Visiting team of the Chairman of Foreign Affairs Committee of Cambodian National Assembly, a request for cooperation in establishment and operation of Saemaul University to YU

Establishment of Saemaul University in the center of seven regions adjacent to Tonle Sap, the lifeline of Cambodia

Proposal to train Saemaul leaders in collaboration with YU and Royal University of Phnom Penh

[September 19, 2023] 

<Sixth from the left: SUOS Yara, the Chairman of National Assembly Foreign Affairs Committee and President CHOI Oe-chool>

“Cambodia intends to write a new history with the launch of a new government. In order to achieve the goal of creating a high-income country by 2030, the most urgent need is to advance agriculture, which is the basis of Cambodia's industry, and modernize rural areas, which are the basis of life, and cultivate human resources. For this, a university was established to introduce the talent training method of the Saemaul Undong to Cambodia.We request support for the talent training know-how accumulated by YU in order to train 1,500 Saemaul experts within two years.”

In the afternoon of the 18th, SUOS Yara, the Chairman of Cambodian National Assembly Foreign Affairs Committee, visited YU (President CHOI Oe-chool), met President CHOI Oe-chool, and requested an active role in cultivating Cambodian talents.

He is currently serving as the Chairman of Cambodian National Assembly Foreign Affairs Committee, is evaluated as Cambodia's next-generation leader, and said, “The university buildings and infrastructure are already provided in Kampong Thom, the center of the seven regions adjacent to Tonle Sap, the lifeline of Cambodia. Now, the key is to characterize the university as a university to train Saemaul experts. As cooperation with the Royal University of Phnom Penh, the most prestigious university in Cambodia, is possible, we ask YU to play a leading role in cultivation of Saemaul leaders in Cambodia.

<Chairman SUOS Yara of National Assembly Foreign Affairs Committee>

President CHOI Oe-chool of YU responded, “It’s the right time for Cambodia to take a leap forward, as Cambodian government has a strong will to develop agriculture and rural areas and overcome poverty. Based on the mutual trust built over the past 10 years, I will gladly share the know-how on Saemaul Undong accumulated by YU and on development of Korea.”

This is the third visit by a high-level Cambodian team to YU. In 2014, Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Yim Chhayly and other vice ministers from major government ministries visited YU to learn about Saemaul Undong and to request advice on the establishment and operation of Saemaul University and, in February of last year, officials from major government ministries, including Cambodia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, visited YU and had discussions on Saemaul international development cooperation plans and joint degree programs.

<Chairman SUOS Yara of National Assembly Foreign Affairs Committee, fourth from the left in the front row>

Meanwhile, President CHOI Oe-chool has been advising on policies to promote various projects in the rural development field in Cambodia since being appointed as an advisor to the Prime Minister of Cambodia in 2014.Previously, in 2011, YU established YU Park Chung-hee Graduate School of Saemaul  (PSPS) and has provided support to about 50 Cambodian public officials and leaders to study for a master's degree in Saemaul Studies. The Department of Saemaul Economic Development was opened at a local university in Cambodia and the Department of Saemaul Economic Development was established through a dual degree system to provide high-quality educational opportunities.Due to such contributions, he received an honorary doctorate in education from a local university in August with the approval of the Cambodian Ministry of Education, and has continued his efforts to share Saemaul Undong with Cambodia for over 10 years.