Korea, Now a Developed Nation, Gives Back to Ethiopia by Nurturing Saemaul Leaders

Sharing Korea’s Development Experience… Werabe University Students and Faculty Visit YU

Saemaul Movement, Digital Education, and Cultural Experiences Lay Foundation for Strategic International Development Partnership

[July 25, 2025]

A delegation of students and faculty from Werabe University, a national university in Ethiopia, visited Yeungnam University (President CHOI Oe-chool) to learn about Korea’s development experience and the field of Saemaul Studies.This invitation is drawing attention as a practical example of international cooperation rooted in the spirit of “gratitude” toward Ethiopia, which aided Korea during the Korean War, at a time when Korea has grown into a developed nation and is now contributing to the global community.

The Institute for International Development Cooperation (IIDC) at YU hosted the 2025 Werabe University Training Program from July 20 to 25.The program was designed to strengthen mutual understanding and bonds through academic and cultural exchanges and hands-on learning, while building a strategic partnership to serve as the foundation for future international development cooperation projects.

 Werabe University, located in southern Ethiopia, has been expanding joint initiatives in Saemaul Studies, forestry, agricultural development, and digital education since signing an MOU with YU in 2022.In particular, Werabe University has been working to incorporate the Saemaul Movement into its community development strategies. With this visit, the university plans to establish a new Department of Saemaul Forestry in September, enrolling 20 freshmen, thereby solidifying bilateral cooperation in rural development and Saemaul Studies education.

 The visiting delegation consisted of nine members, including the Chief of Staff to the University President, Special Advisor to the Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dean of Student Affairs, and Director of the E-Learning Center, along with five students from the Department of Computer Science and the Department of Forestry.Their program at YU included attending classes at the Park Chung Hee School of Policy and Saemaul (PSPS), touring the university museum, science library, and Smart Education Center, and participating in various educational activities. The group also visited key sites such as the birthplace of the Saemaul Movement at the Gumi Saemaul Foundation, the Chilgok Patriots & Peace Memorial, and POSCO to study Korea’s history and development experience. Additionally, they experienced Korean nature and culture through activities such as exploring Gampo Beach, visiting a traditional market, and touring the Daegu Kansong Art Museum.

 Meanwhile, YU’s Department of Computer Science and Werabe University’s Department of Computer Science were jointly selected for the 2025 Ministry of Education Global Education Support Project. From May 2025 to January 2026, they are conducting the “EduTech Bridge Cooperation Project for Strengthening SW Education Capacity and Digital Vocational Training at Werabe University.” As part of this effort, the Korea–Ethiopia SW EduTech Forum was also held during the training program. The forum aimed to promote SW education to foster digital talent and upgrade the industrial base in Ethiopia’s Silte Zone. It served as a platform for sharing Korea’s advanced digital education models and EduTech technologies, and for building a cooperative education model between the two nations. The event is being hailed as a strategic starting point for establishing a sustainable Korea–Ethiopia digital education cooperation system.

President CHOI Oe-chool of YU stated, “Korea was once a nation that received help from the international community, but it has now grown into a developed country that shares its Saemaul development experience and growth model with the world. In particular, offering education and cooperation to Ethiopia, which shed blood to help us during the Korean War, is the most meaningful act of gratitude Korea can give.” He continued, “Although Korea’s population and land area are less than 1% of the world’s total, we achieved remarkable growth through the leadership of our people and leaders. That experience has become a valuable asset in addressing common challenges of humanity. Sharing it with the international community, especially developing nations, is Korea’s responsibility.” He added,“YU will continue to work with Ethiopia and other African countries, nurturing global talent in Saemaul Studies to help solve Ethiopia’s challenges, contribute to humanity’s shared prosperity, and fulfill the university’s role in serving the international community.”

 To date, YU’s IIDC has provided Saemaul development training programs to over 3,400 public officials and community leaders from 50 countries, contributing to increased farm income and strengthened community capacity. These programs are recognized as a practical cooperation model with developing countries.