YU President CHOI Oe-chool Pledges Saemaul Studies Partnership with Addis Ababa University

Ethiopian Deputy Minister of Education Recommends Expanding Saemaul Studies to Additional Universities

Federal Civil Service Commissioner of Ethiopia Invites President CHOI Oe-chool to Civil Service Innovation Workshop 

Contributing to Korean National Image and Global Trust in Korean Products Through Public Diplomacy 

[November 1, 2024]

<MOU Signing Ceremony with Addis Ababa University (YU President CHOI Oe-chool on the right)>

YU President Choi Oe-chool recently visited Ethiopia and signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Addis Ababa University (President Samuel), solidifying a commitment to share insights from Korea’s Saemaul Undong (New Village Movement) for rural development. The partnership aims to cultivate Saemaul experts in Ethiopia through higher education by sharing the principles, key factors of success, and values behind Korea’s transformative movement. The signing ceremony was attended by the Counselor of the Korean Embassy in Ethiopia, who expressed support for the collaboration's progress.

 As part of the MOU, YU will work with Addis Ababa University’s College of Development to establish a Saemaul Studies program, alongside a Saemaul Movement Center to conduct research and training focused on local adaptation of Saemaul principles. 

President CHOI stated, “Ethiopia is a ‘brother nation’ that sacrificed for Korea’s freedom over 70 years ago, and I believe that Koreans hold a historic responsibility to give back. Through academic exchange of Saemaul Undong, YU is striving to fulfill this duty. The fact that Haile Selassie, Emperor of Ethiopia and the founder of Addis Ababa University, deployed his elite Imperial Guard during the Korean War makes today’s signing even more meaningful.”

<From left, President CHOI Oe-chool with Deputy Minister of Education, Kora Tushune Godana>

< YU Delegation with Deputy Minister Kora Tushune Godana of Ethiopia’s Ministry of Education>

 The Ethiopian government, recognizing YU’s efforts, has pledged strong support for this collaboration. During an October 14 meeting with YU President CHOI, Deputy Minister of Education Kora Tushune Godana stated, “The success of the Saemaul Movement lies in transforming mindsets, which aligns well with our goals for higher education reform in Ethiopia. I hope YU can extend Saemaul training to other key universities that we will recommend.” 

<From left, President CHOI with Commissioner Mecuria Haile of the Federal Civil Service Commission>

<Commissioner Mecuria Haile meets with President CHOI to discuss sharing Saemaul Undong principles.>

 Earlier, on the morning of October 14, Mecuria Haile, Commissioner of the Ethiopian Federal Civil Service Commission, met with President CHOI to request Saemaul Undong insights for public service innovation. A KAIST-educated scholar and chairman of the Korea-Ethiopia Friendship Association, Commissioner Haile expressed his ongoing commitment to promoting Saemaul ideals in Ethiopia, recalling a promise he made upon his return to Ethiopia after completing his studies in Korea. “I am currently responsible for innovating the civil service at both central and local levels. I would like to invite you to an upcoming civil service innovation workshop to share the core principles and spirit of Saemaul with our officials,” he said, adding that Ethiopia’s government would fully cover the associated costs.

 In response to these requests, President CHOI stated, “I understand that YU’s Institute for International Development Cooperation (IIDC) is set to conduct a training program for senior Ethiopian officials and university leaders at the end of October. We will make every effort to share YU’s Saemaul experiences with sincerity.” He went on to explain the key factors behind the success of Saemaul Undong, as well as the challenges, and provided specific insights on talent development and utilization.

 YU has led efforts to share Saemaul Studies internationally, establishing a Department of Saemaul Economic Development at Enderun College in the Philippines in 2015, followed by similar programs at Western University in Cambodia and Samarkand State University in Uzbekistan. Starting this September, YU also launched a Sustainable Saemaul Forestry Studies program at Werabe University in Ethiopia. 

 Moreover, YU has recently received requests from more than ten countries, including Cambodia’s Royal University and Guinea’s National University, to support the establishment of Saemaul Studies departments and research centers. YU’s commitment to promoting Saemaul Studies globally is expected to enhance Korea’s international image and strengthen trust in Korean products as part of public diplomacy efforts.