Promoting Interdisciplinary Collaboration for Global Saemaul Studies

Dr. Choi has played a key role in bringing together faculty from various disciplines at Yeungnam University to advance his vision of establishing the university as a global center for Saemaul Studies. Since the 2010s, he has actively promoted interdisciplinary collaboration, encouraging professors to engage in international development projects such as feasibility studies, mid-term evaluations, and post-project impact assessments.

For example, YU faculty participated in several programs in South Africa—a country where Nelson Mandela’s legacy of resilience and community empowerment continues to inspire development efforts. These included:

Saemaul On-site Training and Preliminary Survey for the 2014 Saemaul DEEP (Development Experience Exchange Partnership) Project

Capacity Building for South African Government Officials in Saemaul Undong (2015)

Invitation-based Training for South African Village Leaders at Yeungnam University (2015)

Beyond South Africa, a significant number of faculty and staff from diverse academic fields have participated in development projects at various stages—including feasibility studies, field surveys, project design, records of discussions, and post-project impact assessments—across numerous developing countries under Dr. Choi’s leadership and guidance.

Through these initiatives, faculty members have gained valuable field experience, enhancing both their teaching and research. Under Dr. Choi’s leadership, the principles of Saemaul Undong have been systematized into an independent academic discipline. By aligning faculty and staff under shared values, he has laid a strong foundation for academic and institutional growth at Yeungnam University.