Begins four-year term after holding appointment ceremony at the YU Cheonma Art Center Convention Hall on the 1st
“Succeed and develop the founding spirit of the school... Begin a new challenge to turn crisis into opportunity”
“We will innovative college education placing utmost priority on the future of students”
[February 1, 2021]
<Appointment ceremony of Choi Oe-chool as the 16th President of YU>
Choi Oe-chool (64) was appointed as the 16th president of YU on February 1. His term will be for four years until January 31, 2025.
At 2 p.m. on the 1st, while starting his official term with the appointment ceremony at the YU Cheonma Art Center Convention Hall, YU President Choi said, “I will manage the university setting the founding spirit of YU to contribute to creating a new history of national revival as a top priority.” The university is not in a favorable situation considering the drop in school-going populations, etc. Under such circumstances, doing nothing would not maintain our current state, but be the shortcut to become obsolete.” He added, “We will actively respond to changes and take the initiative to turn crisis into opportunity by taking on new challenges. I ask all of the members of YU to participate for the innovation of the university.”
President Choi said that plans are to set detailed projects in five fields such as ▲education and students ▲professors and research ▲attracting international students ▲organization and administration ▲enactment and facilities, etc. to pursue innovation of the university. President Choi announced in his inaugural address that he will lead the university by placing greatest focus on innovation in the field of education and students.
He said, “Universities have the responsibility and duties to provide education desired by students and needed by society.” The greatest value of education should be placed on the future of students. YU will focus on nurturing students with the competitiveness to the lead the global age and the fourth industrial revolution,” while adding, “We will overhaul the curriculum and innovation education methods. We will break down the walls between academic disciplines systemized to foster standardized human resources and implement flexible academic programs to develop specialized educational programs offered only by YU.”
Choi Oe-chool joined YU in 1989 as a professor and served in major posts of the university and school foundation such as director of the External Cooperation Center, dean of the Park Chung Hee School of Policy and Saemaul, director of the International Development Cooperation Center, dean of the Graduate School of Public Administration, and chief of the Yeungnam School Foundation planning office. Outside of the university, he served as the chairperson of the Global Saemaul Development Network (GSDN), chairperson of the Korean Saemaul Association, chairperson of the Global Saemaul Forum, and the director of the Kore Regional Development Research Foundation.
Meanwhile, the inauguration ceremony held on the 1st was conducted while minimizing the number of participants to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Yeungnam School Foundation Chariperson Han Jae-sook, YU General Alumni Association Chairperson Jung Tae-il, former YU President Lee Hyo-soo, former acting YU President Kim Jin-sam, and former YU President Sur Gil-soo were in attendance to congratulate the new president of the university.
In particular, the secretary-general of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, governor and minister of innovation and technology of SNNPR (Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People’s Region), president of IPDN (Institute Governance of Home Affairs) in Indonesia who worked on global Saemaul development projects together with President Choi. Rwandan ambassador to Korea, ambassador from Cambodia, president of Enderun College of the Philippines, and other key figures from different parts of the world sent video messages to congratulate Mr. Choi.
