The International Volunteer Group Program, operated by the Catholic University of Koran since 1997, won the grand prize at the “2023 University Self-Developed International Volunteer Program Performance Sharing Conference” hosted by the Korean University Council for Social Service.

The Korean University Council for Social Service solicited entries for excellent self-developed international volunteer programs from its 246 member universities, selecting one program for the grand prize, two for excellence awards, and three for encouragement awards. CUK was highly acknowledged for planning and operating a high-quality overseas volunteer program by establishing a medium-to-long-term concentrated and expansive support model in Laos, thus earning the grand prize.

Since 1997, CUK has operated the International Volunteer Group to enable students to practice social responsibility and cultivate global citizenship. Over the years, 1,200 volunteers consisting of students, professors, and staff have been dispatched to developing countries such as Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Uzbekistan, Mongolia and Cambodia during summer vacation periods. The program was temporarily suspended for three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic but resumed last year.

Last year, 56 students and faculty members of the International Volunteer Group were dispatched to Laos for 11 days to practice the globalization of sharing. The volunteers were actively involved in improving educational environments at Somsavanh Primaire School in Laos, including constructing new toilets and creating murals. In addition, they also provided educational services such as teaching Fitness, Health, Hygiene, Mathematics, Science, etc., and cultural exchange volunteer activities such as Taekwondo and K-Pop with 500 local elementary students. In 2024, 55 students and faculty members of the International Volunteer Group will be dispatched to Laos this coming July.

Dean Seo Hanseok of the undergraduate college stated, “Students participating in the international volunteer group are experiencing the value of social service and growing into global talents with leadership, based on the university’s educational ideology of Truth, Love, and Service.” He added, “We will continue to plan and operate volunteer activities that promote mutual growth for both beneficiaries and volunteers through continuous communication with local beneficiaries.”

Source: CUK