Sahmyook University (President Il-mok Kim) signed multilateral MOUs with local governments, universities, social welfare facilities, civic groups, and NGOs for the successful implementation of the mid-to-long-term overseas volunteer project ‘Change the World’ in Bangladesh.

The signing ceremony was held at Jang Geun-cheong Hall of Sahmyook University’s International Education Center on May 5th was attended by Sahmyook University President Il-mok Kim, Bangladesh Kaliakoir City Mayor Mazibur Rahman, Bangladesh Adventist Seminary and College (BASC) University President Yoon-kwon Park, Mahmud Adarsh Handicapped School Principal Shamsunnahar Kobir, Kaliakoir Disabled People’s Organization Chairman Jasim Uddin, Global Support Circle (GSC) Director Kyung-chul Jeon, and representatives of six organizations attended and signed the agreement.

According to the agreement, Sahmyook University, Bangladesh Kaliakoir City, BASC University, Mahmud Adarsh Handicapped School, Kaliakoir Disabled People’s Organization, Global Support Circle (GSC), etc. agreed to cooperate for the efficient operation and business promotion of the ‘Change the World’ project.

As part of the university’s innovation support project, “Change the World” is a service-learning project that transforms communities by working with local students rather than one-sided charity service.

In January, Sahmyook University dispatched a volunteer team of 28 students, five professors, and two employees from five teams to BASC University located in Kaliakoir City, Bangladesh, for a week of △cultural exchange △medical service (Department of Physical Therapy) △improvement of environmental awareness △ Korean food experience △upcycling and intensive social contribution activities were carried out.

Notably, ‘Change the World’ is not a one-time service project but a mid-to-long-term project that will continue for the next two to three years. Sharing education, information, and experiences with local students participating in the project creates a social contribution direction that creates a foundation for self-reliance and continued volunteer service.

This summer vacation, the plan is to expand the scope of cooperation and activities beyond BASC University and into the Kaliakoir community. Thirty-three students and advisors are dispatched to local schools for the disabled to improve educational programs for children with disabilities and provide medical services (Department of Physical Therapy) and software education services.

President Il-mok Kim said, “Through this project, which will last for the next two to three years, Sahmyook University will build cooperative relationships with local universities and local communities and contribute to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). “We look forward to realizing that Sahmyook University’s vision of ‘changing the world through university education’ will come true through close communication and exchanges with Bangladesh.”