IGEE at Yonsei University

President, Yonsei University

Yonsei University is actively contributing to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through founding the Institute for Global Engagement and Empowerment (IGEE) in 2017 based on the Christian spirit and the founder's will during the last 135 years of Yonsei history. Yonsei University has consistently contributed to the social engagement sector based on our core value of 'Engagement' and was recognized as one of the world's leading engaged universities in the Times Higher Education (THE) university impact ranking.

Based on our capacity and experience, Yonsei University will continue to strive to achieve SDGs as a responsible member of Korean society and the international community. In addition, during the COVID-19 pandemic, we aim for ‘Leaving no one behind’ and sustainable community through the sharing of the Republic of Korea's best practices and knowledge of COVID-19 quarantine towards foreign countries.

Yonsei University will continue to contribute to the sustainable development of our society and the globe based on cooperation with Yonsei University Health System (YUHS) and relevant organizations by integrating our expertise and resources of the entire Yonsei University members. As Korea's leading university for social engagement, hereby asking you to co-participate in Yonsei University's proceed on truth and freedom so that we can fulfill our social responsibilities and engagement.

Chairman, IGEE

Gwanghyewon-Jejungwon, which was the beginning of Yonsei University, contained the spirit of sharing great grace and bailing out people. The practice of those who planted seeds in our barren land was obedience to spreading God’s love. Their practice was “global” because it went beyond region and culture; it was “engagement” because they achieved this work in Korean land; and it was “empowerment” because they educated Korean people to take responsibility for their own future. Korea hence could become a nation that can help other nations in need, from the nation which received aid across the globe. Yonsei University’s history itself is an example and evidence of international participation and development projects for a sustainable future.

Since 1916, Oliver R. Avison has been the principal of Yonhee College and Severance Medical School, and the two institutions shared the core values. In 1957, Yonhee College and Severance Medical School finally started anew started as “Yonsei University.” Yonsei, which originated in “Yonhee” and “Severance”, means “leading the world (延世)”, so it reflects Yonsei University’s historical identity and its accountability to this era and the world. The Institute for Global Engagement and Empowerment (IGEE) is an organization which was established in 2017 in order to responsibly implement Yonsei University’s historical identity and mission.

We face serious and urgent challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic, which has not yet ended, is intertwined with various socio-economic issues, and there are many problems that threaten humanity’s survival, such as wars, conflicts, climate changes, and earthquakes. Issues such as aging, low birth rate, and social polarization are becoming more and more prominent in Korean society. Universities can exist only when the country, society, and the world are sustainable. Therefore, the active participation of universities and universities’ human resources to solve these issues is not just a service, but an essential duty of a university, and one of the key reasons for its existence.

Innovative approaches are required for problems that could not be resolved through conventional methods. IGEE would like to share expertise and capabilities and create a network for the sustainable future of mankind, build partnerships (collaborative engagement), and deliver messages that bring constructive changes (transformative messaging). Education and research will also be conducted so that these experiences of participation can lead to sharing knowledge, not just service.

As a successful example of international development, Yonsei University desires to devote ourselves to the sustainable future. At the same time, there is the ability to face problems and challenges that still have clear solutions. However, the aspirations and abilities of Yonsei will only be fully realized when all partners engage together. Please join us in the dedication and efforts of IGEE for the sustainable future. Thank you.