African Ambassador to Sierra Leone Visits Yeungnam University to Learn 'Saemaeul'... Requests Cooperation for Establishing Saemaeul Department at Local University

Paul Sobba Massaquoi, the Ambassador of Sierra Leone to Korea, visited Yeungnam University (President Choi Oechul) on the 9th.

The visit was to discuss educational cooperation and national development between Sierra Leone and Korea, and in particular, to consult with Yeungnam University President Choi Oechul regarding the establishment of a Saemaul Studies department at a local university in Sierra Leone and the application of the Saemaul Development model, requesting cooperation.

Paul Soba Masakui, Ambassador of Sierra Leone to Korea, who visited Yeungnam University to learn about Saemaeul, is shaking hands with President Choi Oechul (left).

During the meeting with President Choi, Ambassador Paul Sobba Massaquoi said, “I was deeply impressed by President Choi’s presentation on Yeungnam University and Saemaul Studies, and listening to the content about Saemaul Studies gave me confidence in the national development strategy I have been considering. We plan to cooperate with Korean universities in various fields such as education, diplomacy, and culture. I hope to promote this program together with Yeungnam University, and as a first step, I wish to sign a memorandum of understanding with Yeungnam University as soon as possible.”

President Choi Oechul of Yeungnam University, who met with Ambassador Paul, stated, “One of the driving forces that enabled Korea, which once received aid from the international community, to become a developed country in a short period is the Saemaul Movement (Saemaul Development Policy), which is an objective evaluation by the international community. Sierra Leone is a country rich in natural resources and growth potential, and if the know-how of Yeungnam University, which has systematized the Saemaul Movement and Korea’s development experience into academic knowledge, is added, it can greatly contribute to Sierra Leone’s development. Taking today as an opportunity, we will actively work to share the theoretical and practical achievements of Saemaul Development accumulated by Yeungnam University.”

Meanwhile, following Ambassador Paul’s visit, it is expected that the establishment of a Saemaul Studies department, research institute, and training center at local universities in Sierra Leone, as well as educational programs for senior officials of the Sierra Leone central government and professors, will be actively carried out.