Yeungnam University president meets 145 Chinese freshmen, urges academic focus and safe campus life

Yeungnam University President Choi Oe-chul met with Chinese freshmen at the Park Chung-hee School of Policy and Saemaul Studies, encouraging them to settle into campus life, stay motivated in their studies and grow into global talent.

The university held a special lecture by Choi for second-semester Chinese freshmen of the 2026 academic year on Oct. 23 at the Lee Si-won Global Convention Hall of the Cheonma Arts Center.

The event drew 166 attendees, including 145 freshmen from seven majors — among them saemaul economic development, public administration and media information — along with senior university officials, faculty and staff.

During the roughly 90-minute lecture, Choi stressed the importance of safety and health for international students adjusting to a new culture and environment. Choi also urged students to build academic achievement and personal capabilities through diverse experiences and exchanges, grounded in mutual respect and consideration.

Choi introduced the university's founding spirit, educational philosophy and development vision, and shared global education outcomes and international cooperation cases tied to "saemaul studies," a discipline that systematizes South Korea's economic development experience.

The Park Chung-hee School of Policy and Saemaul Studies, established in 2011, has enrolled a cumulative total of 1,243 students from 81 countries as of last month, including officials from eight international organizations such as the World Bank and the UN World Food Programme.

In April, Yeungnam University signed an agreement with a Sierra Leone government delegation to establish saemaul economic development departments at two public universities in the country.

The university also ranked third in the world in the student exchange and openness category and fourth in visionary leadership at the 2026 World's Universities with Real Impact rankings.

"Graduate school life is a precious opportunity not only to build specialized knowledge but also to expand one's potential through diverse experiences and exchanges," Choi said. "We will spare no effort at the university level to support students in maintaining their health, staying committed to their studies and growing into the talent that the era of AI transformation demands."

Yeungnam University said it plans to continuously strengthen support for international students' stable campus life and professional development, drawing on its global education capabilities and international cooperation network.