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15 students from 8 countries presented subjects such as “My life in Korea” in Korean A motive for “understanding Korean language and culture Accumulation of Korean skill during completion of essential Korean course for 3 semesters during studying abroad [October 18, 2021] <2021 PSPS Saemaul Spirit Korean Speech Contest> PSPS of Yeungnam University (President Choi Oe-chool) held “2021 PSPS Saemaul Spirit Korean Speech Contest” for foreigner students. The event was provided to improve understanding level of Korean culture and language and strengthen sense of belonging in foreigner students. YU PSPS established three semesters for essential Korean concentration course and foreigner students have been competing in Korean skill in Korean speech contest held every year. The contest was held in YU Cheonma Art Center Convention Hall at 2:00 pm on the 15th and 15 foreigner students of YU PSPS participated in the contest. 15 foreigner students from 8 countries including Costa Rica, Rwanda, Indonesia, Cameroon, and Tanzania presented subjects in Korean, including “What is PSPS for me?” “My life in Korea,” and “What was my happy time in my life?” <PSPS foreigner students participated in Korean speech contest> Mr. Ongge Izak Semuel (31, 3rd Master’s Class, Department of Saemaul International Development, upper left photo) made a speech with a subject, "My life in Korea" in the contest and took first place. Mr. Ongge Izak Semuel expressed his feelings saying, “I could improve my Korean skill studying all Korean concentration courses during period of studying abroad. I thought my Korean skill was significantly improved with help by a friend met in Buddy Program of Department of Saemaul International Development, Political Administration College during preparation of Korean speech contest and I am really happy for taking first place. I will study may major hard during the remaining period of study and want to have the time to learn Korean culture more.” President Lee Hee-ook of YU PSPS said, “it is not easy to learn Korean and speak fluently during the short period of studying abroad. It would be a motive to improve Korean skill and approach Korean culture by one more step during writing and presenting their experiences in the study in Korean,” and “I thank the professors and students of Department of Saemaul International Development, Political Administration College for their large help through Buddy Program during preparation of the Korean speech contest. I hope that the knowledge and experiences obtained in YU will be a large help for them when they returned to their countries, too.” Meanwhile, TY established PSPS (Park Chung Hee School of Policy and Saemaul) in November, 2011 to cultivate global Saemaul leaders in advancing countries. Until now, 762 persons from 70 countries entered PSPS. Among them, 682 persons from 65 counties got Master degrees and are working in advancing countries as experts of Saemaul international development and regional development.
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Prof. Ko Young-gun Team from School of Materials Science and Engineering, international acceptance of “creative research” in metallic surface treatment area Six research theses were inserted in world-best journals, etc. for recent three years High industrial value of usability for next-generation cars and smart electronic components, etc. [October 14, 2021] <Prof. Ko Young-gun Team from School of Materials Science and Engineering, YU> Prof. Ko Young-gun Team from School of Materials Science and Engineering, YU attracts interest of the academy with continuous report of world-level research performances. Prof. Ko is recognized by the world for creative research performances in metallic surface treatment area. Talents from the world including Indonesia, Syria, Turkey, China, and Morocco gather in Prof. Ko’s office. Research performances shown by Prof. Ko’s students are also amazing. Prof. Ko’s research team inserted six pieces of research theses on concurrent improvement of corrosion-resistance and functionality of materials in famous international journals for recent three months. Three pieces of theses were continuously reported through (Journal of Magnesium and Alloys, impact factor 10.08) which is a world top journal belong to top 0.6% in metallurgy area and it is evaluated as an extraordinary matter in the engineering society that theses were inserted in top level journals having about 10 of impact factors such as (Applied Materials Today, impact factor 10.04), (Chemical Engineering Journal, impact factor 13.27), and (ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, impact factor 9.22), etc. Also, sum of impact factors of the theses reported by Prof. Ko’s research team for recent one year are as large as 230 in rough and the team leads the research area of metallic surface treatment technology in the world. Prof. Ko is glad saying, “All the main paper authors are the researchers who got master and doctorate degrees in YU. Research power of YU is found to be at the world level,” and “The research team show continuously very meaningful research performances with functionalization of metallic surface as well as corrosion-resistance of materials. The technology may be used in next-generation cars, smart electronic components, energy, and recycling areas and is expected to generate high added values. We intend to concentrate endeavors in acquisition of material stability in extreme conditions, in development of creative materials having multi-functional properties including catalyst and conversion, and in technology commercialization through successive researches.” Meanwhile, Prof. Ko’s research team conducts researches with the support of the Ministry of Science and ICT, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and Ministry of SMEs and Startups.
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Donation of KRW 25 million to YU, again in one year before Lee Chan-won’s birthday KRW 45 million of “Lee Chan-won’s scholarship” in accumulation Transfer of self-filmed Lee Chan-won’s surprising thank video to YU on previous day of donation [October 19, 2021] Good-hearted influence of Singer Lee Chan-won is continued. “Lee Chan-won’s Mom Fan Club” donated KRW 25 million of scholarship to YU, his alma mater. Next to donation of KRW 20 million last year, scholarship was donated to YU for two years, before Lee Chan-won’s birthday (November 1). At 11:30 am on 19th, Chairman Oh Jun of “Lee Chan-won’s Mom Fan Club” and the members of the club from countrywide areas met President Choi Oe-chool of YU and donated KRW 25 million for students. Chairman Oh said, “The fan club agreed in preparation of a meaningful this year, too, before Lee Chan-won’s birthday. I hope that the scholarship collected with united effort of members may support YU students and that the sincerity of members may cause good-hearted influences. We will continue support of Lee Chan-won and YU in future.” Lee Chan-won heard about this donation of scholarship and expressed thanks.When hearing about the donation of scholarship, Lee Chan-won sent YU a self-filmed video letter (https://youtu.be/KJc5ceoCyzw) during recording for broadcasting in the afternoon on 18th, previous day of donation ceremony.Lee Chan-won expressed his thanks in the video, “I sincerely thank the members of the Mom Fan Club for preparing such a meaningful gift of my birthday. I want that the scholarship donated by the members is used for the juniors in my alma mater. I will always support YU, my alma mater, in future.” YU named the scholarship donated by “Lee Chan-won’s Mom Fan Club” as “Lee Chan-won Scholarship Fund” and uses it as scholarship for students. The amount of scholarship fund accumulated until now is KRW 45 million. President Choi Oe-chool of YU said, “I think Mr. Lee Chan-won plays a role to soothe tired people’s heart. Such a good-hearted influence seems to be transmitted to every place in Korea. As many persons support the university, members of the university including the students will be vitalized.” and commented with a request, “We will do our best to cultivate talents who may give good influences in our society like Lee Chan-won. Please, see with interest what we do in future.”
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President Choi Oe-chool of YU transferred “A+ Snack” in the morning on the first day of second semester mid exam. Encouragement of students distributing sandwiches, cup fruits, and beverages with Student Council [October 20, 2021] “Dear students! Take A+ Snack and acquire amazing result in exam!” At YU Central Library at 08:00 on the 20th, students formed a long line in front of library gate and reading room in spite of early in the morning. Because, President Choi Oe-chool of YU started to transfer snacks to students who came to YU early in the morning on the first day of second semester mid exam of 2021. On that day, President Choi and Student Council encouraged students who came to the library for exam study distributing cup fruits and beverages. Kim Dong-gyu (4th grade, Department of Political Science and Diplomacy), who is the President of Student Council of YU and prepared the snack project, said, “Student Council and University HQ prepared the snack project to support student studying hard. We hope all the friends get good result in the mid exam.” On that day, snack transfer was done in front of the gate of YU Central Library and east and west side of Science Library plaza. Students showed as hot responses as the snack sets for 800 students became out of stock in an instant. President Choi Oe-chool of YU encouraged students with the comment, “I think difficulties of students would be large in study due to prolonged expansion of Covid 19. When looking at the students who come and study very early in the morning skipping their meals in spite of recently chilly weather, I have the feeling of sorry but, on the other hand, feel assured. Opportunities are given to prepared persons. I hope you to the best remembering that your teachers and friends are around you to support you.”
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Placed first last year and second this year in ‘bar exam passing rate’ Took first and second place for the past 3 years to, solidifying its status as a prestigious law school Virtuous cycle structure of ‘nation’s top performance→admissions of outstanding students→fostering excellent legal professionals [October 7, 2021]] <Panoramic view of the YU Law School> YU (President CHOI Oe-chool) Law School recorded an admissions competition rate of 10.5 to 1 for the 2022 school year, thus being a slight increase from last year that was 8.6 to 1. Upon closing registration for admissions on October 1, 738 applied for the quota of 70 new students, thus recording the second highest competition rate in the nation. The average competition rate for law schools is 5.2 to 1. It was analyzed that the reason for the high competition rate was because the YU Law school achieved good accomplishments for about 10 years since it was opened, thus drawing attention of law school applicants. In particular, the passing rate for the bar exam by the YU Law School is unparalleled. YU Law School took second place in the 10th bar examinations in terms of national passing rates (for 10th Law School class). It has been ranking first and second place in the national bar exam passing rate over the past three years ranking second for the 8th bar exam and 1st in the 9th bar exam (based on the 9th admitted class), solidifying its status as a prestigious law school of Korea. YU’s high rate in earning master’s degrees is also attracting attention. When basing on all students admitted to the law school up to now from the 1st to 10th classes, YU has a huge master’s degree earning rate at 92.9% (719 students admitted/668 graduated). This is third place following Seoul National University Law School and Korea University Law School. YU Law School Dean Lee Dong-hyung said, “The reason why YU Law School was able to achieve such great results was because of the generous support of the university. I would like to thank the university for its support for the Law School despite the difficult conditions and we will do our best to offer the exceptional students admitted to YU Law School with high-quality educational services, and help them to develop into outstanding legal professionals.” YU President CHOI Oe-chool commented, “We are solidifying our law school as one of the most prestigious in the nation by continuously achieving great results since its founding such as staying in the top levels for the rate of students passing the bar exam,” and added, “YU will continue to provide support so that outstanding students will continue to apply to our law school, while constructing an education/research/administration infrastructure that can help them become excellent legal professionals.”
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College of Pharmacy Professors Park Pil-hoon and Jung Ji-heon confirms mechanism for improving the survival rate for the ‘Mesenchymal Stem Cell Spheroid’ Accelerating development of drugs that induce activation of the autophagy through follow-up research Published research paper in the internationally acclaimed journal, <Autophagy> [October 7, 2021] <Professor Jung Ji-heon (left) and Professor Park Pil-hoon (left) of the YU College of Pharmacy> A research team at the YU College of Pharmacy found a way to improve the treatment efficiency of stem cell drugs. Stem cells are being used as treatment drugs for various diseases. Among them, ‘mesenchymal stem cell’ has a number of advantages when using as treatment, and it is expected to be especially effective for treatment of degenerative neurological diseases and joint diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson's. Mesenchymal stem cell has the weakness that cell death occurs in high amounts due to various causes after transplantation, thus lowering treatment efficiency. Several studies are being conducted to overcome this limitation. When applying 3D culturing using the spheroid method in which cells are hung upside down like drops and then the cells gather on the bottom due to gravity, it has been reported that stem cell treatment efficiency improves after transplantation. However, there is nothing known about the mechanism of spheroid culturing that improves cell survival rate and treatment efficiency. The research team said, ‘It was found in this study that when culturing stem cells in the spheroid mode, ‘autophagy’, which is a self-digesting effect of cells, occurs and this autophagy significantly suppresses cell death to increase cell survival rates.It was verified for the first time that treatment efficiency was enhanced through this for the first time in a colitis treatment animal model.” This study was joined by Dr. Regmi Shobha (currently a post-doctorate researcher at Stanford University) who earned his PhD at the YU Graduate School of Pharmacy and Dr. Raut Pawan Kumar (currently post-doctorate researcher at Keimyung University) as the joint first authors, and Professors Park Pil-hoon and Jung Ji-heon of the YU College of Pharmacy as joint correspondence authors. Professor Jung Ji-heon stated, "The market for developing treatment using stem cells is expanding globally, but because of the low survival rate after cell treatment transplantation, there were difficulties in the commercialization of the stem treatment drug. The results of this study will help accelerate development of drugs that will induce autophagy activity,” while adding, “It is expected that post-cell treatment drug transplantation will improve the survival rate of stem cells and enhance treatment efficiency.” In particular, this study was the result of the convergence research of the research teams of Professor Park Pil-hoon who is carrying out ‘investigative research on the signal delivery system that adjusts cell survival and death’ and Professor Jung Ji0-heon who is engaged in the ‘research for developing drugs using mesenchymal stem cell.’ The research team plans to conduct joint research that will explain the mechanism for improving survival rates of cell drugs to establish cell treatment as a new disease treatment drug. This study was conducted with the support of the National Research Foundation new researcher support project, Ministry of Education's stage 4 BK21 project, College central research center support project (YU Cell Culture Lab), and the natural material medical material core research support center (CRCNM). The research results were released online in the internationally acclaimed academic journal <Autophagy (impact factor (IF) 16.016)> under the title ‘Improvement of Survival Rate and Functions of Mesenchymal Stem Cells for spheroid culturing through Autophagy paths.’
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Five awards including victory in the Yongjang Class Three competed in Yongjang class, sweeping first to third, demonstrating that it is the best team [September 30, 2021] <From left to right, Kwak Soo-hoon (Yeoksa class, 3rd place), Jung Tae-hwan (Yongjang, 2nd), Lee Hyeon-seo (Gyeongjang, 2nd), Jung Jong-jin (Yongjang, 1st), Lee Hyeon-seo (Yongjang, 3rd)> The YU Ssireum Team (Head Coach Heo Yong) swept medals at the collegiate level of the 35th National Jangsa Ssireum Championship, proving that it is the nation’s top team. The YU Ssireum Team had five medal winners including first place in the Yongjang class at the tournament held at the Changnyeong Citizens’ Sports Center in Gyeongnam from September 27 to 29. In particular, three competed in the Yongjang class and they took first, second and third place. Jung Jong-jin (21, Special Physical Education, junior) took first place, Jung Tae-hwan (21, Special Physical Education, junior) second place, and Lee Hyeon-seo (20, Special Physical Education, sophomore) took home third place. In addition, Lee Hyeon-seo (19, Special Physical Education, freshman) placed second in the Gyeongjang class and Kwak Soo-hoon (21, Sport Science, junior) took third place in the Yeoksa class. YU Ssireum Team Head Coach Heo Yong stated, “It was very positive that five of our athletes were placed in the top 3. We will do our best to have better results in the group and individual tournaments that are left this year.” Meanwhile, the YU Ssireum Team won the group tournament at the 58th Presidential National Jangsa Ssireum Championship and 50th National Youth Sports Tournament held in July as it maintains its top place in collegiate ssireum.
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Research achievements of undergraduate and graduate school students recognized outside of YU Swept 7 paper awards at the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers academic conference [September 29, 2021] The research capacities of students at the YU School of Materials Science and Engineering have drawn attention from academic and industrial sectors. In particular, the research capacities of both graduate school and undergraduate school students were recognized. At the ‘KIEEME Annual Summer Conference 2021’, students of the YU School of Materials Science and Engineers won a whole bunch of presentation awards. They won a total of 7 awards such as the best presentation award by Park Yang-gyu (26, 4th term in master’s degree course) at the Graduate School of Materials Science and Engineering, one team that won the best presentation award in the undergraduate sector, and five teams that won excellent presentation awards. List of winners from the YU School of Materials Science and Engineering at “KIEEME Annual Summer Conference 2021 Best presentation award Graduate school Park Yang-gyu Contents of research Impact of heat treatment temperature affecting IZTO film transistor using high dielectric hafnium oxide (HfO2) Best presentation award Undergraduate Lee Hyun-young, Lee Geon, Woo Soo-hyun, Ye Ji-won, Kim Gwang-won, Jung Sung-rok, Cho Yoon-young, Nam Ga-hyeon, Kim Ho-sung, Jung Sun-hye Contents of research A study on piezoelectric energy harvesting for automobile vibration energy conversion Best presentation award Undergraduate Jung Hee-yoon, Heo Chang-bin, Park Jong-won, Ahn Jong-sung, Kim Hyung-il, Koo Min-joo, Ji Min-seok, Lee Sun-joo, Kim Byung-hoon, Sohn Ye-seul, Park Gang-hyeon, Park Jin-seon Contents of research Property analysis according to heat treatment temperature change of HfO2 insulator films attached with RF Magnetron Sputtering Undergraduate Ye Ji-won, Lee Ji-won Contents of research A study on optical sintering of BaTiO3 tape casting post-membrane for MLCC Undergraduate Lee Seung-ah Contents of research High output of ceramic-based MME harvester Undergraduate Lee Geon Contents of research Impact of Mn doping on energy storage features of antiferroelectricity PLZT post-membrane Undergraduate Lee Yoon-bin, Song Gi-hwan, Kim Dong-hyeok, Kang Tae-wook, Lee Yoon-ji, Jung Soo-min, Kim Hye-young, Kim Yong-woon, Lee Jung-mo, Lee Joo-hyung, Choi Seung-mi Contents of research A study on enhancing durability through electrolytes of electrochromic elements Park Yang-gyu, who is currently enrolled in a master’s degree program at the graduate school won the best presentation award with his research results on <Impact of heat treatment temperature affecting IZTO film transistor using high dielectric hafnium oxide (HfO2)>. Mr. Park made a presentation on his research results for the changes in the properties of IZTO film transistors according to heat treatment temperature using rapid heat treatment (RTA) after attaching hafnium oxide, which is a core material of the gate insulation layer for thin film transistors that are crucial for semiconductors and displays at room temperature. The team of 11 undergraduate students such as senior Lee Hyun-young (23) of the School of Materials Science and Engineering won the best presentation award for undergraduates at this academic conference with <A study on piezoelectric energy harvesting for automobile vibration energy conversion> conducted as a Capstone design project last semester. The undergraduates integrated vibration energy harvesting technologies that can convert and store vibration energy common all around us into electric energy through this study. They drew attention by presenting their research achievements that confirmed the possibility for commercializing vibration energy harvesting by activating LED elements. Other students from the YU School of Materials Science and Engineering were awarded for the presentation on research achievements such as <Impact of Mn doping on energy storage features of antiferroelectricity PLZT [lead (Pb), lanthanum (La), zirconium (Zr), titanium (Ti), oxygen (O) compound] post-membrane> and <A study on enhancing durability through electrolytes of electrochromic elements>. The research of the students of the YU School of Materials Science and Engineering were on platform technologies including high-performance new materials that can be used in next-generation industries such as semiconductors, EVs, IoT, etc., and receive a significant amount of attention that they have not only academic significance, but can also be applied in actual industries. YU School of Materials Science and Engineering Dean Koh Young-geon commented, “Students have been working on their research capacities consistently through Capstone Design projects, etc. from their undergraduate years. This is the reason why both graduate school and undergraduate school students are recognized even outside of the school for their research capacities.” He added, “We will provide continuous support to offer research and education infrastructure that will lead to creative research achievements by students.”
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Contributions to national economic growth through development in the public works and construction industries... Received ‘honorary doctorate in engineering’ Rose the corporate ladder by successfully leading overseas public works and construction projects Founded Samwoo Public Works in 1991... Continued success as entrepreneur Founded Choi Hyeok-young Scholarship Foundation to ‘practice sharing’... Provided financial support and served as mentor [September 15, 2021] YU (President CHOI Oe-chool) bestowed an honorary doctorate’s degree to Choi Hyeok-young Scholarship Foundation Chairman Choi Hyeok-young (78, right on photo) at the 3rd floor Conventional Hall of the YU Chunma Art Center at 2 p.m. on the 15th. This was in response to his contributions for the growth of the Korean public works and construction industries and for the development of the national economy. Mr. Choi, from the class of ‘63 in civil engineering at YU (formerly Chunggu College), began his professional career at Shinjin Motor Group through open recruitment immediately after graduating university in 1970, and started working at Shinwon Development. He was a successful salary man in the public works and general construction industry until retiring from Samsung Construction in 1987. While working at Shinwon Development, he was dispatched to the ‘Khorramshahr Port Construction in Iran’, which was the third overseas construction project of Korea and successfully led the project, receiving a medal from the CEO and showing his excellence in the industry early on. After changing jobs to Samsung Construction in 1979, his achievements stood out even brighter. He exhibited especially outstanding capacities in winning overseas construction orders. At the time, Mr. Choi created a cost estimation manual needed for winning overseas construction bids to create the foundation for calculating overseas construction estimates. He came up with cost calculation methods and process management techniques even before the process management sector was systemized, thus contributing to corporate performance, and hinting to his unique managerial abilities. Mr. Choi left Samsung in 1987 and started his own business, which was an opportunity to show his true capacities as an entrepreneur. He founded Samwoo Public Works in 1991 as a company specializing in construction, and won numerous constructions bids such as eight blocks for expressways, eight blocks for subways, four land development sites, and two plants, as he continued his success as an entrepreneur. Mr. Choi then established Samwoo Development and Mihye Industries to expand to real estate development businesses, real estate leasing and managing businesses, and even clothing businesses, as he still continues his endless challenges. Mr. Choi has also been continuously stepping forward to practice sharing. Among them, the scholarship business is one of the projects that he is most attached to. It reflects his conviction that the most important thing for national development is ‘finding talents with proper character.’ Mr. Choi established the Choi Hyeok-young Scholarship Foundation in 2013 and has selected and supported about 300 students for scholarships at over 20 universities and high schools so far. In particular, the Choi Hyeok-young Scholarship does not stop at merely providing financial support. Mr. Choi also acts as a mentor for the scholarship students. He exchanges letters with students to share his wisdom with them and also gets together regularly for meals and meetings, thus offering both material and psychological. Mr. Choi is an alumnus of YU and he has a special affection for his alma mater and juniors. He has donated over 700 million KRW to the university as development funds including scholarships for his juniors at YU. In particular, he contributed greatly to the establishment of the YU campus landmarks such as the ‘Chunma Tunnel Fountain’ installed at the front gate of YU and the large clock ‘Big Time’ installed on the upper part of the outer wall of the YU Central Library in 2018. Mr. Choi said, “50 years ago, I was on the verge of being expelled because I was unable to pay tuition when I was in college. I was able to continue my studies thanks to the dean. I have never forgotten my appreciation for him. I promised that I would live my contributing to the school and society.” He added, “I am proud that during my corporate career and my life as an entrepreneur, I participated in many construction projects that will be remembered in the history of Korea’s development. But it is a great honor to receive this honorary doctorate’s degree despite being lacking in so many areas. On the other hand, I feel a huge sense of responsibility. I plan to continue focus more on the scholarship project during the life I have left. I will do what I can to foster talented human resources with expertise, creativity, and an innovative mindset based on strong character, and foster people who will contribute to our country and society.”
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Former National Assemblyman Kim Gwang-rim and Former Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Lee Dong-il Appointed as Special Chair Professors Top experts who served in key government positions for economy, agriculture, etc. who served as heads of major agencies Expected to pass on ‘expertise and leadership’ gained in administrative and legislative bodies to juniors [September 14, 2021] <Former National Assemblyman Kim Gwang-rim (left) and Former Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Lee Dong-pil (right) who were appointed as special chair professors of YU> YU (President CHOI Oe-chool) appointed two minister-level figures as special chair professors. They are former Assemblyman Kim Gwang-rim (73) and former Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Lee Dong-il (66). They are all alumni of YU and with their appointment as special chair professors, they will begin fostering their juniors at their alma mater. Their tenure is until August 2022. In the morning of the 14th, President CHOI Oe-chool held an appointment ceremony at the president’s reception room and appointed them as special chair professors. Special Chair Professor Kim Gwang-rim (School of Economics and Finance) is from the YU Department of Economics class of ‘69. He earned his master’s in public administration at Harvard University Graduate School of Public Administration and Seoul National University Graduate School of Public Administration, and earned his PhD in public administration at the Kyunghee University Graduate School of Public Administration. After graduating from the YU Department of Economics, he passed the public administration exam and worked at the Economic Planning Center and Finance and Economy Center, then served as the 16th director of the Korean Intellectual Property Office and Vice-minister of Finance and Economy, thus being one of Korea’s top economic bureaucrats of the Republic of Korea. He served three terms as an Assemblyman in the 18th, 19th, and 20th National Assembly, and he is an expert of economics and finances who worked both in administrative and legislative branches, working in the planning and finance committee for about 11 years. Special Chair Professor Lee Dong-pil (Department of Food Economics and Service) is from the YU Department of Livestock Management class of ‘74. He earned his master’s degree in agricultural economics at Seoul National University and his PhD in agricultural economics at the University of Missouri. He served as the 12th director of the Korea Rural Economic Institute and the 61st Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Minister Lee graduated from YU majoring in livestock management in 1978 and joined the Korea Rural Economic Institute in 1980, and is an expert on researching development directions for agriculture and rural areas for over 30 years. He worked as a working-level member of the agricultural policy review committee under the Prime Minister’s Office in 1994, full-time member of the presidential committee on regulatory reforms, chair of the regulatory review committee of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, mid-term finance task force leader in the agriculture and food sector of the Ministry of Strategy & Finance, and an expert member of the presidential committee for regional development. The two special chair professors appointed have spent decades in key government positions where they have gained practical experience and expertise, and were recognized for their leadership abilities by serving as the heads of their respective institutes. Their extensive experience and expertise are expected to be handed down directly to their journals from the podium of YU, which is their alma maters. YU President CHOI Oe-chool said, “It is a great honor to be able to have YU alumni who spent decades in government agencies that establish the major policies of the Republic of Korea, and who event headed those agencies,” adding, “I believe that the paths of the alumni right next to the development of Korea will be great motivation for students and serve as their role models. I humbly ask that alumni pass on their expertise and experiences in various fields to their juniors.”
