength to overcome any challenges and difficulties you may encounter in the future.” He continued, “The Alumni Association will always stand with you as a steadfast companion and source of support. I hope you, too, will carry your pride in YU deep in your hearts and work together for the continued development of your alma mater and the Alumni Association, centered around our community of 290,000 alumni.” <From left: President CHOI Oe-chool, HAN Jae-sook, Chair of the Yeungnam School Corporation, and JUNG Tae-il, President of the YU Alumni Association> In his commencement address, President CHOI Oe-chool said, “The degree you hold in your hands today is a valuable culmination of your passion and hard work, as well as a meaningful symbol of your journey into the world. I offer my heartfelt congratulations and support as you take your first confident steps into the world with the pride of being a member of YU.” He continued, “The year 2026, in which we stand together today, marks an era of unprecedented transformation, as artificial intelligence and advanced technologies are fundamentally reshaping every aspect of our lives and industries. Amid this rapidly changing environment, I hope you will develop the insight to understand the times and become ‘lifelong learners’ and ‘wise creators’—true Cheonma people who continually refine and develop themselves.” He went on to say, “For 79 years, YU has nurtured talented individuals who contribute to Korea and humanity, grounded in the founding spirit of President Park Chung-hee. As we look ahead to our 80th anniversary in 2027, YU is taking a further leap forward as a prestigious university on the global stage.” Finally, he emphasized, “You, our graduates, are the very people YU has sought to cultivate—‘talented individuals with warm hearts who contribute to humanity.’ I hope you will boldly embrace the changes brought about by the AI era as opportunities, take on challenges with courage, and go on to become leaders who contribute to solving the challenges facing our global community.”
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Professor CHOI Dae-hee of Environmental Engineering Develops Breakthrough Technology for Treating Reverse Osmosis Concentrate Two-Year Joint Research on an Energy-Efficient Concentrate Treatment Process Bears Fruit, with Demonstration and Performance Verification Completed Ahead of Schedule Combining University Research Expertise with Industry Know-How to Help Build a Sustainable Water Circulation Ecosystem [August 19, 2026] <Technology Transfer Agreement Signing Ceremony for “Reverse Osmosis (RO) Concentrate Treatment Technology” between YU and Coway Entech Co., Ltd.> (From sixth from left: YU President CHOI Oe-chool, Industry-Academia Cooperation Foundation Director KIM Jae-hong, Coway Entech CEO BANG Yun-hyeok; third from right: Professor CHOI Dae-hee of the Department of Environmental Engineering, YU, inventor of the technology) YU has achieved a significant industry-academia cooperation milestone by transferring reverse osmosis (RO) concentrate treatment technology, considered one of the major challenges in water reuse, to Coway Entech Co., Ltd., a company specializing in water treatment. The technology transfer will help bring YU’s outstanding research achievements into industrial applications. The two organizations will also move forward with the commercialization of an energy-efficient process developed through joint research, with the aim of establishing a sustainable water circulation system and strengthening the competitiveness of the environmental industry. On August 12, YU held a signing ceremony with Coway Entech for the transfer of the “Reverse Osmosis (RO) Concentrate Treatment Technology,” laying the foundation for further technology commercialization and expanded industry-academia cooperation. President CHOI Oe-chool of YU, CEO BANG Yun-hyeok of Coway Entech, and other representatives from both organizations attended the ceremony, where they signed the technology transfer agreement and discussed plans to expand joint research and technical exchanges going forward. Coway Entech is the water treatment subsidiary of Coway, a Best Life Solution company led by CEO SEO Jang-won. The company operates a range of environmental engineering businesses, including industrial plant water treatment, municipal wastewater treatment and reuse, water purification, and industrial wastewater treatment. The technology transferred this time is a “Wastewater Treatment Method Using Microorganisms,” jointly developed by Professor CHOI Dae-hee of YU’s Department of Environmental Engineering and Coway Entech.The technology is a core technology for treating RO concentrate generated in wastewater reuse processes through a microorganism-based process, and includes intellectual property rights in Korea as well as overseas rights in the United States, Europe, Saudi Arabia, and other countries. RO concentrate is a high-nitrogen wastewater stream generated during wastewater reuse processes. Its high treatment costs and process-related burdens have been identified as major obstacles to the wider adoption of water reuse. Since 2024, YU and Coway Entech have conducted joint research on the “Development of an Energy-Efficient Process for Treating Concentrate in Reuse Plants.” Although the research was originally planned for a total of three years, the two organizations completed demonstration and performance verification after just two years from the start of the project. In particular,the development of a microorganism-based process that reduces the cost burden of conventional treatment methods while improving economic feasibility has opened up the possibility of treating concentrate on-site within water reuse facilities. This technology transfer represents a successful case in which fundamental research achievements from a university have been connected to real-world industrial applications and commercialization. It is also expected to contribute to improving the profitability of water reuse projects and promoting growth in related industries. BANG Yun-hyeok, CEO of Coway Entech, said, “Concentrate treatment has been the final link in the water reuse process and a longstanding challenge that needed to be addressed. We expect that securing this technology will help advance the circular structure of water use in Korea and contribute to expanding water reuse.” President CHOI Oe-chool said, “This technology transfer is a meaningful example of industry-academia cooperation in which YU’s outstanding research achievements have been transferred to a company and connected to innovation and technology commercialization in the field. In particular, Professor CHOI Dae-hee of the Department of Environmental Engineering is a YU alumnus who joined the university as a professor in 2024 and has achieved remarkable results in a very short period of time. We are very proud of him. Going forward, YU will continue to take the lead in supporting technology development that can make a tangible contribution to society through active technical exchanges and joint research with companies.” He added, “YU will do its utmost to support our faculty members and researchers by helping companies achieve innovative growth and further strengthening the industry-academia cooperation ecosystem, so that the university’s research capabilities can contribute to the development of the local community, industries, and the nation.” Through this agreement, YU plans to further strengthen the connection between its environmental research capabilities and industrial applications while expanding joint research and technology commercialization based on industry needs. The university aims to establish a practical model of industry-academia cooperation that combines researchers’ expertise with companies’ commercialization capabilities to help address major challenges facing society.
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YU Holds Its Eighth “Sharing Kimchi with Love” Volunteer Event, Joined by YU Social Contribution Corps Members and International Students “Sharing Kimchi in Summer, Not Kimjang Season, Makes It Even More Meaningful” — Putting Community Care into Action Faculty, Staff, Students, and International Students Take Part Directly, Fostering a Stronger Sense of Community [August 21, 2026] In the midst of a sweltering summer, the hard work and sweat of YU members came together to fill the tables of local neighbors with warm, homemade kimchi. Rather than waiting for the traditional winter kimjang season, faculty, staff, students, and international students joined forces to prepare kimchi for neighbors who need it most during the summer. On August 20, YU held its eighth “Sharing Kimchi with Love” volunteer event at the Jeongsikdang restaurant in the Student Union Building. As part of the university’s social contribution efforts, the event involved delivering kimchi made directly by members of the YU community to neighbors in need. More than 70 participants, including members of the YU Social Contribution Corps—comprising faculty and staff volunteers and student volunteers—as well as international students, took part in every stage of the process, from preparing and seasoning the kimchi to packing and transporting the finished products. Despite the hot weather, participants worked together in harmony to prepare approximately 560 kilograms of kimchi. The carefully prepared kimchi was delivered through the Gyeongsan Volunteer Center to members of underserved communities in the local area. The event was particularly meaningful because it brought the tradition of kimchi sharing, usually associated with the winter kimjang season, to the height of summer. Summer can be an especially difficult time for vulnerable members of the community, as kimchi prepared during the winter may run out and fresh kimchi can be difficult to obtain. Recognizing this need in the local community, YU has continued its summer kimchi-sharing initiative as a practical, community-based form of giving that helps fill a seasonal gap. Participants mixed cabbage with seasonings while sharing their time and goodwill across generations and nationalities. For international students, the event provided a meaningful opportunity to experience Korea’s culture of sharing firsthand. For YU members, it served as an opportunity to reflect on the university’s role as part of and alongside the local community. HONG Young-eun, Director of the YU Social Contribution Corps, said, “A university should go beyond the boundaries of education and research to become a reliable neighbor that shares both the joys and challenges of the local community. Holding this kimchi-making activity in summer, rather than during kimjang season, reflects the desire of YU members to reach out first when help is needed most.” She added, “YU will continue to plan and implement social contribution activities that engage with the local community, put sharing into practice, and create meaningful, tangible change.” Meanwhile, YU, led by the Social Contribution Corps, continues to operate a wide range of social contribution programs, including disaster recovery support, campus clean-up activities, the “Sharing Kimchi with Love” initiative, support for local children’s centers, and overseas volunteer programs. The university plans to further strengthen its ties with the local community and continue fulfilling its role as a responsible university that grows together with the community.
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KOH Sang-on, CEO of PharmaBros and 2006 Pharmacy Graduate, Donates to Support Scholarships for Juniors and University Development A “Star Pharmacist” Thriving as a Pharmacist, Entrepreneur, and Creator—Turning the Value of Knowledge Sharing into Giving Back to His Alma Mater YouTube Channel “A Pharmacist’s Stories About Medicine” Surpasses 2 Million Subscribers—Making a Positive Social Impact Through Expertise-Based Outreach “I Will Continue to Support the Development of Talent for Global Prosperity” [August 5, 2026] <KOH Sang-on, CEO of PharmaBros and star pharmacist creator known as “Go Pharmacist,” donates KRW 50 million to YU> (From left: CEO KOH Sang-on and YU President CHOI Oe-chool) “Hello! I’m Go Pharmacist from ‘YakdeulYak.’ Let’s start by saying, ‘Let’s go!’ first. Let’s go!” Well-known pharmacist creator KOH Sang-on, CEO of PharmaBros Co., Ltd., who is widely recognized by his creator name “Go Pharmacist,” donated KRW 50 million in university development funds to YU on August 3. The donation was made to support the development of his alma mater and the growth of its younger students. A 2006 graduate of YU’s Division of Pharmacy, CEO KOH has shared his professional knowledge with the public as a pharmacist, entrepreneur, and creator of pharmaceutical and health information. Through this donation, he is putting into practice the positive social impact of giving back to the community the knowledge he received and the trust he has gained from society. CEO KOH operates the YouTube channel “A Pharmacist’s Stories About Medicine (https://www.youtube.com/@yakstory119),” which has approximately 2 million subscribers. His content, covering everyday health concerns such as hangovers and nutritional supplements, has earned a strong following among the public.In particular, he explains not only the benefits of nutritional supplements and health functional foods but also their potential side effects and proper intake guidelines, translating professional knowledge into language that anyone can understand and thereby contributing to greater public access to reliable health information. He also communicates with approximately 360,000 followers on Instagram, helping foster a healthier culture of information sharing. In addition, through various lectures and social activities, he shares accurate information on health functional foods and his expertise in planning social media content, establishing himself as a pharmacist creator who combines professional expertise with broad public appeal. CEO KOH has demonstrated the positive potential of social media by going beyond simply delivering information. His work shows how the knowledge and experience of professionals can lead to meaningful social communication and the dissemination of information for the public good, ultimately providing tangible benefits to society. As co-CEO of PharmaBros, a healthcare company, KOH is expanding the company’s business into areas such as health functional foods and healthcare platforms. More recently, he has been pursuing opportunities to enter the global healthcare market and charting new paths for growth. His contribution to creating a healthier society through his expertise as a pharmacist, execution as an entrepreneur, and influence as a creator makes his decision to give back to his alma mater all the more meaningful. CEO KOH said, “YU is a precious starting point that helped me build my professional expertise as a pharmacist and develop the knowledge and confidence to pursue new challenges as an entrepreneur and creator. I decided to make this donation because I wanted to give back, even in a small way, to my alma mater and the society that have supported me.” He continued, “I hope this donation will provide even a small amount of support to help younger students believe in their potential and pursue bigger dreams. Going forward, I will continue to communicate actively with society, share positive influence, and contribute whatever capabilities I have, however small, to making our society a little brighter and healthier.” President CHOI Oe-chool said, “We are deeply grateful and proud of CEO KOH Sang-on for creating positive change in society by sharing his knowledge and experience as a pharmacist in a way that speaks to the public. This university development fund will serve as a valuable example of an alumnus who, having grown through education, has chosen to give back to his juniors and alma mater. It represents much more than financial support.” He added, “CEO KOH is personally demonstrating to our younger students that professional expertise can be a force for the greater good, extending beyond individual success to benefit society. We hope that, as both a professional and an influential creator, he will continue to lead healthy and positive change in our society.”
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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.
- PR team
- 2026. 08. 13
- 2026. 08. 03
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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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- 2026. 08. 13
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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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- 2026. 07. 22
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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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